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.
2016-17, Biology

Fat Metabolism Activated by Brain Hormone

By Rideeta Raquib ’19 The central nervous system is essential in regulating different parts of the body. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), a neuromodulator, has been related to feeding and metabolizing, as well as burning fat. Biologists at the Scripps Research Institute set out to identify a neuropeptide ligand and its cognate receptor that makes up the 5-HT neuroendocrine axis. The study was conducted on a roundworm … Continue reading Fat Metabolism Activated by Brain Hormone

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Figure 1. VO2, vanadium dioxide, is a metal that can conduct electricity without conducting heat.
2016-17, Chemistry

Vanadium Dioxide Conducts Electricity, But Not Heat

By Megan Tan ‘19 Thermal and electrical conductivity need to be proportional in electrical conductive solids. Although several metals can conduct electricity better than they can conduct heat, this phenomenon has only been known to occur at extreme temperatures. However, a recent study led by Professor Junqiao Wu from the University of California, Berkeley and his team of researchers has found that metallic vanadium dioxide … Continue reading Vanadium Dioxide Conducts Electricity, But Not Heat

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2016-17, Biology, Medicine and Physiology

Hearing Restoration Via Gene Delivery

By Rideeta Raquib ’19 Inner ear disease disrupts a key sense of hearing for many people worldwide. However, gene therapy can treat inner ear disease if reagents are introduced into appropriate cells. A group of researchers from Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Hospital managed to effectively restore hearing in mice by utilizing gene therapy. The inefficacy of vectors transferred into hair cells is a … Continue reading Hearing Restoration Via Gene Delivery

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2016-17, Psychology

Psychopaths May Have Lower than Average Intelligence

by Megan Tan ’19 It is questionable whether psychopaths have a higher or lower IQ than the average human. Previous researchers have investigated the relationship between psychopathy and IQ because there are links to antisocial behavior, violence, and criminal involvement. However, the results have been inconsistent: some studies have demonstrated a negative relationship between the two, whereas others have demonstrated a positive one. To clarify … Continue reading Psychopaths May Have Lower than Average Intelligence

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2016-17, Health

Chicoric Acid Supplementation May Prevent Memory Loss

Patrick Yang ’20 Chicoric acid, a common component in chicory and edible plants, such as lettuce and basil, is a known antioxidant that has anti-HIV and anti-obesity qualities. It can also reduce inflammation caused by high-fat diets and is rapidly distributed to tissues, including the brain, after ingestion. Because of its anti-inflammatory trait and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, it may be able to … Continue reading Chicoric Acid Supplementation May Prevent Memory Loss

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2016-17, Biology

Inhibition of RAD51 Repair Protein Enhances Radiotherapy

Patrick Yang ‘20 Despite intensive radiotherapy and treatment, glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, is often fatal. It is widely believed that a subgroup of glioblastoma cells, called glioblastoma stem cells, is responsible for treatment resistance because the cancer’s DNA damage response is localized in these cells. The discovery and manipulation of the mechanism for the upregulation of DNA damage response in glioblastoma stem … Continue reading Inhibition of RAD51 Repair Protein Enhances Radiotherapy

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2016-17, Medicine and Physiology

New Blood Test Detects Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Patrick Yang ’20 Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), commonly known as the human form of mad cow disease, is a neurodegenerative condition that is transmitted from infected cattle to humans. The disease’s long incubation stage allows for an asymptomatic period when prions, or infectious proteins, multiply in the brain with no sign of infection. On average, infected individuals die one to two years after onset of … Continue reading New Blood Test Detects Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

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2016-17, Psychology

Having Older Siblings May Change Symptoms of Autism

By Amanda Ng ’17 Children of all ages, regardless of their development, are affected by their relationships with their siblings. This is also true of children with autism, a life-long disorder that causes social deficits. Although autism can cause children to have trouble interacting in social settings, some previous research has suggested that having siblings can increase their social communication skills, causing them to act … Continue reading Having Older Siblings May Change Symptoms of Autism

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2016-17, Health

Research on the presence of carcinogenic compounds in Nigerian smoked fish

by Aaradhana Natarajan ’20 Smoked fish makes up nearly 61% of the dry fish produced in Nigeria. While smoking is a common technique for meat preservation, wood smoke typically produces Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs), which then saturate the fish meat. Professor Isioma Tongo and researchers at the University of Benin in Nigeria studied the concentration of PAHs in four local species of smoked fish and … Continue reading Research on the presence of carcinogenic compounds in Nigerian smoked fish

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2016-17, Psychology

Authenticity is Key for Successful Relationships

By Amanda Ng ’17 Past research has been consistent in acknowledging the importance of open communication in relationships. However, it is often debated whether self-expression must be authentic to benefit the relationship, or whether a perception of authenticity is enough. Research in this field has shown that authenticity is positively linked with attachment security and caregiving responsiveness. However, this work has depended largely on an … Continue reading Authenticity is Key for Successful Relationships

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2016-17, Biology

Study examines the effect of exosomes on osteochondral regeneration

by Aaradhana Natarajan ’20 Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are effective in osteoarithritic repair of bone cartilage. Currently, the efficacy of stem cell treatments has been ascribed to the exosomes released by the MSCs. Dr. Zhang and researchers at the National University of Singapore recently investigated the ability of MSC exosomes to treat osteochondral defects. Researchers created osteochondral defects on the trochlear grooves on the … Continue reading Study examines the effect of exosomes on osteochondral regeneration

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2016-17

Anxious Anxiety Related to Financial Stress Vulnerability

By Amanda Ng ’17 Past research has shown that for most people, financial stress can lead to certain maladaptive behaviors, such as negative feelings or aversion of this stress altogether. However, some individuals seem to be more susceptible to financial stress than others. Psychologists have explored several theories concerning this susceptibility, one of which involves analyzing an individual’s level of attachment anxiety and higher levels … Continue reading Anxious Anxiety Related to Financial Stress Vulnerability

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