Ancient bacteria from 5,000-year-old ice reveals clues to fighting superbugs

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A team of Romanian scientists drilled a 25-metre ice core from the Scǎrișoara Cave in search of clues for developing new medicines. The 5,000-year-old ice yielded samples of ancient bacteria.

Laboratory analysis revealed something remarkable. These bacteria, undisturbed for thousands of years, were able to grow in a variety of harsh environments. They thrived in extreme cold and high salt levels; settings that would normally prevent bacterial growth.

The...