Articles by Katharina
Fungi Are The Deadliest Agricultural Pest That You Don’t See
What do turkeys and bananas have in common? While they are indeed tasty, both also happen to be especially susceptible to… fungi. No, it’s not some mutant giant mushroom on a rampage that you should be worried about, but rather the toxic chemicals that some species of fungi produce. Mom was definitely right when she warned you against eating those colorful mushrooms growing in your backyard as a kid. Here’s how these toxic fungal chemicals—or mycotoxins—affect us more than we might think. […]
The Immune System: Our Personal Security Detail
Have you ever wondered why we get fevers when we’re down with the flu? The immune system is a highly complex and efficient system of cells that carry out specific processes at a molecular level. Each one of these processes relies on another, working 24/7 to keep you feeling fine. This also means that when something goes wrong, the fragility of the entire system can be exposed. We explore the workings of our immune systems by zooming into our micro security detail. We’d need an electron microscope to count our bodyguards! […]
Superbugs 1 Humankind 0 – Pharma Giants Abandoning Antibiotics R&D
So, you’re a little under the weather. “Nothing too serious”, says your doctor, as she prescribes you a course of antibiotics. “You should soon be well.” But what if your symptoms continue to get worse, and your medication doesn’t work? This is a scenario that 2 million people are confronted with every year in the U.S. alone. The cause for this public health issue is the rise of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, or ‘superbugs’. […]
