The overuse of antibiotics has resulted in the worldwide problem of bacteria... that are resistant to medicine -- so-called superbugs.<br />To help medical professionals get on top of these dangerous infections, Korean researchers have come up with a new way to detect superbugs that would help save a lot of time in treating patients and stopping the spread of these infections.<br />Cho Sung-min reports. <br /> <br /> A group of researchers at Korea Basic Science Institute developed a new method to detect antibiotic resistant bacteria, also known as "superbugs" within 30 minutes. <br />The recent development is considered as a huge leap forward in the biotech sector…as properly detecting superbugs currently takes at least a week. <br /><br /> Superbugs occur when bacteria become resistant to several types of antibiotics.<br />Without timely treatment, superbugs can lead to dangerous conditions, such as pressure sore, urinary tract infection, and pneumonia. According to data, more than 5-thousand cases of infections in Korea were caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the second half of 2017.<br /><br /> The team that conceived the method says the new detecting technology omits the entire procedure of bacterial cultivation, thus saving a considerable amount of time.<br />The head researcher of the team saysstudying the proteins on the superbugs was key to the development of the technology.<br /><br /> "We came up with the technology after synthesizing antibodies to the antigenic proteins found in superbugs." <br /><br />Currently, the research team has teamed up with a health-tech company to commercialize the technology into a portable bacteria-detecting device that could be distributed in the market. <br /><br /> The firm that is working on commercializing the kit says the finished product is expected to have a massive impact on preventing the spread of bacterial outbreaks and infections. <br />Cho Sung-min arirang news. <br />
