To grasp the present situation, it is important to understand the past. In the heart of Japan, the Obitsu River basin in Chiba Prefecture, a silent battle is being waged. It is a fight against a sneaky enemy: Schistosoma japonicum, a parasite that causes human schistosomiasis. This di
PNH, or Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, is a unique condition. It's not cancerous, but it's a problem with your blood cells. It all starts with a genetic glitch. There's a specific gene, PIGA, that can have a mutation. This mutation creates a mutant stem cell, which is the first step in the pro
Soybeans are a big deal globally, but they face a tough enemy: charcoal rot, caused by a fungus called Macrophomina phaseolina. This disease can cause serious problems for farmers. Scientists wanted to find a reliable way to test soybean plants for resistance to this fungus without relying on field
In recent years, apple growers in Northern Italy have faced a new challenge. The usual suspects, fungi from the Acutatum complex, have been causing more trouble than ever before. These fungi are notorious for Apple Bitter Rot, a disease that has traditionally hit apples post-harvest. However, now it
Hemp and wheat are both crops that are susceptible to a nasty fungus called Fusarium graminearum. This fungus causes a disease known as Fusarium head blight (FHB). FHB is a big problem in the US, especially for hemp farmers. It's been spotted in most places where hemp is grown. The disease can ruin
Cannabis tops the list of most commonly used substances in Brazil. A recent study dug into the habits of cannabis users and how these habits link to other substance use and potential harm. Researchers looked at data from over 5, 000 people in Sao Paulo. They found four distinct groups of cannabis us
People with disabilities often face unfair treatment in healthcare. This is especially true when it comes to physical therapy. The issue is that many physical therapists aren't trained to understand and address ableism. Ableism is when people with disabilities are treated unfairly because of their c
Deep learning is shaking up the world of brain mapping. This technology is making it easier to see what's going on inside our brains. It's all about a technique called Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM). This method uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create detailed maps of brain tissue
Wheat farmers have a new ally in their fight against leaf spot diseases. A clever system has been created to spot three common wheat diseases all at once. These diseases are septoria nodorum blotch, septoria tritici blotch, and tan spot. Each of these diseases is caused by a different fungus: Parast
In the early hours of a Sunday morning, a devastating fire swept through a nightclub in the eastern town of Kocani, North Macedonia. The tragic event left 59 people dead and over 150 injured. The fire started around 2:30 a. m. during a concert by a local pop group. Authorities believe that pyrotechn
