Linking Stress with Poor Cancer Prognosis

Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Stress is a common response many experience amidst various physical, emotional, or psychological challenges. Beyond its significant short-term impacts, chronic stress has been demonstrated to impact cognitive function as well as the health of various systems within the body, including the immune system. Cancer patients in particular often fall victim to chronic stress, which, in turn, has been associated with … Continue reading Linking Stress with Poor Cancer Prognosis

Flavonoids to the Rescue: Combating Age-Related Neurodegeneration

Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Neurodegeneration, which is often associated with aging, leads to the development of serious diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, that afflict more than 50 million people worldwide. In addition to their devastating impact, neurodegenerative diseases are particularly problematic regarding their prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment. One of the primary factors underlying the development of neurodegenerative diseases is mitochondrial dysfunction. This … Continue reading Flavonoids to the Rescue: Combating Age-Related Neurodegeneration

Do Signals in the Brain Control Our Taste Preferences?

Kang Lai, Class of 2026 Our perception of taste profoundly influences our calorie intake and food preferences, and even serves as a defense mechanism from harmful substances. The gustatory insular cortex, a key brain region associated with taste, is closely linked to eating patterns and disorders. While neuronal circuits in this region have been studied, its neurochemical signaling remains obscure.  The Maffei lab at Stony … Continue reading Do Signals in the Brain Control Our Taste Preferences?

Pixels to Prognosis: Using AI for Neuroradiologic Analysis

Kaylie Huang, Class of 2027 The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is one of curiosity and contention, as studies have shown its potential in early detection and prevention through near-perfect analysis of medical images. Researchers from the Department of Radiology at Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) investigated the accuracy of AI interpretations of CT head angiograms, or imaging of the brain’s blood vessels, … Continue reading Pixels to Prognosis: Using AI for Neuroradiologic Analysis

Sizzling Steak On The Perfect Iron-Cast Pan: A Meat Lover’s and Anemic’s Dream Meal

Sajia Athai, Class of 2026 Scrolling through TikTok and finding mukbangs and cooking vlogs of young adults making steak and eggs has now become the norm. Everyone loves a good steak, especially if they’re iron-deficient and love meat. Research reveals that using iron cast pans can increase the amount of iron people consume from their foods, leading to positive impacts on iron supplementation. Led by … Continue reading Sizzling Steak On The Perfect Iron-Cast Pan: A Meat Lover’s and Anemic’s Dream Meal

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

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?

Unlocking Gut-Boosting Benefits of Fermented Foods

Tiffany Ang, Class of 2026 Gut microbes, often referred to as psychobiotics, play a key role in regulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This bidirectional pathway facilitates a constant relay of information between the gut and the brain. Fermented foods, such as yogurt, kimchi, and natto, are rich in beneficial gut microbes and microbial metabolites that can be leveraged to target this axis. Their affordability and widespread … Continue reading Unlocking Gut-Boosting Benefits of Fermented Foods

Food Fairness: The Impacts of Nutritional Health Disparities on Pregnant Populations

Jaenai Tercius, Class of 2028 Access to healthy food is important for maintaining good health. Among pregnant women, this helps ensure proper fetal development. Health issues from poor nutrition during pregnancy can also have long-term consequences for the baby’s health. For example, malnutrition during pregnancy can lead to complications such as low birth weight. In 2024, a study conducted by researcher Jamie Murkey and his … Continue reading Food Fairness: The Impacts of Nutritional Health Disparities on Pregnant Populations

Online Gaming: Is it a beneficial social space for everyone?

Author: Asher Agarwal, Class of 2027 Figure 1. A person playing Fortnite on a Nintendo Switch. Online gaming, an activity played with others via the internet, is popular across all ages, abilities, and genders. Recently, research has been delving into the positive effects of gaming, such as the correlation of online gaming with social well-being. Researchers from NTNU Social Research, the University of Agder, and … Continue reading Online Gaming: Is it a beneficial social space for everyone?

Lipid Accumulation Found as a Mechanism of Cellular Senescence in Parkinson’s Disease

Author: Asher Agarwal, Class of 2027 Figure 1. A man assisting an old patient with taking their medication. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with neuronal death, specifically of the dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the region of the brain responsible for motor coordination and control. The death of these neurons, most commonly due to aging, causes a classic triad of symptoms: bradykinesia (slow … Continue reading Lipid Accumulation Found as a Mechanism of Cellular Senescence in Parkinson’s Disease

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