The above illustration depicts a molecular model for a carbapenem drug. The carbapenem group of antibiotics is the last resort for antibiotic-resistant infections and is approved for children. But carbapenems are not widely used because they're expensive, they're administered by IV — and doctors are concerned that bacteria could develop resistance to these antibiotics. Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library/Getty Images hide caption
With an antimicrobial resistance epidemic looming, some researchers are looking to solutions in molecular de-extinction. altmodern/Getty Images hide caption
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), depicted above in yellow and surrounded by cellular debris, is a staph bacterium that resists treatment by many common antibiotics. The image is from a scanning electron micrograph. NIH/NAID/IMAGE.FR/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images hide caption
Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic antibiotics were frequently prescribed to seriously ill patients, even though the disease is caused by a virus. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption
Muhammad Zaman, author of the new book Biography of Resistance: The Epic Battle Between People and Pathogens, in his lab at Boston University. Jackie Ricciardi/Boston University hide caption
Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria — rod-shaped bacteria in this tinted, scanning electron microscope image — are found in soil, water and as normal flora in the human intestine. But they can cause serious wound, lung, skin and urinary tract infections, and many pseudomonas strains are drug-resistant. Science Photo Library/Science Source hide caption
Scientists are exploring new drugs that can fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA. Rodolfo Parulan Jr./Getty Images hide caption
Children in the study were given a twice-yearly dose of the antibiotic azithromycin. Researchers found that their mortality rate was significantly lower than that of untreated children. Science Stock Photography/Science Source hide caption
Cattle eating a mixture of antibiotic-free corn and hay at Corrin Farms, near Neola, Iowa. Their meat is sold by Niman Ranch. Dan Charles/NPR hide caption
Researchers tested sewage across Europe, including in Germany, where this treatment plant is located, for bacteria with resistance to antibiotics. B&M Noskowski/Getty Images hide caption
Scientists have isolated a molecule with disease-fighting potential in a microbe living on a type of fungus-farming ant (genus Cyphomyrmex). The microbe kills off other hostile microbes attacking the ants' fungus, a food source. Courtesy of Alexander Wild/University of Wisconsin hide caption
A customer holds a McDonald's Big Mac. The fast-food giant, one of the world's biggest beef buyers, has announced plans to use its might to cut back on antibiotics in its global beef supply. Environmentalists are applauding the commitment. Christoph Schmidt/Picture Alliance via Getty Images hide caption
Humans would do better to accept many of the life forms that share our space, than to scrub them all away, says ecologist Rob Dunn. Basic Books hide caption
Antibiotics are widely overprescribed for the common cold. Doctors' concern for patient satisfaction ratings may be one reason. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption
Colored transmission electron micrograph of a section through an Escherichia coli bacterium. This rod-shaped bacterium moves via its hair-like flagellae (yellow). Kwangshin Kim/Science Source hide caption
The old advice seems to hold true: Drinking lots of water helps prevent urinary tract infections. Nawarit Rittiyotee/EyeEm/Getty Images hide caption
In the 1950s, the poultry industry began dunking birds in antibiotic baths. It was supposed to keep meat fresher and healthier. That's not what happened, as Maryn McKenna recounts in her new book. Express/Getty Images hide caption
A newly detected type of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria (in red) has acquired genes that make it more deadly. Science Source hide caption
This is a color-enhanced transmission electron micrograph image of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium that causes gonorrhea. David M. Phillips/Science Source hide caption
On the list of pathogens (from left): Staphylococcus aureus (causes skin infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (causes blood infections, pneumonia, infections after surgery) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (causes the sexually-transmitted disease gonorrhea). NIAID; Scott Chimileski and Roberto Kolter, NIH Image Gallery/Flickr; NIAID hide caption
Heat and steam from your shower or shave can rob medicine of its potency long before the drug's expiration date. Angela Cappetta/Getty Images hide caption