A New Method For Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease
by Sahil Rawal (’19) Parkinson’s disease is a condition that causes lower levels of dopamine in the brain, leading to neurodegeneration. Parkinson’s is commonly seen in older patients, and causes a loss of muscle control. Till now, there was no test for Parkinson’s that would guarantee its diagnosis; rather, physicians analyzed medical histories and conducted neurological tests to look for signs of Parkinson’s. However, Dr. … Continue reading A New Method For Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease
Emotional Self-Awareness in Children with Autism
by Amanda Ng (’17) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the most common developmental disorders found in children, and while there has been progress in research since its first diagnosis, there is still much that remains to be discovered. Individuals with ASD have trouble communicating and interacting, and even the highest-functioning ASD patients can have trouble picking up social cues or others’ emotions. However, … Continue reading Emotional Self-Awareness in Children with Autism
Romanticism May Increase Rates of Partner Violence
by Amanda Ng (’17) In terms of their romantic beliefs, people are under a variety of influences, some of which stem from the entertainment industry. Many books, movies, and television shows showing jealous and controlling behaviors as signs of love and commitment in heterosexual relationships have inspired a similar belief in young women. Previous studies have shown that these romantic beliefs can endanger one’s well-being … Continue reading Romanticism May Increase Rates of Partner Violence
How Obesity May Age Your Brain
by Julia Newman (’19) Previous studies have all proven that obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even multiple types of cancer, but only now have scientists determined one dangerous effect of obesity on the brain. Dr. Lisa Ronan and Dr. Konrad Wagstyl, researchers of the Brain Mapping Unit at the University of Cambridge, recorded the brain structures of subjects from twenty to … Continue reading How Obesity May Age Your Brain
Sharing Children Can Increase Relationship Length
by Amanda Ng (’17) Fig. 1: Studies have shown that couples that share children are more likely to exhibit behaviors conducive to a lasting relationship. Past studies have shown that there are multiple factors that can make or break a relationship, and that these factors grow even more complicated as a relationship matures and people grow older. Conflict can arise because of work and family … Continue reading Sharing Children Can Increase Relationship Length
The Cardiotoxic Effects of Oil on Fish Embryos
by Julia Newman (’19) Recent oil spills in the North Atlantic are currently causing detrimental effects not only on the water’s safety for humans, but also on the millions of fish species that live there. One species in particular, the Atlantic haddock, has shown a decreased survival correlated with the oil spills. This is a concern for both the ecosystems the fish are a part … Continue reading The Cardiotoxic Effects of Oil on Fish Embryos
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children
by Amanda Ng (’17) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, better known as OCD, is a harmful and disabling disorder that consists of recurrent thoughts or actions due to anxiety or distress. Symptoms of OCD include obsessions with self-harm, symmetry, hoarding, and contamination or cleaning. Although a multitude of research exists on this disorder in adults, there is little literature on how it comes to manifest in children. … Continue reading Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children
Thumb-Suckers Develop Less Allergies
by Julia Newman (’19) According to the popular Hygiene Hypothesis, if a child is exposed to bacteria and other microbes early in life, he will be more resistant to various bacterial illnesses. In order to test this premise, Stephanie Lynch of the American Board of Pediatrics and Malcolm Sears of the Department of Respirology at McMaster University conducted a study on thumb-sucking and nail-biting in … Continue reading Thumb-Suckers Develop Less Allergies
The Effect of “Burning Out” and Secondary Traumatic Stress in Medical Students
by Jenna Mallon (’18) Burnout in medical education has been a focus of study due to the negative consequences it can have on student performance. Secondary traumatic stress, caused by exposure to traumatic events, is studied less but is still prevalent in the medical field. Dr. David A. Richardson, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Henry Ford Hospital/Wayne State University, and a … Continue reading The Effect of “Burning Out” and Secondary Traumatic Stress in Medical Students
Understanding Acute and Chronic Pain
by Aaron Gochman (’18) The biological mechanisms for acute and chronic pain appear to be vastly different, with the understanding for that of chronic pain proving much more elusive. However, an international team of researchers may have discovered a link between the two in a recent study. NMDA receptors (NMDAR) have a diverse role in neurological function. They modulate neurotransmission, the process of transducing signals … Continue reading Understanding Acute and Chronic Pain
The Correlation Between Smoking and Mental Health
by Jenna Mallon (’18) Since smoking affects different neurotransmitter systems throughout the body, it has been known to cause changes in mood and sleep patterns. Numerous studies have been done to determine the relationship between smoking and sleeping, but mental illnesses and mood changes have been greatly overlooked. Dr. Takahiro Kawada and a team of researchers from the Center for Regional Collaboration at Kochi University … Continue reading The Correlation Between Smoking and Mental Health
Exploring A Safer Steroid Therapy
by Aaron Gochman (’18) Most pharmacological approaches in the study of congenital adrenal hyperplasia involve the administration of corticosteroids, potent drugs that quickly affect the body. Extended use of corticosteroids, however, typically yields unpleasant metabolic side effects. Despite this weakness, corticosteroids have been the mainstream treatment in attempting to suppress adrenal androgen. However, scientists from the United Kingdom have discovered a novel approach: corticosterone, a … Continue reading Exploring A Safer Steroid Therapy
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