Scientists Are Fighting Drug-Resistant Bacteria in Space with Silvery Shield

https://www.space.com/space-station-superbugs-silver-lining.html ^ | 03/19/2019 | By Hanneke Weitering

[BenLurkin]

While living in space weakens astronauts' bodies, microbes can thrive in the zero-gravity environment, growing stronger and even developing resistance to antibiotics.

To help minimize the spread of germs on the International Space Station, researchers have developed a new type of antimicrobial coating made of silver and ruthenium and tested it on one of the yuckiest surfaces inside the space station — the toilet door.

Having coated the door to the space toilet with the new substance, known as "AgXX," the space station astronauts tested the surface for bacterial growth three times over the course of 19 months. After the first six months, the AgXX-coated surface remained bacteria-free. Six months later, nine strains of bacteria were found there, and three more strains were discovered by the end of the study.

Although it didn't stay germ-free in the long term, the AgXX-coated surface had 80 percent fewer bacterial strains than the control for this study, an uncoated area of bare steel. For comparison, a coating of pure silver — a metal long known for its antimicrobial properties — reduced the number of bacteria by only 30 percent compared to the plain steel.

[ArtDodger]

Might cause one to think that microbes and the like know more about living in space than humans..

[Rebelbase]

Must be difficult to wash one’s hands in zero gravity.

[MrEdd]

I’m pretty sure that they know more about living in humans.

[conservativepoet]

We use colloidal silver and it works.

[InsidiousMongo]

Would make one mighty expensive ass gasket for a toilet seat.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BenLurkin. This could almost be a panspermia ping for the X-Planets list. :^)

[wally_bert]

Dr. Who episode of The Invisible Enemy comes to mind.

[DocRock]

bookmark

[Buckeye McFrog]

Tonight's feature on Monster Chiller Horror Theater is The Silver Ty-D-Bol Man Conquers the Space Bacteria starring Dick Wilson, Jane Withers, House Peters, Jr. and Doreen Tracy.

[Brooklyn Attitude]

Not sure about ruthenium but silver is not a very good antimicrobial.