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, Psychology

Erasing Fear via Reconditioning of the Brain

by Rideeta Raquib ’19 Fear is an unpleasant emotion that can cause someone to be afraid. Although a small amount of fear has been evolutionarily helpful to organisms for preventing predation, too much fear can be mentally harmful. In fact, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorders can negatively impact the daily lives of many people. A study conducted by neuroscientists from the University of Cambridge, Japan, and … Continue reading Erasing Fear via Reconditioning of the Brain

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2016-17, Medicine and Physiology

Potential Oral Anti-Malarial Medication Developed

  By Richard Liang   Malaria is still a potent threat in regions across the globe despite attempts at mass drug administration. Existing drugs that limit its transmission are difficult to distribute and administer in large groups. An orally administered drug would be most efficient, but oral drugs are often too rapidly metabolized by the digestive system to be effective. In a recent study led … Continue reading Potential Oral Anti-Malarial Medication Developed

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2016-17, Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience

NeuroGrids for Minimally Invasive Diagnosis

    By Richard Liang Monitoring the electrophysiological signals in the brain is critical for diagnosing and treating neurological diseases. The closer a sensor is to the neurons, the more accurate and precise the readings of neuronal activity can be. While sub-dural electrodes can be placed on the surface of brain tissue, issues like local tissue damage, hemorrhages, and infections can be detrimental to patient … Continue reading NeuroGrids for Minimally Invasive Diagnosis

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2016-17, Biology

Using Nanomaterials for Safer Embolization

An embolism is a blockage in the blood vessel that can potentially by very detrimental if not treated quick enough. By Richard Liang During many medical procedures, the embolization of vascular tissue is necessary to close wounds and seal ruptured blood vessels. However, many embolic agents have complications, such as toxicity, breakthrough bleeding, and extensive streak artifact, which put patients with hemophilia, or clotting issues, … Continue reading Using Nanomaterials for Safer Embolization

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2016-17, Biology, Health

The Connection between Weight Gain Patterns and Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis treatment, research has shown, may be related to weight gain among patients By Caleb Sooknanan     Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial disease that harms the lungs. One of the most common symptoms of infection among tuberculosis patients is weight loss, with treatments known to incite weight gain and nutritional recovery. Dr. Mimi N. Phan and researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in … Continue reading The Connection between Weight Gain Patterns and Tuberculosis

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2016-17, Biology, Health, Medicine and Physiology

Identifying Bacteria with MALDI-TOF MS Methods

By Caleb Sooknanan Detecting microbial agents that cause bloodstream infections is a common task in clinical microbiology laboratories. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has become one of the most effective bacterial identification methods in recent years, but the corresponding kit for preparing samples is very expensive. This limits the potential use of MALDI-TOF MS in clinical settings. Dr. Shota Yanetani and researchers … Continue reading Identifying Bacteria with MALDI-TOF MS Methods

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2016-17, Biology, Genetics, Health

The Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Coxsackievirus A16 in Peru

By Caleb Sooknanan These are the most likely trees of coxsackievirus A16 isolates based on the full-length VP1 and VP4 sequences.             Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) is an RNA virus that often affects young children and causes rashes and ulcerating blisters. The epidemiology of CVA16 is mostly unknown. Dr. Gladys Carrion and researchers from US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 — along with the Peruvian … Continue reading The Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Coxsackievirus A16 in Peru

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2016-17, Biology

Wearable Patch Increases Tolerance of Peanut Allergens

by Patrick Yang ’20   Consuming a tiny sample of peanuts can induce life-threatening anaphylaxis in a person with peanut allergies. Peanuts are the most prevalent allergens, accounting for approximately 16 percent of the allergies that Americans suffer from. Incidence rates are only rising, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Although some children are able to outgrow their allergy, a decisive cure … Continue reading Wearable Patch Increases Tolerance of Peanut Allergens

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2016-17, Interview

Interview with the Undergraduate Biochemistry Society

This past week, one of our Cabinet Members, Benjamin Kerner, sat down with the President of the Undergraduate Biochemistry Society, Janki Patel, to learn more about their mission at Stony Brook.   B: What is the mission statement of your organization? J: So for undergrad biochem society, our goal is to basically foster a community for students that are interested in biochemistry and any of … Continue reading Interview with the Undergraduate Biochemistry Society

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2016-17, Biology

Rapidly Detecting Wound Bacteria

by Michael D’Agati ’18   Infections caused by wounds are a health concern for many people around the world. If treated incorrectly, these infections can cause major health problems for those affected. Treatments that can reduce the severity of the infections depend on rapid and timely detection of the infection-causing bacteria. In the past decade, previous attempts at creating biosensors for detecting wound bacteria have suffered … Continue reading Rapidly Detecting Wound Bacteria

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2016-17

Brain Connectivity Can Predict Occurrence of Placebo Effect

by Patrick Yang ’20   The placebo effect has consistently stumped the scientific community because it provides an effective treatment based on a patient’s belief, rather than a scientific reason. Instead of disregarding the placebo effect, Dr. Pascal Tétreault of Northwestern University and his team aimed to discover the biological context and the predictability of placebo response in chronic pain patients. Since some patients exhibit the … Continue reading Brain Connectivity Can Predict Occurrence of Placebo Effect

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2016-17, Engineering

Paper-based Electrochemical Biosensor

by Michael D’Agati ’18   An electrochemical biosensor is a type of sensor that can provide quantifiable information based on the relationship between electricity and an identifiable chemical change inside a human, such as a glucose sensor that uses electrical means to detect change. Recently, paper-based devices have grown in the development of electrochemical applications because of their simplicity, low cost, and smaller usage of laboratory … Continue reading Paper-based Electrochemical Biosensor

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