Horses Can Integrate Senses to Detect Human Emotion
Caleb Sooknanan ‘20 Horses can cross-modally, or with multiple senses simultaneously, distinguish human facial expressions and recognize people with whom they are acquainted. While horses may be able to cross-modally distinguish human emotions, more research is needed to understand these animals’ cognitive abilities. Doctor Toshizaku Hasegawa and researchers from Hokkaido University in Japan conducted a study in which the expectancy violation method — normally used … Continue reading Horses Can Integrate Senses to Detect Human Emotion
Reducing Cancer Metastasis with Gene Target Therapy
Caleb Sooknanan ‘20 Cancer metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells from an original tumor to another bodily region through a subject’s blood or lymph systems. The possibility of cancer cells entering a subject’s blood stream is mainly dependent upon the motility of cancer cells within the subject’s body. However, more research is needed to understand and detect the genes that account for cancer … Continue reading Reducing Cancer Metastasis with Gene Target Therapy
Using Microelectrode Arrays on Soft Substances
Caleb Sooknanan ‘20 Microelectrode arrays or MEAs are electrode systems that can be used to analyze electric signals among cardiac cells and neuronal cells, repair sensory abilities among human patients, and address nervous system disorders. However, most of the devices currently associated with MEAs rely on silicon or polymer substances, which make it difficult for scientists to mimic the structural and functional capabilities of living … Continue reading Using Microelectrode Arrays on Soft Substances
Investigating Genetic Variation and Selection in Starfish Species Piaster ochraceus
Stephanie Budhan ’21 Extreme environmental disturbances, such as a natural disaster or epidemics, dramatically impact animal population survival. These events have the potential to eliminate entire species, and affect the gene pool or the frequency of certain genes within the population. However, scientists observing these natural disasters and their subsequent effects can be difficult due to their sporadic occurrence. A study conducted by Dr. Lauren … Continue reading Investigating Genetic Variation and Selection in Starfish Species Piaster ochraceus
Social Media User’s Opinion of Fitspiration
Stephanie Budhan ’21 Recently, a fitness trend known as “Fitspiration” has been permeating the internet, promoting a healthy lifestyle through proper exercise and diet. Fitspiration is often seen as a healthier alternative to trends such as “thinspiration” or “bonespiration,” which glorify thin bodies as well as extreme diet and exercise regimens. However, there seems to be controversy regarding the positive message of fitspiration. Some studies … Continue reading Social Media User’s Opinion of Fitspiration
The Relationship Between Vitamin D levels and Insulin Resistance in Obese Individuals
Stephanie Budhan ’21 Obesity, or excessive weight, is often associated with insulin resistance. The hormone insulin helps decrease the body’s sugar levels. During insulin resistance, the body cells do not respond to insulin, causing the body’s sugar levels to remain high. Insulin resistance may lead to weight gain and eventually obesity. Previous research has reported that vitamin D concentration appears to be inversely related to … Continue reading The Relationship Between Vitamin D levels and Insulin Resistance in Obese Individuals
Regenerative bandage fast-tracks healing
Nita Wong ’21 Diabetes, a condition affecting nearly 10 percent of Americans, often causes nerve damage that results in numbness in the hands and feet. This inability to sense pain can turn a minor cut or sore into a situation requiring limb amputation or, in severe cases, leading to death. In a recent study, researchers at Northwestern University sought to tackle this medical dilemma by … Continue reading Regenerative bandage fast-tracks healing
Time-restricted eating shows weight loss potential
Nita Wong ’21 As obesity rates in the United States continue to increase, research regarding various types of diets has likewise intensified. The latest study, conducted by scientists from the University of Illinois at Chicago and published in the journal Nutrition and Healthy Aging, points to daily fasting as an effective means by which to reduce weight and lower blood pressure. Time-restricted eating confines an … Continue reading Time-restricted eating shows weight loss potential
Moderate consumption of alcohol linked to cardiovascular benefits
Nita Wong ’21 Nearly 85 years after the end of Prohibition, alcohol remains a controversial topic. While the excessive consumption of alcohol may disrupt communication pathways within the brain and damage the heart, liver, and pancreas, consumption in moderation can protect the heart from coronary disease. While the biochemical basis of the latter correlation has long remained a mystery, a recent study conducted by researchers … Continue reading Moderate consumption of alcohol linked to cardiovascular benefits
Fish Oil May Contain Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis
By Sahil Rawal ‘19 Atopic dermatitis is an autoimmune disease brought forth by various interconnected genetic and environmental factors. This disease is caused by various cytokines that promote the development of other B cells, mast cells, etc., which plays an important role in the onset of dermatitis. One treatments currently utilized is corticosteroids, but its long-term outlook could create negative effects in patients. Studies have … Continue reading Fish Oil May Contain Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis
Cemiplimab Found to Be Viable Treatment for Cutaneous Squamous-Cell Carcinoma
By Sahil Rawal ‘19 Cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma is one of the most common skin cancers, and approximately 8500 people died from it as recently as 2012. A majority of patients who are diagnosed with this type of cancer are cured by surgery, but a small percent of patient are not because of metastasis or the tumor being unaffected by surgery. Since some of the markers … Continue reading Cemiplimab Found to Be Viable Treatment for Cutaneous Squamous-Cell Carcinoma
The Effects of the Gut on Fruit Flies’ Lifespans
By Caleb Sooknanan ‘20 Aging and chronic diseases are often associated with effects such as metabolic and oxidative stresses, inflammation, and mitochondrial deficiencies. Scientists have suggested that changes in organisms’ gut microbiota relate to specific gut phenotypes, while probiotics can be ingested to regulate chronic disease progression in conjunction with microbiota changes. However, more research is needed to understand how gut microbiota could be attributed … Continue reading The Effects of the Gut on Fruit Flies’ Lifespans
Young Investigators Review 