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David Brenner: A new weapon in the fight against superbugs
About this film
Since the widespread use of antibiotics began in the 1940s, we've tried to develop new drugs faster than bacteria can evolve — but this strategy isn't working. Drug-resistant bacteria known as superbugs killed nearly 700,000 people last year, and by 2050 that number could be 10 million — more than cancer kills each year. Can physics help? In a talk from the frontiers of science, radiation scientist David Brenner shares his work studying a potentially life-saving weapon: a wavelength of ultraviolet light known as far-UVC, which can kill superbugs safely, without penetrating our skin. Followed by a Q&A with TED Curator Chris Anderson.
Directors & creators
TED.com
Subjects
Tedtalks;TED;Talks;bacteria;health;illness;innovation;medicine;public health;science;virus;TED2017;2017
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