A collection of 5 posts
Molecules with antibiotic properties have been around long before mankind recognized their usefulness in preventing and treating bacterial infections. In the 20th century we began mass-producing antibiotics, mainly synthetic derivatives of naturally produced antibiotic molecules. Since then, antibiotics have routinely been used for different purposes in the fields of medicine,
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Human activities have substantially altered ecosystems. This means that all kinds of organisms now have to cope with different stressors, such as global warming, pollution, invasive species, and habitat destruction. We already know that such alterations cause a loss of biodiversity, bringing countless species to the verge of extinction. To
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Diabetes, known since ancient Egypt as the "sweet disease," was once treated with starvation — limiting patients to just 240 calories a day (roughly half the size of a Snickers bar). In 1921, insulin was discovered in dog pancreases, sparking a revolution in insulin production from pigs and cows.
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Phytoplankton are tiny organisms floating in lakes, rivers, and oceans, yet they are responsible for producing over half of the oxygen we breathe. While forests often get all the credit, these microscopic life forms are quietly shaping the planet. They form the base of aquatic food webs, help regulate the
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Oomycetes are fungus-like eukaryotes that pose a significant threat to freshwater environments as they can infect freshwater animals like crayfish and salmon. Salmon farmers have reported up to 50% of their stock being lossed due to infections by Oomycetes. Conventional methods of controlling such infections often involve using harmful chemicals.
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