Gold Nanoparticles Suppressing Tumor Growth in Pancreatic Cancer
by Rideeta Raquib ’19 Gold is one of the most valuable resources in the world, and its value may be even greater due to its potential as a new treatment for pancreatic cancer. Previously, gold nanoparticles, AuNPs, were used to target tumor regions and aid in the transport of drugs and chemotherapy to the tumor. A previous study showed that gold nanoparticles had the ability … Continue reading Gold Nanoparticles Suppressing Tumor Growth in Pancreatic Cancer
Individuals of African Ancestry respond more strongly to pathogen than Individuals of European Ancestry
by Jalwa Afroz ’17 The human immune system, varying amongst individuals from different populations, evolved under selective pressure from pathogenic environments. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown extreme differences in allele frequency between various human populations for infectious, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. Additionally, expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping studies in antigen-exposed immune cells have identified hundreds of genetic variants that also explain variation … Continue reading Individuals of African Ancestry respond more strongly to pathogen than Individuals of European Ancestry
Frog Skin Contains Chemicals That Repel Ants
by Rideeta Raquib ’19 Several species, such as the Lutjanus bohar fish species, have the ability to camouflage themselves to avoid predators. This allows them to have a selective advantage in their respective environments compared to other species. Dr. Andre de Lima Barros, from the National Institute of the Amazonian Research in Brazil, hypothesized that Lithodytes lineatus, a species of frog prominent in the Amazon … Continue reading Frog Skin Contains Chemicals That Repel Ants
Effects of Neutrophil production on tumor metastasis
by Richard Liang ’18 The term “cancer” comprises various diseases involving abnormal cell growth. They become most dangerous after metastasis, when they spread to multiple organs. Though few treatments are currently available for cancers past this stage, a recent study led by Dr. Juwon Park in Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has identified neutrophils, a type of leukocyte in the blood, as a potential therapeutic target … Continue reading Effects of Neutrophil production on tumor metastasis
Understanding Antigen Replacement in Influenza A Viruses
by Caleb Sooknanan ’20 Influenza is a common viral infection that attacks the respiratory system. Major outbreaks occur due to antigenic changes in the influenza A virus, which is when virus strains from separate hosts combine to form different strains with a mixture of surface antigens. Unfortunately, the mechanism behind this replacement, or antigenic shift, remains misunderstood. Dr. Yuki Furuse and his team of researchers … Continue reading Understanding Antigen Replacement in Influenza A Viruses
Genetic Vulnerability in Alzheimer’s Disease
by Richard Liang ’18 Alzheimer’s disease is a major neurodegenerative condition, with individuals usually developing symptoms at ages above 65. Symptoms include impaired memory, speech, and other mental functions. Alzheimer’s has shown a correlation with increasing aggregates of Amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). However, it is difficult to predict whether and at what time these plaques and tangles will be expressed in an individual. … Continue reading Genetic Vulnerability in Alzheimer’s Disease
New Study Reveals Effects of Timely Hepatitis B Vaccination
by Caleb Sooknanan ‘20 Hepatitis B is a viral infection that often attacks the liver. As infections have become increasingly common in Fujian, China, new measures have been created to control the virus’s impact. Such efforts have included vaccines for newborns and infants, as recommended in China’s national immunization program vaccine (NIPV) series. However, little is known about how the timely administration of the first … Continue reading New Study Reveals Effects of Timely Hepatitis B Vaccination
Self-Control Beyond the Prefrontal Cortex
by Richard Liang ’18 The human brain affects almost everything aspect of existence, from locomotion and speech to feeling. Decision making and self-control are also affected by parts of the brain, specifically the prefrontal cortex. However, a recent study led by Alexander Soutscheck in the Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research of the University of Zurich has shown that there could also be another … Continue reading Self-Control Beyond the Prefrontal Cortex
Effects of Chikungunya Fever on Pregnancies and Newborns
by Caleb Sooknanan ’20 Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus that incites severe joint pain and fever. The chikungunya fever (CHIKF) epidemic in Latin and South America in 2013 revealed that the virus posed a threat to maternal and child health. However, information surrounding the risks and effects of mother-to-child transmission of the virus is limited. Dr. Jaime R. Torres and his team of researchers at … Continue reading Effects of Chikungunya Fever on Pregnancies and Newborns
A New Transistor Supercapacitor Hybrid: The Transcap
By Michael D’Agati Finding new materials and geometries for the creation of transistors has become a focal point in the field of electronics within the past decade. This transition from silicon-based materials is important towards keeping up with a prediction made by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, which states that the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles every two years. In other … Continue reading A New Transistor Supercapacitor Hybrid: The Transcap
November Feature: BMES Interview
This month, one of our Cabinet Members, Benjamin Kerner, sat down with the President of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), Adiba Chowdhury, to showcase their work at Stony Brook. The Biomedical Engineering Society is dedicated to promoting Biomedical Engineering in the hopes it will become a more tangible and approachable field to undergraduates. B: What it your role in the organization and how did you … Continue reading November Feature: BMES Interview
Caffeine May Protect Against Cognitive Impairments and Dementia
by Patrick Yang The United States has the highest caffeine consumption in the world. In the U.S. alone, 54% of adults consume caffeine every day. Although caffeine does a fine job in keeping consumers alert, caffeine’s curative powers may go beyond just remedying morning grumpiness. According to animal studies, there is an inverse correlation between caffeine consumption and cognitive impairment and dementia. Although literature … Continue reading Caffeine May Protect Against Cognitive Impairments and Dementia
Young Investigators Review 