Author: Young Investigators Review

The Young Investigators Review is Stony Brook University's undergraduate-oriented, all-inclusive science journal. Founded in 2008, our mission is to provide the student community with a way to learn more about the research currently being done on-campus by their faculty and fellow peers. We feature articles that span all fields, from Physics to Neuroscience, as well as original student research reports straight from the campus laboratories. Our journal offers aspiring talented future researchers and physicians a way to hone their science writing skills and spread word of their experiences to inspire incoming students to think about devoting their futures to the various fields of science.
2017-18

Time-restricted eating shows weight loss potential

Nita Wong ’21 As obesity rates in the United States continue to increase, research regarding various types of diets has likewise intensified. The latest study, conducted by scientists from the University of Illinois at Chicago and published in the journal Nutrition and Healthy Aging, points to daily fasting as an effective means by which to reduce weight and lower blood pressure. Time-restricted eating confines an … Continue reading Time-restricted eating shows weight loss potential

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2017-18

Moderate consumption of alcohol linked to cardiovascular benefits

Nita Wong ’21 Nearly 85 years after the end of Prohibition, alcohol remains a controversial topic. While the excessive consumption of alcohol may disrupt communication pathways within the brain and damage the heart, liver, and pancreas, consumption in moderation can protect the heart from coronary disease. While the biochemical basis of the latter correlation has long remained a mystery, a recent study conducted by researchers … Continue reading Moderate consumption of alcohol linked to cardiovascular benefits

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2017-18

Fish Oil May Contain Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis

By Sahil Rawal ‘19 Atopic dermatitis is an autoimmune disease brought forth by various interconnected genetic and environmental factors. This disease is caused by various cytokines that promote the development of other B cells, mast cells, etc., which plays an important role in the onset of dermatitis. One treatments currently utilized is corticosteroids, but its long-term outlook could create negative effects in patients. Studies have … Continue reading Fish Oil May Contain Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis

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2017-18

Cemiplimab Found to Be Viable Treatment for Cutaneous Squamous-Cell Carcinoma

By Sahil Rawal ‘19 Cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma is one of the most common skin cancers, and approximately 8500 people died from it as recently as 2012. A majority of patients who are diagnosed with this type of cancer are cured by surgery, but a small percent of patient are not because of metastasis or the tumor being unaffected by surgery. Since some of the markers … Continue reading Cemiplimab Found to Be Viable Treatment for Cutaneous Squamous-Cell Carcinoma

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2017-18

The Effects of the Gut on Fruit Flies’ Lifespans

By Caleb Sooknanan ‘20 Aging and chronic diseases are often associated with effects such as metabolic and oxidative stresses, inflammation, and mitochondrial deficiencies. Scientists have suggested that changes in organisms’ gut microbiota relate to specific gut phenotypes, while probiotics can be ingested to regulate chronic disease progression in conjunction with microbiota changes. However, more research is needed to understand how gut microbiota could be attributed … Continue reading The Effects of the Gut on Fruit Flies’ Lifespans

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2017-18

Electric Fields Can Recover Fresh Water from Fog

By Caleb Sooknanan ‘20 Over 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water worldwide, and for many coastal regions with little or no rain and expensive water transportation measures, water only appears in dense fog layers. Fog collection or fog harvesting techniques have become useful for extracting water from these regions, with some systems mimicking natural collection mechanisms within animals and plants. Most fog … Continue reading Electric Fields Can Recover Fresh Water from Fog

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2017-18

The Use of Sugar Glass Scaffolds for 3D Printing

By Caleb Sooknanan ‘20 Three-dimensional (3D) printing — a form of additive manufacturing — involves the joining and solidification of material to create objects from computer files. Glasses made of sugars or carbohydrates have become practical materials for printing more complex structures, such as organs, because of their stiffness and durability. These sugar glass materials can be positioned in layers or freeform paths that utilize … Continue reading The Use of Sugar Glass Scaffolds for 3D Printing

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2017-18

Harmful Effects Found in a Common Household Additive

By Anna Tarasova‘19 Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial chemical frequently used in household products, including toothpastes, soaps, and toys. Because it is so common, the overwhelming majority of the population comes into contact with it almost every day. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found TCS in approximately 75% of urine samples of individuals tested in the United States. TCS is also among the … Continue reading Harmful Effects Found in a Common Household Additive

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2017-18

Determining the History of the Earth’s Orbit

By Anna Tarasova‘19 Milankovitch cycles are an established part of geological theory that describes the long-term effects of changes in the movements of the Earth on its climate. Specifically, these cycles describe the relative positions of planetary bodies and the resulting exposure of the Earth to sunlight. However, Milankovitch cycles are only reliable in describing climate change over limited time periods within the last 50 … Continue reading Determining the History of the Earth’s Orbit

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2017-18

First Human Trial of Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

By Anna Tarasova‘19 The therapeutic potential of stem cells has been widely examined by many researchers for more than two decades. Neurodegenerative damage is one of the areas in which the use of multipotent neural precursors (NPCs) has proven particularly useful. Although the use of human-derived NPCs in treating chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) has only been examined in animal models, Phase I and II … Continue reading First Human Trial of Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

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2017-18

Mobilizing Courts in the Fight Against Climate Change

By Meenu Johnkutty ‘21 Attempts to amend national attitudes towards climate change have been at the forefront of the climate change movement. The recent movement to involve the national court system may prove effective in mitigating the future effects of climate change, especially in regard to coal pollution and the risk it poses to public health. A study conducted by Dr. Sabrina McCormick from George … Continue reading Mobilizing Courts in the Fight Against Climate Change

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2017-18

Understanding the “Matthew Effect”

By Meenu Johnkutty ‘21 The most decorated and well-known scientists of our time may share an underlying characteristic: early career success. For those striving for prestige and world renown, achieving success early in one’s career may breed an environment conducive to further success. Thus, scientists who boast the same academic credentials, work ethic, and drive may find themselves outperformed by counterparts who achieved early career … Continue reading Understanding the “Matthew Effect”

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