By Emily Haar Six years have passed since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the initial COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and daily life came to a screeching halt across the globe. Despite the return to normalcy in more recent years, many individuals are still living with long-term consequences of this disease, especially those who have … Continue reading Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): An Unexpected Consequence of Long COVID
Health
The Bittersweet Science of Missing Home
By Ceyda Yalcin Everyone has experienced that strange nostalgic feeling that shows up in small moments: hearing a familiar song, craving a hometown meal, or realizing no one around you recognizes the earlier version of you. Homesickness doesn’t hit all at once, but it lingers between excitement and uncertainty, often catching you off guard. What … Continue reading The Bittersweet Science of Missing Home
Not a Death Wish – An Immune Response: How Ants Fight Disease
By: Habiba Abdelhalim In many animal societies – including humans! – illness can affect more than just the individual that becomes sick. Diseases can spread rapidly amongst members of a group, especially when animals live closely together. Humans regularly implement strategies to mitigate this spread: we stay home when contagious, avoid sick people, and sometimes … Continue reading Not a Death Wish – An Immune Response: How Ants Fight Disease
Rotavirus vaccine is safe for infants exposed to Crohn’s disease medications in utero
By Christina McAninch Figure 1. The orally administered Rotavirus vaccine. Source: Rotarix Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is a leading cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants and young children. Before there was a vaccine (Figure 1), almost all children would get … Continue reading Rotavirus vaccine is safe for infants exposed to Crohn’s disease medications in utero
The Search for a Universal Snake Antivenom
By Arrienne Butic In 2001, avid snake collector Tim Friede embarked on a mission that was equal parts bold and dangerous – in a bid to obtain immunological protection from his venomous reptilian charges, he began dosing himself with snake venom. Over a 17-year period, Friede injected himself with venom more than 850 times and … Continue reading The Search for a Universal Snake Antivenom
In the brain of the beholder: the neurocognitive basis of hallucinations
By: Zekiel Factor Humans, like all animals, instinctively rely on the assumption that the sensations we experience such as touch and sight reproduce reality. Touching a hot stove activates temperature sensors in the skin that convey pain and trigger reflexive hand withdrawal; an object moving quickly in our peripheral vision draws our gaze to enable … Continue reading In the brain of the beholder: the neurocognitive basis of hallucinations
GLP-1s are everywhere, but why?
By: Ceyda Yalcin You’ve probably heard of Ozempic, or semaglutide: the celebrity-endorsed, weight-loss drug that has taken the world by storm. Originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes, these medications, scientifically known as glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), are now being explored for their potential to treat a range of conditions from substance use disorder to … Continue reading GLP-1s are everywhere, but why?
Friends, Food, and Fighters: How Biotics Shape Your Microbiome
By: Jenny Lausch As humans, we are composed of more bacterial cells than human cells.1 These bacteria take up residency in our mouth, skin, and intestines from the day a person is born and establish a cooperative relationship with their human host that allows them to persist over time. These co-evolved strains make up the … Continue reading Friends, Food, and Fighters: How Biotics Shape Your Microbiome
Creatine Isn’t Just for Muscles — It’s for Your Brain, Body, and More
By Jessenia Chavez What if one of the most studied supplements in sports science… wasn’t just for athletes? Creatine has long been associated with gym-goers and bodybuilders looking to pack on muscle. But a growing mound of research shows that its benefits extend far beyond the weight room. From improving brain energy metabolism to supporting … Continue reading Creatine Isn’t Just for Muscles — It’s for Your Brain, Body, and More
How does music affect your brain? The neuroscience of your favorite tunes.
By Vanshika A. Patel Have you ever wondered how a favorite song can lift you up when you're down or transport you back in time? Music has a remarkable power to engage emotions, evoke memories, and even affect our well-being. Recent studies in neuroscience investigate the complex relationship between music and the brain, showing how … Continue reading How does music affect your brain? The neuroscience of your favorite tunes.
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