Dirt may one day be better than soap for keeping harmful bacteria at bay.
Arizona scientists have found a host of anti-microbial minerals in mud that could result in unconventional but effective antibacterial creams. Antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" would be primary targets of these new medicinal clay formulations.
The researchers collected 20 different clay samples from all over the world. They identified three clays that appeared to kill or substantially reduce growth among all the tested bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant types.