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ifun

A New Way to Build Molecules: The Palladium Trick

October 30, 2025

Scientists have found a clever way to create special molecules called organoselenium compounds. These molecules are useful in medicine, materials, and biochemistry. The problem is that making them often requires tough conditions and doesn't work with many types of molecules. So, finding a better way

health

Fungal Hitchhikers in COVID-19 Patients: A Hidden Challenge

October 8, 2025

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors noticed something odd. Many patients fighting the virus also had fungal infections. These fungi, mainly from the Candida family, were found in the lungs and airways of COVID-19 patients more often than in those who didn't have the virus. Researche

science

How Fungi Fight Fungi: The Science Behind Leucinostatins

September 8, 2025

Purpureocillium lilacinum PLBJ-1 is a biocontrol fungus. It makes leucinostatins. These are special molecules that can kill other fungi. Think of them as natural antibiotics. But how does this fungus make them? And why does it make more in some conditions than others? Scientists found out that the

science

The Fungus That's Fighting Back: How a Tiny Gene Could Change the Game

July 21, 2025

Cryptococcus gattii is a tricky fungus that can cause serious infections, even in healthy people. Doctors rely on antifungal drugs to treat these infections, but the fungus is becoming resistant. This is a growing concern, and scientists are working hard to find new solutions. In a recent study, re

science

Aphids, Bacteria, and the Heat Dilemma

June 26, 2025

Pea aphids have a unique relationship with a bacterium called Fukatsuia symbiotica. This bacterium is passed down from mother to offspring. It helps protect the aphids from fungal infections. However, this protection comes at a cost. When temperatures rise from cool to mildly warm, aphids with this

science

Fengycin: The Natural Shield for Food and Plants

June 4, 2025

Fengycin is a natural substance produced by a type of bacteria called Bacillus. This substance is known for its ability to fight off plant diseases. It is a strong alternative to chemical antibiotics. This is because fengycin is effective, safe, and breaks down easily in the environment. These quali

science

Fighting MRSA with Smart Nano-Soldiers

May 23, 2025

MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a tough bacteria that causes nasty wounds. These wounds are hard to treat and can be a big problem worldwide. Scientists have been looking for new ways to fight these infections and help wounds heal faster. One promising method is using nanozy

science

Bee-Friendly Plant Compounds: A New Hope for Agriculture?

May 20, 2025

Coumarin is a natural compound found in many plants. It's part of a group of chemicals called coumarins. These are found in various plant families, such as Brassicaceae, Umbelliferae, Leguminosae, and Orchidaceae. Coumarin and its related compounds have shown a variety of biological effects. This ha

health

The Hidden Power of Tavaborole: A New Hope Against Superbugs

May 15, 2025

The world is facing a serious problem with superbugs, especially in hospitals. These superbugs are bacteria that can resist many types of antibiotics. One group of these superbugs is called carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. These bacteria produce enzymes that can break down antibiotics, makin

science

Plant Power: Unlocking the Secrets of Alpinia uraiensis

April 27, 2025

The plant Alpinia uraiensis is a unique species found only in Taiwan. It has been studied for its essential oils, which are found in various parts of the plant. These oils have been shown to have strong antioxidant and antifungal properties. To extract these oils, a process called hydrodistillatio