Articles for category: Biology & Genetics, Disease & Medicine

The Science Behind Out-of-Body Experiences During Medical Emergencies

The Science Behind Out-of-Body Experiences During Medical Emergencies

Sameen David

If you’ve ever heard someone say they watched doctors work on their body from above the hospital bed, it can sound almost unbelievable. Yet reports of out-of-body experiences during cardiac arrest, severe trauma, or near-death situations show up again and again, across cultures and decades. Many of these stories share eerily similar details: a sensation ...

Cheetah lying on a rock.

The Future of Quantum Computing in Protecting Endangered Species

Trizzy Orozco

As technology advances, its integration into various sectors promises transformative potential. One such area is wildlife conservation, where emerging technologies like quantum computing could play a crucial role. The protection of endangered species is a pressing global issue, and quantum computing offers prospects for innovations that were once merely speculative. But how exactly can this ...

Assorted colorful pills and capsules arranged on a Petri dish for pharmaceutical analysis.

Antibiotic Resistance: How Can We Combat the Growing Threat of Superbugs?

Annette Uy

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the drugs designed to eliminate them. This phenomenon has become a pressing global health issue, threatening to usher in a post-antibiotic era where minor infections could once again become lethal. Superbugs, or drug-resistant bacteria, are a particularly alarming component of this challenge, given their potential for ...

Botfly.

The Botfly Burrows Into Flesh and Grows Just Under Your Skin

Trizzy Orozco

Imagine waking up one morning with an odd, itchy bump under your skin. At first, it might seem like a simple mosquito bite, but days pass and the spot becomes more painful, swollen, and disturbingly alive. You soon discover the shocking truth: something is living beneath your skin. This isn’t the plot of a horror ...

Digitally-colorized transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image of Avian Influenza A H5N1 viruses (seen in gold), grown in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells (seen in green).

Why Viruses Aren’t Quite Alive: The Fascinating Science of Viral Life

Trizzy Orozco

Viruses occupy a gray area in the biological world. These microscopic entities have puzzled scientists for decades, standing at the intersection of living and non-living. While they exhibit some features of life, they lack others. So, why aren’t viruses considered fully alive? To answer this question, we must delve into the fascinating science of viral ...

3D rendition of the influenza virus.

Bacteria vs. Viruses: Understanding the Key Differences and Their Impact on Health

Annette Uy

Bacteria and viruses are two of the most common microorganisms that can have a profound impact on human and animal health. Despite their microscopic size, they are responsible for a wide range of diseases and infections. Understanding the key differences between bacteria and viruses is essential for effective diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. This article aims ...

A palm holding three antibiotic medicines.

The Future of Microbial Therapy: Can We Replace Antibiotics with Good Bacteria?

Trizzy Orozco

Antibiotics have long been hailed as miracle drugs of modern medicine, combating bacterial infections that once led to severe health complications and even death. However, with the rise of antibiotic resistance, there’s a growing need to explore alternative treatments. One promising avenue is microbial therapy, specifically the use of beneficial or ‘good’ bacteria to replace ...

Orange plastic bottle of antibiotic

The Mystery of Antibiotics: How Microbes Produce Natural Defenses Against Pathogens

Annette Uy

Antibiotics have revolutionized medicine since their discovery in the early 20th century, saving countless lives by combatting bacterial infections. Originally discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 with penicillin, antibiotics are naturally occurring compounds produced by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi to defend against other microbes in their environment. This biologically competitive arsenal is a wonder ...

person holding samples in the laboratory

Antibody Engineering: How Biotechnology is Advancing the Fight Against Infectious Diseases

Annette Uy

Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that play a crucial role in identifying and neutralizing foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. With advancements in biotechnology, scientists have developed methods to engineer antibodies, tailoring them for enhanced specificity and efficacy against infectious diseases. Antibody engineering is a dynamic field that combines biology and ...