Gray mold is a big problem for pear farmers. This mold, caused by a fungus called Botrytis cinerea, can ruin entire harvests. This leads to huge financial losses for farmers. Scientists have been looking for ways to stop this mold. They found a promising solution in a tiny helper called Streptomyces
In Africa, a significant number of people are grappling with a bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori. In 2022, over half of adults and nearly half of children were affected by this infection. The real concern is that many of these infections are resistant to a common antibiotic called clari
There are many types of fungi that live in the soil and help trees grow. These fungi are called ectomycorrhizal fungi. They form a partnership with the roots of trees. They help trees absorb water and nutrients from the soil. In return, the tree provides the fungi with sugars made through photosynth
Lisianthus plants in Vietnam face a tough enemy: Fusarium wilt. This disease is caused by various Fusarium species, and each has its own level of nastiness. Scientists wanted to figure out which species are the most harmful. They also looked for natural defenders among local soil bacteria, specifica
When kids get a lung infection from Mycoplasma pneumoniae, it can sometimes lead to serious blood clots in the lungs. This is a rare but important issue that doctors need to watch out for. A group of 36 young patients, mostly boys, experienced this complication. They were all around 7 or 8 years old
Imagine if a common drug could make kidney transplants even safer. Azithromycin, a drug used to fight infections, might just do that. It has a secret power: it can calm down the immune system. This is huge for transplants, as the immune system is the body's defense mechanism that can sometimes attac
Citrinin, or CIT for short, is a nasty toxin that can be found in many foods we eat every day. It's in cereals, spices, nuts, and even some fermented foods. The good news is that when we cook these foods, the amount of CIT goes down. But why? And what happens to it? Scientists have been looking int
Vancomycin is a popular antibiotic, but it has a dark side. It can harm kidneys, and the risk goes up with higher doses. Even when doses are within the safe zone, some folks might still face kidney trouble. This is especially true for those with certain risk factors. Researchers took on thi
Climate change is causing a lot of problems. One of them is the spread of a fungus called Coccidioidomycosis. This fungus is found in the soil. It causes a disease called Valley Fever. It is a big deal because it can make people very sick. The fungus is spreading because of climate change. The fungu
Yeast, a tiny organism, is helping scientists understand a big mystery: how a common drug, Gemfibrozil, works to lower fat levels in our blood. This drug, known for its ability to activate a specific protein called PPAR-α, has a significant impact on how our bodies handle lipids, or fats. However, t
