The Heart’s Shear Stress
Author: Sajia Athai Class of 2026 Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death globally. With new surgical techniques promoting less invasiveness in the human body, doctors and scientists have realized that there is much more to delve into regarding the heart. Scientists are now exploring models allowing for insights of how fluidity functions in the arteries. One study in particular delineates the … Continue reading The Heart’s Shear Stress
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
Celestial Maps: A Newly Discovered Method of Navigation in Bogong Moths
Author: Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Figure 1. Clustering formation of bogong moths following migration Many different species of animals have been observed to perform migratory travels for a variety of reasons, including searching for food, being influenced by changes in climate, or finding a safe breeding ground. These animals do so using unique methods of navigation–some may learn from previous generations’ migration patterns. In … Continue reading Celestial Maps: A Newly Discovered Method of Navigation in Bogong Moths
Color or Chemistry? How Tiny Isopods Use Multiple Defenses to Outsmart Predators
Author: Diego Javier, Class of 2026 In nature, color is used by animals as a defense mechanism to ward off predators, signifying whether they are poisonous or dangerous to eat. This type of warning coloration is known as aposematism, a strategy seen across many species including monarch butterflies and isopods, tiny crustaceans that hide under damp soil and rocks. This idea was explored by Professor … Continue reading Color or Chemistry? How Tiny Isopods Use Multiple Defenses to Outsmart Predators
Booze or Sugar? How do stress and dependent mice choose between the two addictive substances?Â
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?Â
The Ethics of Animal Use in Research
Author: Antonia Truta, Class of 2028 Is the use of animals in research for human benefit morally justified? If so, how can experiments maintain ethical integrity while still advancing scientific goals? Professor Marcel Mertz at Hannover Medical School and a diverse range of colleagues, including scientists, philosophers, and legal scholars, explore these questions with a focus on animal models in research. The emerging field of … Continue reading The Ethics of Animal Use in Research
Vasoconstriction and Heat Stress on Cattle
Author: Maegan Diep, Class of 2029 Figure 1. An image of a cow. Fescue toxicosis (FT) is a common condition brought about by endophyte bacterium-infected varieties of tall fescue plants. While beneficial to the plant, it is harmful to the cattle that consume the plant. In consequence, vasoconstriction, or the narrowing of blood vessels, is a common symptom associated with FT, harming their cardiovascular systems. … Continue reading Vasoconstriction and Heat Stress on Cattle
COVID-19 and Maternal Stress on an International Level
Author: Maegan Diep, Class of 2028 Pregnant women are among the many groups negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Encountering several stressors including social isolation, financial difficulties, and an increase in domestic violence, pregnant women are especially at risk for mental health issues. Exposure to stress during pregnancy can have numerous detrimental effects for both the mother and the infant. The mother becomes vulnerable to … Continue reading COVID-19 and Maternal Stress on an International Level
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Wildlife Conservation
Author: Amal Bilal, Class of 2028 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a tool that can be leveraged to identify effective solutions for the current biodiversity crisis. As ecosystems are increasingly harmed by humanity, researchers are looking for ways in which AI can be used to create multimodal models that analyze ecological data to improve biodiversity loss predictions, track patterns in wildlife trade, and develop … Continue reading Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Wildlife Conservation
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
How dietary choices affect our psychological well-being, behaviors, and crime levels
Laura Ladekarl, Class of 2025 The food you eat influences not only your physical health but also your mental health, mood, cognition, and behavior, especially when you are undernourished. Food can also play a significant social and emotional role when tied to cultural and religious practices or serving as a coping mechanism. While food plays an important role in emotional and physical wellbeing, researchers questioned … Continue reading How dietary choices affect our psychological well-being, behaviors, and crime levels
Food Insecurity and Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: Fighting The Cause
Laura Ladekarl, Class of 2025 Amid a growing mental health crisis, suicide is a leading cause of death in adolescents. It particularly affects those from a lower socio-economic status due to limited access to sufficient and nutritious food. Food insecurity can impact cognitive-affective states, and adolescents facing it often report social isolation and feelings of shame, sadness, and family strain. Dr. Steare and his colleagues … Continue reading Food Insecurity and Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: Fighting The Cause
Young Investigators Review 