Tag: 2015-2016

2015-16, Medicine and Physiology

A Single-Pill HIV Treatment

By Richard Liang ’18 After extensive use of their multi-drug regimens, many HIV patients begin suffering from kidney impairment and decreased bone density. These pathologies have been recently associated with the chemical tenofovir in the medication regimens. As a response to this, the FDA approved Genvoya, a pill that minimizes tenofovir’s negative side effects. This novel pill combines dosages of active ingredients from standard medications, … Continue reading A Single-Pill HIV Treatment

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2015-16, Biology

The Secret Behind the Rampant Spread of Malaria

By Richard Liang ’18 Unlike in model organisms such as yeast and human beings, the microbiological means of cell reproduction in Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, has remained relatively unknown until very recently. Understanding this proliferation has provided researchers with unique and vital insight on the progression of the malaria, a fast-reproducing, medication-resistant, deadly disease. Researchers at the University of Nottingham have identified that … Continue reading The Secret Behind the Rampant Spread of Malaria

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2015-16, Biology

Deforestation and Tree Extinction in the Amazon

By Shannon Bohman ’19   Scientists have recently concluded that deforestation is threatening more than half of the tree species found in the Amazon. Researchers compared data on tree diameters, leaves, branches, flowers, and fruits to maps of projected deforestation. The analysis was the first quantified estimate of how many Amazonian species were at risk. The data was run through a computer model under two … Continue reading Deforestation and Tree Extinction in the Amazon

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Technology

Optimization of a Lithium Flow Battery to Increase Energy Storage

By Meghan Bialt-DeCelie Image acquired from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power_in_New_Zealand Figure 3: Windmills need reliable large-scale flow batteries to effectively store energy for later use.   The flow battery is a development in large-scale, renewable battery technology. It is often found attached to solar panels and windmills to collect the energy produced. However, it is unable to cost-effectively store large amounts of energy. Dr. Qing Wang, of the University … Continue reading Optimization of a Lithium Flow Battery to Increase Energy Storage

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Technology

Self-Healing Gel Makes the Future of Technology More Flexible

By Meghan Bialt-DeCelie Image acquired from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/creative_stock/5227842611 Figure 2: weak points like junctions and bends in circuits could use the self-healing, conductive gel to keep circuits from wearing.   As technology advances, people in today’s society strive for slimmer, curved, and more flexible gadgets. Typical conductive materials for circuits are not exactly suitable for the latest tech to meet these futuristic features. To address this problem, … Continue reading Self-Healing Gel Makes the Future of Technology More Flexible

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Biology

Root Microbiomes Influence Plant Growth and DevelopmentRoot Microbiomes Influence Plant Growth and Development

By Meghan Bialt-DeCelie Image acquired from: http://www.the-scientist.com/images/January2013/microbe_infograph_full.jpg Figure 1: The community of microorganisms that live around and in the tissues of plants can affect the plant’s growth and development.   When thinking of ways to improve plant growth, one may think of relations between genetics, climate and available nutrition. However, Dr. Ulrich Mueller of the University of Texas and Dr. Joel Sachs of University of California … Continue reading Root Microbiomes Influence Plant Growth and DevelopmentRoot Microbiomes Influence Plant Growth and Development

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Technology

Your Robot Coworker Won’t Be Stealing Your Job After All

By Cerise Carey Is artificial intelligence as big of a threat to your job as it may seem? Researchers with the McKinsey Global Institute suggest not. Their research indicates that less than five percent of jobs and forty-five percent of general work activities could be automated. Jobs that could benefit from some activities becoming automated include physicians, financial managers, and senior executives. However, there are … Continue reading Your Robot Coworker Won’t Be Stealing Your Job After All

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Biology, Medicine and Physiology

Are There Racial Differences in Cancer?

By Cerise Carey Americans of African descent are at a higher risk for developing gastrointestinal (GI) cancers than other individuals, but are there racially determined differences in the cancer itself? Dr. Ellen Li and her colleagues from Stony Brook University are teaming up with SUNY Downstate and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory to try to find an answer to this question by looking into the biological … Continue reading Are There Racial Differences in Cancer?

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Biology

Images of a Replisome Offer a New Look at DNA Replication

By Cerise Carey Scientists have never been able to capture an image of the molecules behind DNA replication until now. A team of researchers from Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Rockefeller University, including Dr. Huilin Li of Stony Brook University’s Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, were able to produce the first real structural image of a replisome using electron microscopy techniques. A … Continue reading Images of a Replisome Offer a New Look at DNA Replication

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Psychology

Scientists Use Computer Modeling to Determine if Information is Contagious

By Lee Ann Santore Stony Brook University’s own researchers, Christian Luhmann and Suparna Rajaram, have conducted a study that will make students think twice about studying with a group. The study aimed to determine whether or not information is contagious in the same way that behaviors like smoking are. Their experiment involved the use of advanced computer modeling to simulate individuals and groups of humans. … Continue reading Scientists Use Computer Modeling to Determine if Information is Contagious

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Biology, Medicine and Physiology

Scientists Penetrate the Blood-Brain Barrier Using Microscopic Bubbles

By Lee Ann Santore The blood-brain barrier acts as a shield to the brain and prevents toxins from reaching the central nervous system. Unfortunately, it also prevents the passage of medicines into the brain. A team of Canadian researchers from the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, led by Todd Mainprize, has developed a technique to penetrate the blood-brain barrier by injecting microscopic bubbles into the bloodstreams … Continue reading Scientists Penetrate the Blood-Brain Barrier Using Microscopic Bubbles

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Biology

Microflowers Offer an Innovative New Microform Structure

By Lee Ann Santore Microforms that take on the structure of flowers could be the future of cutting-edge technology. A team of researchers, from the RMIT-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology Research Centre, led by Dr. Sheshanath Boshanale, succeeded in developing microforms, microscopic images used for storage of larger images, with flower-like structures. The microflowers have exciting potential in many fields, such as optoelectronics, nanotechnology, and … Continue reading Microflowers Offer an Innovative New Microform Structure

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