Metals play vital roles in biological systems, with iron/heme being essential for cellular and metabolic functions necessary for survival and/or virulence in many bacterial pathogens. Given the rise of bacterial resistance to current antibiotics, there is an urgent need for the development of non-toxic and novel antibiotics that do not contribute to resistance to other antibiotics. Gallium, which mimics iron, has emerged as a promising antimicrobial agent, offering a novel approach to combat bacterial infections. Gallium does not have any known functions in biological systems. Gallium exerts its effects primarily by replacing iron in redox enzymes, effectively inhibiting bacterial growth by targeting multiple iron/heme-dependent biological processes and suppressing the development of drug resistance. The aim of this review is to highlight recent findings on the mechanisms of action of gallium and provide further insights into the development of gallium-based compounds. Understanding the mechanisms underlying gallium’s biological activities is crucial for designing drugs that enhance their therapeutic therapies while minimizing side effects, offering promising avenues for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Crop residue burning, a common agricultural practice in wheat cultivation, has significant implications for soil health, nutrient cycling, and microbial communities. This study evaluates the effects of residue burning on soil physicochemical properties, microbial populations, and CO ₂ emissions in wheat fields across Wazha village and Sitak, Sulaymaniyah Province, Kurdistan, Iraq. Post‐burning analysis revealed a consistent shift in soil texture from silty clay loam to clay loam due to reduced silt content. Soil organic matter significantly declined from 15.63 ± 0.87 to 11.78 ± 0.28 g/kg ( p ≤ 0.05), alongside a marked decrease in magnesium concentration from 0.18 ± 0.02 to 0.06 ± 0.02 mmol/L ( p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, other parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, calcium, potassium, and nitrogen remained largely unaffected. Microbial populations, including bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, exhibited resilience, showing no significant changes in abundance. CO ₂ emissions demonstrated an initial rapid release of CO ₂ ‐C due to microbial degradation of organic matter, followed by a slower mineralization rate over time. These findings highlight the detrimental impact of crop residue burning on essential soil properties, particularly organic matter and magnesium, which are critical for maintaining soil fertility. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate the negative effects of residue burning, enhance soil health, and support long‐term agricultural productivity.

Metals play vital roles in biological systems, with iron/heme being essential for cellular and metabolic functions necessary for survival and/or virulence in many bacterial pathogens. Given the rise of bacterial resistance to current antibiotics, there is an urgent need for the development of non-toxic and novel antibiotics that do not contribute to resistance to other antibiotics. Gallium, which mimics iron, has emerged as a promising antimicrobial agent, offering a novel approach to combat bacterial infections. Gallium does not have any known functions in biological systems. Gallium exerts its effects primarily by replacing iron in redox enzymes, effectively inhibiting bacterial growth by targeting multiple iron/heme-dependent biological processes and suppressing the development of drug resistance. The aim of this review is to highlight recent findings on the mechanisms of action of gallium and provide further insights into the development of gallium-based compounds. Understanding the mechanisms underlying gallium’s biological activities will enhance its therapeutic application across various medical fields, offering promising avenues for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer, and inflammatory conditions.