By Joshua Place, DVM Scientists, though experts on their specific area of study, may not be familiar with the quirks of the animals they use as their models. Understanding reproduction, complex medical treatments, and providing the appropriate environmental enrichment of an animal model in a way that minimally impacts study results is a crucial part … Continue reading Moving Science Fur-ward: The Work of Lab Animal Veterinarians
Author: lionstalkscience
Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Rare Skin BlistERing Disease
By Coryn Hoffman The skin, or the epidermis, is the largest organ in your body, but have you ever thought about the structural components that allow your skin to stay intact? Cell-cell junctions are critical for maintaining the integrity of the epidermis, which protects your body from dehydration and external elements such as infection, physical … Continue reading Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Rare Skin BlistERing Disease
People Died and Nobody Paid Attention
By Rachel Kang Introduction The Castro District, known locally as The Castro, was one of the first gay neighborhoods in the United States. It transformed from a predominately working-class neighborhood to a hotspot of LGBTQ+ activism in the 1970s. Gay men flooded the streets, dancing, smiling, and proud to be who they were and to … Continue reading People Died and Nobody Paid Attention
If you give a mouse medical marijuana…
By Victoria Vernail If you give a mouse medical marijuana… Could it treat cancer? Does it minimize pain? Can it decrease anxiety? Does it lower blood pressure? The Penn State College of Medicine (COM) is trying to answer these questions and more through the Medical Marijuana Academic Clinical Research Center (MMACRC). This collaborative research effort … Continue reading If you give a mouse medical marijuana…
Five-Time Apocalypse Champion, the Tardigrade, Shares Its Secrets (And Maybe Saves Some Lives)
By Kalynn Alexander What’s smaller than a grain of salt, thrives at extreme temperatures, and is the only animal able to survive exposure to the cold vacuum of outer space - and how is this creature now propelling new developments in biomedical research? The tardigrade has already spiked the interest of many people worldwide with … Continue reading Five-Time Apocalypse Champion, the Tardigrade, Shares Its Secrets (And Maybe Saves Some Lives)
What does she see in that serial killer? The psychology of morbid curiosity
By Savannah Moscon & Rebecka Serpa You are scrolling online and see a breaking news article with a large “GRAPHIC CONTENT” warning. Do you click on the link? You may be surprised to learn that the graphic content warning is often the hook that draws people in to read the article. The fascination that people … Continue reading What does she see in that serial killer? The psychology of morbid curiosity
“I’m simply saying that life, uh.. finds a way”
By Paige Elizabeth Bond Famous birth scene of velociraptor in Jurassic Park (1993). {Spoiler Alert} Bringing back the dinosaurs did not go well for people… in all seven movies [1]. Don’t worry, scientists haven’t brought back the dinosaurs... yet. Instead, researchers are working on developing new ways to understand reproduction through a genetically engineered … Continue reading “I’m simply saying that life, uh.. finds a way”
Robust and Efficient Dose-Response Curve Estimation for Drug Discovery
Xinying Fang, Ph.D. candidate in Biostatistics In drug development, it is very important to understand how the dose of a drug relates to its effectiveness, a relationship known as the dose-response curve. Scientists often use a formula called the median effect equation to understand this relationship, but there are some issues with using a simple … Continue reading Robust and Efficient Dose-Response Curve Estimation for Drug Discovery
The Cavendish Clones – How the Billion Dollar Banana Industry is on the Verge of Collapse
By Sarah Latario The bunch of bananas you bought at the grocery store this week are genetically identical to the ones you ate last month. The bananas imported into the United States and sold in most stores are all clones from a single banana tree, which originated in south China in 1826. This variety, called … Continue reading The Cavendish Clones – How the Billion Dollar Banana Industry is on the Verge of Collapse
Lab Grown Meat: An Environmental Alternative?
By Hannah Johnson It has become increasingly common to see meat substitute options in restaurants and grocery stores. Brands producing these options, such as Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat, are becoming commonplace. These alternatives are produced from plant-based proteins and, while providing a good alternative for those with vegetarian and vegan diets, do not completely … Continue reading Lab Grown Meat: An Environmental Alternative?
Lions Talk Science 