Cognitive Function and Eating Behavior in Young Women

by Jenna Mallon (’18) Eating behavior, what you eat and how often you eat, plays a large role in your health, and many cognitive factors play a role in a person’s eating habits. Effortful control, the ability to inhibit a dominate response, and working memory, the ability to apply short-term memories to goal-oriented tasks, both play a role in how well a person can manage … Continue reading Cognitive Function and Eating Behavior in Young Women

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Wishful Thinking

by Amanda Ng (’17) While love for most people is a positive experience, what is often desired above all is to have that love reciprocated. This desire can sometimes be so strong that it can alter perceptions of a platonic encounter to a romantic one. These perceptions can cause individuals to exhibit more romantic behaviors, such as flirting or physical affection, that can change their … Continue reading The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Wishful Thinking

The Connection Between Anxiety and Autism

by Amanda Ng (’17)   Past research has shown that many psychological and developmental disorders can be comorbid, or can occur together. In particular, there has been a connection found between the diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and anxiety. Previous work has researchers believing that Autism patients’ inability to interact and communicate socially can lead to heightened levels of social anxiety. It has been theorized … Continue reading The Connection Between Anxiety and Autism

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

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