US scientists uncover new antibiotic from soil samples
By analysing DNA from over 2,000 soil samples, New York-based scientists have discovered a new class of antibiotics capable of killing disease-causing bacteria. Called malacidins, the antibiotic managed to kill drug-resistant skin infections in animals by attacking the bacterial cell wall. Researchers noted at least 2 million Americans get drug-resistant infections while 23,000 die each year.