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A compound found in the blood of the giant panda may hold the secret to fighting the next wave of global super bugs, say Chinese scientists. Studies at the Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University have found that the animals produce a powerful antibiotic, called cathelicidin-AM, capable of killing both standard and drug-resistant strains of various bacteria and fungi. Scientists have already artificially synthesized the compound, eliminating the need to harvest it directly from the endangered animal. Only 1,600 giant pandas remain in the wild and they are notoriously bad at breeding, especially in captivity.
