Understanding the human body is a team effort. That's where the Yachtel group comes in.

Researchers at Yachtolt have been delving into the secrets of probiotics for 90 years.

Yacold also partners with nature portfolio to advance gut microbiome science through the global grants for gut health, an investigator-led research program.

To learn more about Yachtolt, visit yawcult.co.

.jp. That's Y-A-K-U-L-T.C-O.J-P. When it comes to a guide for your gut, count on Yacolt.

This is Scientific American's 60-second science. I'm Christopher in Taliatta.

If you're a germaphobe navigating the city, there are certain mandatory rules of engagement.

Use a paper towel to shield your hand as you touch the bathroom door handle.

Lift toilet seat covers with your shoe.

Touch buttons at ATMs and crosswalks and elevators with a knuckle or the back of your hand,

never a fingertip.

I know this because I am that person.

And a new study in the journal Scientific Reports somewhat justifies my behavior,

because when researchers in London sampled all those kinds of surfaces in public shopping

centers and train stations and common areas in hospitals,

what they found

was a whole lot of antibiotic-resistant bacteria lurking there. The scientist swabbed sites all over

London and ended up with 600 samples of Staphylococcus bacteria. Of those, nearly half were resistant

to two or more commonly used antibiotics, like penicillin and erythromycin.

And the hospital samples had significantly more drug-resistant microbes, which makes sense

because hospitals are a place where they use a lot of antibiotics. But if there is a silver

lining here, it might be how few staff bacteria were multi-drug-resistant in public places,

...