Fed2 Star - the newsletter for the space trading game Federation 2

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by ibgames

EARTHDATE: October 9, 2016

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REAL LIFE NEWS: MANUKA HONEY COULD HELP FIGHT HOSPITAL INFECTIONS

by Hazed

A particular type of rather expensive honey, Manuka honey, could be a powerful weapon against infections in hospitals.

The honey comes from Australia and New Zealand and it is produced exclusively from nectar of the Manuka tree. Healthy eating types have promoted it as being good for you, and it’s been labelled a “wonder food” – a buzzword that has no actual meaning. It’s a lot more expensive than regular honey which is probably why clean eating freaks have seized on it as something special.

Studies in the past have found it contains various chemicals which could have antibacterial qualities. In fact, honey generally was used to treat wounds and infections historically, before the discovery of antibiotics.

In the latest study, run by researchers at Southampton University, it has been found that using a solution of Manuka honey to clean medical equipment reduces the ability of bacteria to accumulate on surfaces by more than 75%.

That could significantly reduce the risk from bacterial infections, particularly in those who have to use a catheter, thousands of whom suffer urinary-tract infections each year.

The researchers used a solution of honey and distilled water, creating a range of concentrations at varying strengths, then applied the solutions to bacterial cultures. They found that the Manuka honey strongly inhibited the bacteria’s “stickiness”, which then prevented them from clinging to medical equipment.

It sounds very promising, although it might lead to people with a sweet tooth trying to lick the medical instruments…

It’s a shame this study didn’t come out before the honey was found oozing down the walls of the hospital in Wales that I told you about a few months ago, otherwise they might have been able to put it to good use! Although that honey was probably not the expensive mono-floral kind so may not have had the same effect.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/09/27/manuka-honey-could-fight-off-deadly-infections-in-hospital-equip/

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