Breastfeeding can be a challenge for many new moms, regardless of where they live. However, a new study from the University of Missouri highlights a unique struggle faced by mothers in rural America: a lack of access to support systems and information. As a result, rural moms are more likely to stop breastfeeding within the first few days or weeks compared to their urban and suburban counterparts.

Like all new mothers, women in rural areas want to ensure their babies are getting enough nourishment — but without proper guidance on breastfeeding best practices, it can be difficult to gauge.

There is an urgent need to understand the underlying principles that govern antibiotic effectiveness. By exploring these principles, we can pave the way for designing future generations of antibiotics with a reduced risk of resistance. In this work, we found that antibiotics targeting bacterial membranes while simultaneously inhibiting an additional cellular pathway are key for reducing bacterial resistance. This rational dual target approach offers a promising solution to one of the most critical global health challenges.