Articles for category: Biology & Genetics, Disease & Medicine

a close up of a blue substance on a metal surface

20 Ways Animals Are Helping Us Find New Treatments for Human Diseases

Maria Faith Saligumba

Animals have always played a crucial role in advancing medical science. By studying their physiology, behavior, and genetics, researchers can uncover new treatments for human diseases. From understanding complex neurological disorders to discovering potential cancer therapies, animals have provided insights that might otherwise remain obscured. This article explores 20 exciting ways animals are helping researchers ...

A plastic model of a human heart laid on a textbook.

How Dr. Daniel Hale Williams Performed the First Successful Open-Heart Surgery

Trizzy Orozco

In the annals of medical history, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams stands out as a pioneering figure who bravely ventured into the uncharted territories of heart surgery. At a time when surgery was rudimentary at best and often carried out without anesthesia, Dr. Williams’s achievement in performing the first successful open-heart surgery was nothing short of ...

Digital representation of chemical structures

The Discovery of Antibacterial Compounds by Dr Dorothy M Crowfoot Hodgkin

Maria Faith Saligumba

Dr. Dorothy Mary Crowfoot Hodgkin was an exceptional British chemist, renowned for her groundbreaking work in the field of X-ray crystallography. Her scientific insights led to profound discoveries, including significant contributions to understanding the structure of important biochemical substances. Over the years, her research had a remarkable impact on various scientific domains, including the discovery ...

Person holding syringe

Careers in Pharmacology: How Drugs Are Developed to Fight Disease

Annette Uy

Pharmacology is a vital field in biomedical science focused on the discovery, development, and testing of drugs. It plays a critical role in understanding how chemicals interact with biological systems to treat diseases. Careers in pharmacology not only contribute to health sciences but also offer a plethora of opportunities for individuals passionate about drug discovery ...

The Mississippian Collapse: What Happened to America’s Forgotten Civilization?

The Mississippian Collapse: What Happened to America’s Forgotten Civilization?

Trizzy Orozco

Imagine a thriving civilization hidden in the heart of ancient North America—vast cities, towering earthen mounds, bustling markets, and intricate social networks. Yet, within just a few generations, this world faded into silence, leaving behind mysterious ruins and haunting questions. This is the story of the Mississippian people, whose civilization once rivaled the great societies ...

Mice, animal testing

The Early Animal Testing of Penicillin: How Mice Helped Save Millions of Lives

Annette Uy

Penicillin, famously known as the “wonder drug,” marked a turning point in the field of medicine, catalyzing the development of antibiotics that would save millions of lives. Its discovery is credited to Alexander Fleming in 1928 when he noticed that the mold Penicillium notatum had antibacterial properties. While the initial discovery was accidental, it unveiled ...

Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, Insulin, diabetes

The Discovery of Insulin by Dr. Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin and Its Impact on Diabetes Treatment

Annette Uy

Insulin’s discovery marks a pivotal moment in medical history, revolutionizing the treatment of diabetes, a chronic condition affecting millions globally. While many great minds contributed to its discovery, Dr. Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin’s structural analysis using X-ray crystallography significantly enhanced our understanding of insulin. Her work complemented the initial discovery by Canadian scientists Frederick Banting and ...

3D graphical representation of a number of Rotavirus virions, set against a black background.

How Climate Change Affects Disease Spread Solutions for Preventing Malaria and Zika

Maria Faith Saligumba

Climate change, a phenomenon characterized by global temperature increases, altered weather patterns, and rising sea levels, poses a significant threat to ecological systems across the globe. Beyond its environmental impacts, climate change has profound effects on human health, particularly through the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria and Zika virus. As climates become warmer ...