Category: Medicine and Physiology

Biology, Cellular and Molecular Science, Disease, Health, Medicine and Physiology, Molecular Biology

Watching Muscles Heal: A Zebrafish Model for Regeneration

Author: Diego Javier, Class of 2026 Muscle regeneration is a nuanced and important area of study in understanding how muscles recover from injury. Researchers have been trying to develop therapies for muscle-related diseases, and some have used zebrafish as a model organism given their ability to regenerate their heart and skeletal muscles. In order to study muscle regeneration. Eric Paulissen, in the lab of SBU … Continue reading Watching Muscles Heal: A Zebrafish Model for Regeneration

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Health, Health and Medicine, Immunology, Medicine and Physiology

Protein Packaging: How Filamentation Regulates the Activity of a Key Metabolic Enzyme

Author: Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Figure 1. Painting representation of large biological molecules found within the bloodstream, including lipoproteins, which store triglycerides, and antibodies The metabolism of various lipids, such as triglycerides, within the body plays an incredibly important role in providing energy for crucial cells, such as those contained within the heart and other muscles. These metabolic processes are primarily catalyzed by metabolic … Continue reading Protein Packaging: How Filamentation Regulates the Activity of a Key Metabolic Enzyme

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Disease, Health, Health and Medicine, Medicine and Physiology

Mild Gut Inflammation Can Impact the Developing Brain

Author: Diego Javier, Class of 2026 Figure 1. X-Ray of a newborn with highlight regions displaying areas affected by NEC Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an intestinal disease that affects around 10% of premature infants in the United States, resulting in either infant mortality or long-term developmental problems such as learning disabilities and behavioral problems in babies that do survive. While it is known that severe … Continue reading Mild Gut Inflammation Can Impact the Developing Brain

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Health, Health and Medicine, Immunology, Medicine and Physiology

Booze or Sugar? How do stress and dependent mice choose between the two addictive substances? 

Author: Kang Lai, Class of 2026 Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a significant health problem, affecting more than 35 million Americans, diagnosed by the DSM-5. Despite such high prevalence, few medications exist that can effectively treat AUD. The neurobiological mechanisms influencing key reward-seeking areas such as the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegumental area of the brain still remain unclear to this day. A common feature … Continue reading Booze or Sugar? How do stress and dependent mice choose between the two addictive substances? 

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Health and Medicine, Medicine and Physiology

Augmenting Ultrasounds with Artificial Intelligence to Advance Wound Healing

Author: Amal Bilal, Class of 2028 Chronic wounds, or wounds that demonstrate abnormal repair due to a deficient healing process, pose major healthcare challenges worldwide. These wounds can lead to pain, infection, hospitalization, surgery, and, in the worst cases, amputation. Therefore, early identification of whether a wound is healing properly is crucial for adjusting treatment plans, reducing side effects and costs, and ultimately improving patient … Continue reading Augmenting Ultrasounds with Artificial Intelligence to Advance Wound Healing

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Health, Health and Medicine, Medicine and Physiology, Pharmacology

Science and GAC: How Scientific Inaccuracies Have Been Used to Shape Policy

Laura Ladekarl. Class of 2025 Gender-affirming care (GAC) has been increasingly accepted all over the world, including social transition support, puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries. At the same time, there has been a rise in legal restrictions on the same care for minors. Dr. Wuest from Mount Holyoke College and Dr. Last from Stony Brook University argue that these bans are deliberately produced using … Continue reading Science and GAC: How Scientific Inaccuracies Have Been Used to Shape Policy

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Health, Health and Medicine, Medicine and Physiology, mental health, Pharmacology, Uncategorized

SCIENCE AND GAC: HOW SCIENTIFIC INACCURACIES HAVEBEEN USED TO SHAPE POLICY

Laura Ladekarl, Class of 2025 Gender-affirming care (GAC) has been increasingly accepted all over the world, including social transition support, puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries. At the same time, there has been a rise in legal restrictions on the same care for minors. Dr. Wuest from Mount Holyoke College and Dr. Last from Stony Brook University argue that these bans are deliberately produced using … Continue reading SCIENCE AND GAC: HOW SCIENTIFIC INACCURACIES HAVEBEEN USED TO SHAPE POLICY

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2024-25, Cellular and Molecular Science, Health and Medicine, Medicine and Physiology

Implementation of Nitric Oxide Protein and Signaling Pathways for Prevention of Bacterial Infection in Medical Implants

Eimaan Bilal, Class of 2028 Many individuals rely on medical implants to improve their quality of life, but such internal devices are prone to bacteria attaching to the implant’s surfaces. This can create a biofilm that produces an exopolysaccharide matrix, increasing one’s risk for certain chronic infections and resistance to antibiotics. It has been hypothesized that biofilm regulation could be achieved by targeting how biofilms … Continue reading Implementation of Nitric Oxide Protein and Signaling Pathways for Prevention of Bacterial Infection in Medical Implants

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2024-25, Health, Health and Medicine, Medicine and Physiology, well-being

Are Low-Income Consumers Informed about the Health Risks of Processed Foods?

Eimaan Bilal, Class of 2028 The amount of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in developed countries has been rising, contributing to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. The World Health Organization suggests limiting UPF consumption, due to their high concentrations of fat, salt, and sugar. However, past studies have shown that socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals with lower income and education are likely to adhere … Continue reading Are Low-Income Consumers Informed about the Health Risks of Processed Foods?

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2024-25, Biology, Fluid Mechanics, Medicine and Physiology

The Heart-The Clock of the Human Body

Author: Sajia Athai, Class of 2026 Figure 1. Accurate measurements of a fluid model are critical to the development of medical device design. The vessels in the heart work like the hands of a clock. Sometimes the vessels become impacted, like a clock with a depleted battery. Patients with cardiovascular disease often fear the blood clotting mechanism called thrombosis because it can induce vascular injury … Continue reading The Heart-The Clock of the Human Body

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2024-25, Computer Science, Health and Medicine, Medicine and Physiology, Technology

Surgery Unlocked: Revolutionizing Surgical Training Through Gaming

Author: Tiffany Ang, Class of 2025 Figure 1: Healthcare professionals use virtual reality simulations to practice dexterity and visual-spatial skills for medical procedures to boost confidence and mitigate knowledge gaps.  Gaming science is increasingly integrated into medical education to enhance learning and skill development. Games inherently include gamification elements, such as point systems, that foster active learning and have the potential to improve knowledge retention … Continue reading Surgery Unlocked: Revolutionizing Surgical Training Through Gaming

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2024-25, General Neuroscience, Health, Health and Medicine, Medicine and Physiology, mental health, Technology

Algae Consumption: An Unexpected Boost to Video Game Performance

Author: Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Figure 1. Image depicting various marine algae species, namely Chorda filum and Cladophora glomerata. Video games have always been considered by many as just a trivial hobby. Yet, in recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of video game streaming, especially in competitive settings. Consequently, in such competitions, players need to prioritize factors like attentiveness and … Continue reading Algae Consumption: An Unexpected Boost to Video Game Performance

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