BirthaBlue4
08-17-2005, 08:00 PM
Crocodile blood may yield powerful new antibiotics
By Michael Perry
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Scientists in Australia's tropical north are collecting blood from crocodiles in the hope of developing a powerful antibiotic for humans, after tests showed that the reptile's immune system kills the HIV virus.
The crocodile's immune system is much more powerful than that of humans, preventing life-threatening infections after savage territorial fights which often leave the animals with gaping wounds and missing limbs.
© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.
FULL ARTICLE (http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2005-08-16T050539Z_01_DIT618322_RTRIDST_0_SC%20IENCE-AUSTRALIA-CROCODILE-DC.XML)
By Michael Perry
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Scientists in Australia's tropical north are collecting blood from crocodiles in the hope of developing a powerful antibiotic for humans, after tests showed that the reptile's immune system kills the HIV virus.
The crocodile's immune system is much more powerful than that of humans, preventing life-threatening infections after savage territorial fights which often leave the animals with gaping wounds and missing limbs.
© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.
FULL ARTICLE (http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2005-08-16T050539Z_01_DIT618322_RTRIDST_0_SC%20IENCE-AUSTRALIA-CROCODILE-DC.XML)
