Drought spurs rise in antibiotic-resistant soil microbes

A new Caltech study indicates that drought increases the abundances of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in soils, which directly correlates with an increase in antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals. In other words, regions experiencing high aridity—hotter, drier regions—also experience higher levels of antibiotic-resistant infections. The work demonstrates the interconnectedness of climate, environment, and human health.