Articles for category: Biology & Genetics, Disease & Medicine

Cheek Cells under microscope

What Happens When Cells Go Rogue Exploring How Flow Cytometry Is Helping Scientists Understand Cancer Metastasis

Maria Faith Saligumba

Cancer, a complex and often feared disease, arises when normal cells undergo genetic changes and begin multiplying uncontrollably. But the most dangerous aspect of cancer is metastasis – the process by which cancer cells spread to distant parts of the body. This ability turns local tumors into systemic threats and remains a significant challenge in ...

Researcher and microscope

Single Cell RNA Sequencing A Game Changer in Understanding Disease at the Cellular Leve

Maria Faith Saligumba

In recent years, scientific advancements have transformed our understanding of diseases, particularly at the cellular level. One revolutionary technology making waves in the field of genomics and cell biology is Single-Cell RNA Sequencing (scRNA-seq). This technique allows researchers to study the genetic activity of individual cells, providing unprecedented insights into cellular diversity and function. Practical ...

Delia antiqua maggots at Allium porrum.

Maggots Are Nature’s Clean-Up Crew — And Sometimes a Medical Tool

Trizzy Orozco

It’s almost impossible not to shudder at the mention of maggots. These squirming, wriggling larvae evoke a gut reaction—sometimes horror, sometimes disgust. Yet, beneath their unsettling appearance, maggots perform miraculous feats that most of us overlook. They not only help nature recycle life but have also played a surprising role in saving human lives. What ...

Pile of logs sitting in the middle of a forest.

How Deforestation Can Lead to the Spread of Infectious Diseases

Trizzy Orozco

Deforestation is a rapidly escalating global issue with implications that reach far beyond biodiversity loss and carbon emissions. It’s a process that both directly and indirectly facilitates the spread of infectious diseases. This article delves into the multifaceted ways through which deforestation acts as a catalyst for disease proliferation, impacting both human and animal populations. ...

Monkeys sitting on top of a large leaf.

The Role of Wildlife Reserves in Preventing Animal Diseases

Trizzy Orozco

Wildlife reserves, also known as conservation areas or sanctuaries, play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species. These protected areas serve as a sanctuary for animals, providing them with a natural habitat where they can live and breed without the threats posed by human activities such as deforestation, poaching, and urban encroachment. ...

person in brown long sleeve shirt with white bandage on right hand

How Can We Improve Global Vaccine Access to Fight Deadly Diseases?

Annette Uy

Vaccines are one of the most effective tools in combating infectious diseases and have saved millions of lives. However, despite their availability, there remains a significant disparity in vaccine access between high-income countries and low- to middle-income countries. To address this issue and improve global health, it is crucial to understand the reasons behind this ...

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing (ESBLs) Enterobacteriaceae bacteria: Escherichia coli.

The Hidden World of Microbes: How Bacteria Shape Our Health and Environment

Trizzy Orozco

Microbes form an invisible network of life that influences our health, environment, and even the global climate. This hidden world encompasses bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that inhabit nearly every part of our planet. Despite their microscopic size, these organisms play pivotal roles in ecosystem functions and human well-being. Let’s explore how bacteria, in ...

Bacteria sample

Can We Grow Brains in Labs? The Ethics of Mini-Minds in Petri Dishes

Maria Faith Saligumba

Imagine peering through a microscope and seeing tiny clusters of living brain cells pulsing and connecting in a swirling dance—created not by nature, but by human hands in a laboratory. This isn’t a scene from a science fiction movie; it’s one of the most astonishing breakthroughs in modern neuroscience. Today, scientists are growing miniature brain-like ...

Army scientists energize battery research

The Frozen Zoo: Where DNA Is Stored to Save Future Species

Maria Faith Saligumba

It sounds like something out of science fiction: a vault filled not with gold, but with the essence of life itself—cells, eggs, sperm, and even entire genomes of endangered and extinct species, frozen in time. Yet this is no fantasy. Welcome to the Frozen Zoo, a pioneering effort where hope and science intertwine to fight ...