from the files of the truly weird - platypus milk

[Ken Gargett]

there is no way this works unless they can create it synthetically. the few drops of milk a platypus exudes is hardly going to save the world. 

 

Platypus Milk Could Be the Next Big Thing in Health

Photo by ShotByRob via Getty Images

But you won’t find it in your latte

REBECCA FIRKSER 

March 15, 2018

Your barista may be on a hunt for the best non-dairy milk to use in a latte, but scientists are currently jazzed over another nontraditional milk. Research has shown that platypus milk has powerful antibacterial properties, and new study has found how these antibacterial proteins work. Scientists hope these findings can be used to fight drug-resistant superbugs.

“Platypus are such weird animals that it would make sense for them to have weird biochemistry,” said Janet Newman, author of the new study on the milk, in a statement. The study, which is published in Structural Biology Communications, involved isolating a specific antibacterial protein found in platypus milk. The study was inspired by the way platypi feed their young. Instead of feeding their babies through a teat like cows, cats, or dogs, platipi essentially sweat milk out, and concentrate it onto their bellies. The milk is exposed to potentially harmful bacteria before the young platypi can drink it. Strangely enough, the babies stay healthy. Researchers believed that something in the mother’s milk was keeping the young thriving, even though they were constantly exposed to bacteria.

The scientists recreated the protein found in platypus milk in to find that the compound has a never-before-seen 3D protein fold. They now hope to use the protein to help create more powerful antibacterial creams and pills. If all goes well, this protein (which scientists named “Shirley Temple,” due to its curly structure) could be used to fight superbugs. At a time in medicine where more and more bacteria develop resistance to antibiotic drugs, this Shirley Temple protein could work wonders when it comes to preventing persistent infections.

So while you won’t be seeing platypus milk at a cafe, the milk’s protein could show up in your prescription someday soon.

[cfc1016]

1 hour ago, Ken Gargett said:

the way platypi feed their young.

I'm so horribly pedantic. I know. I can't help it though. I have to correct the journalist. It's platypodes, or, if you must make it conform to anglican structure, platypuses. This is generally considered totally fine by linguists, by the way.

I know. I'm horrible. It's true though. Same with octopus. They're both derived from the greek 'pus' for foot (plural being 'podes'), not the latin suffix 'us' (plural being 'i').

My father was a linguist and editor, and I kept octopuses as pets. Rubs me wrong every time I see it.

 

That's really cool about the platypus milk though. Good luck they were able to synthesize the protein. I can't imagine platypus milk is easy to extract - not in any significant volume anyway.

[Ribeye]

Sure.... why not? There has been a drug for Diabetes made from Gila Monster spit for years now.

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20050429/fda-oks-lizard-spit-drug-for-diabetes

 

[JamesKPolkEsq]

12 hours ago, cfc1016 said:

I'm so horribly pedantic. I know. I can't help it though. I have to correct the journalist. It's platypodes, or, if you must make it conform to anglican structure, platypuses. This is generally considered totally fine by linguists, by the way.

I know. I'm horrible. It's true though. Same with octopus. They're both derived from the greek 'pus' for foot (plural being 'podes'), not the latin suffix 'us' (plural being 'i').

My father was a linguist and editor, and I kept octopuses as pets. Rubs me wrong every time I see it.

 

That's really cool about the platypus milk though. Good luck they were able to synthesize the protein. I can't imagine platypus milk is easy to extract - not in any significant volume anyway.

https://youtu.be/n4PWP8uL-1o

[cfc1016]

1 hour ago, JamesKPolkEsq said:

https://youtu.be/n4PWP8uL-1o

Chip chip cheerio, good lad! I’m prepared to deliver the spiel at the drop of a shilling, ya nobber!