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

Investigating Genetic Variation and Selection in Starfish Species Piaster ochraceus

Stephanie Budhan ’21 Extreme environmental disturbances, such as a natural disaster or epidemics, dramatically impact animal population survival. These events have the potential to eliminate entire species, and affect the gene pool or the frequency of certain genes within the population. However, scientists observing these natural disasters and their subsequent effects can be difficult due to their sporadic occurrence. A study conducted by Dr. Lauren … Continue reading Investigating Genetic Variation and Selection in Starfish Species Piaster ochraceus

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2017-18

Social Media User’s Opinion of Fitspiration

Stephanie Budhan ’21 Recently, a fitness trend known as “Fitspiration” has been permeating the internet, promoting a healthy lifestyle through proper exercise and diet. Fitspiration is often seen as a healthier alternative to trends such as “thinspiration” or “bonespiration,” which glorify thin bodies as well as extreme diet and exercise regimens. However, there seems to be controversy regarding the positive message of fitspiration. Some studies … Continue reading Social Media User’s Opinion of Fitspiration

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2017-18

The Relationship Between Vitamin D levels and Insulin Resistance in Obese Individuals

Stephanie Budhan ’21 Obesity, or excessive weight, is often associated with insulin resistance. The hormone insulin helps decrease the body’s sugar levels. During insulin resistance, the body cells do not respond to insulin, causing the body’s sugar levels to remain high. Insulin resistance may lead to weight gain and eventually obesity. Previous research has reported that vitamin D concentration appears to be inversely related to … Continue reading The Relationship Between Vitamin D levels and Insulin Resistance in Obese Individuals

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2017-18

Regenerative bandage fast-tracks healing

Nita Wong ’21 Diabetes, a condition affecting nearly 10 percent of Americans, often causes nerve damage that results in numbness in the hands and feet. This inability to sense pain can turn a minor cut or sore into a situation requiring limb amputation or, in severe cases, leading to death. In a recent study, researchers at Northwestern University sought to tackle this medical dilemma by … Continue reading Regenerative bandage fast-tracks healing

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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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