Tag: Rideeta Raquib

Figure 1. Enzyme that plays a role in memory loss can be inhibited to treat Alzheimer’s disease
2016-17, Biology, Psychology

Disrupting Enzyme To Tackle Alzheimer’s Disease

By Rideeta Raquib ’19 From histone modifications to DNA alterations, epigenetic processes play a major role in various physiological systems. Histones are proteins in eukaryotic cells that package DNA strands into nucleosomes. Gene regulation processes include histone acetylation, whereby an acetyl group is transferred from one molecule to another. This eventually removes the positive charge on the histones, giving nucleosomes a relaxed structure and allowing … Continue reading Disrupting Enzyme To Tackle Alzheimer’s Disease

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Figure 1. Human gut microbe, P. histicola has therapeutic effects against Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
2016-17, Biology, Health

Gut microbe as Potential Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

By Rideeta Raquib ’19 The human gut is colonized by many microorganisms and each of them plays a role in maintaining various physiological functions, such as regulating digestion and fat absorption. It has been found that a vast number of inflammatory diseases around the world are associated with an instability of the gut microbiome. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic and University of Iowa suggest that … Continue reading Gut microbe as Potential Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

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Figure 1. Zika vaccine developed from Nicotiana benthamiana plant extract
2016-17, Biology, Health

Improved Zika Vaccine Produced by Tobacco Plant extract

By Rideeta Raquib ’19 The Zika virus (ZIKV) is a deadly virus transmitted through mosquito bites that at its climax has infected more than 1.5 million people in Brazil in 2015. The virus continues to spread with approximately 200 ZIKV cases reported in the United States this year. In order to combat the epidemic, new ZIKV vaccines have been developed to inactivate the virus. However, … Continue reading Improved Zika Vaccine Produced by Tobacco Plant extract

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Figure 1 Lipid-coated gold nanorods used to study transfection efficacy of HSP promoters
2016-17, Biology, Chemistry

Cancer Therapy Employing Lipid-coated Gold Nanorod

By Rideeta Raquib ’19 Gene regulation induced by light has potential for noninvasive control over the function of target cells. One such method involves the delivery of photothermal heaters and heat shock protein (HSP) promoter-driven protein expression vectors into the cells and then illuminating them to activate the cells. HSP promoters are controlled by heat shock factor, which is a transcription factor in the cytosol … Continue reading Cancer Therapy Employing Lipid-coated Gold Nanorod

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Figure 1 A protein involved in malaria development identified
2016-17, Biology, Health

Novel Findings to Tackle Malaria

By Rideeta Raquib ’19 Malaria is a deadly disease caused by single-celled parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Once the body is infected, sporozoites migrate to the liver and replicate to merozoites. A sporozoite in a motile, sporelike phase during a parasite’s asexual reproduction. A merozoite is the growth stage, which occurs in the bloodstream. The toxins released by merozoites destroy red blood cells and can … Continue reading Novel Findings to Tackle Malaria

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Figure 1: Music cues can be utilized for motor learning and can alter brain structure
2016-17, Neuroscience

Music Affects Brain Structure

By Rideeta Raquib ’19 Whether it be going out for a jog or driving a car, our day-to-day physical movements are often coordinated with music. Recently, researchers have harnessed music and employed auditory cues in response to musical stimuli to enhance movement learning and rehabilitation. Previous studies have shown that musicians tend to have a higher fractional anisotropy (FA) values than non-musicians. FA is a … Continue reading Music Affects Brain Structure

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Figure 1: Oleic acid, found in olive oil, plays a role in cancer prevention.
2016-17, Health

Compound Found In Olive Oil Found to Prevent Cancer

By Rideeta Raquib MicroRNAs or miRs are small non-coding RNAs that guide gene regulation, such as the expression of their target mRNAs in a complex with ribucleoproteins called miRNPs. Inhibition of translation or a decrease in mRNA can cause miR-mediated downregulation of gene expression. Deregulation of microRNAs is associated with development of pathological illnesses including cancer. A potential tumor suppressor, miR-7, is regulated at both … Continue reading Compound Found In Olive Oil Found to Prevent Cancer

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Figure 1: Infant teeth were used as biomarkers to analyse metal exposure and its connection to autism.
2016-17, Biology, Health

Infant Teeth Reveal Metal Exposure Correlates with Autism

By Rideeta Raquib Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a classification of developmental disabilities characterized by changes in social communication, as well as repetitive and restricted patterns of behavior or interests. Approximately 50 percent of ASD risk is linked to genetics and the rest is attributed to environmental factors, including fetal or early childhood exposure to toxic metals and nutrient deficiencies. Researchers from The Senator … Continue reading Infant Teeth Reveal Metal Exposure Correlates with Autism

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Figure 1: A form of immunotherapy has the potential to stop allergic reactions.
2016-17, Biology

Therapeutic Technique Inactivating Allergic Response

By Rideeta Raquib Allergic reactions are common issues caused by the dysregulation of Th2 cells responses towards allergens. Normally, Th2 CD4+ T cells produce cytokines in response to allergens, and cause chronic inflammation and mucus hypersecretion, among other symptoms. Although genetics does play a role, allergic diseases, such as asthma, occur after sensitization and effector/memory T cell differentiation has taken place. Common treatment includes avoiding … Continue reading Therapeutic Technique Inactivating Allergic Response

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Figure 1. Four-year-old children develop the ability to understand others.
2016-17, Sociology

Four-Year-Old Children and Their Ability to Understand Others

By Rideeta Raquib ’19   One of the key components of human cognition is understanding mental states of others and recognize that people around the world may have differing perspectives. This concept, referred to as the theory of mind, plays an important role in human communication and cooperation. Children initially pass false belief tests at the age of three or four years old. These tests … Continue reading Four-Year-Old Children and Their Ability to Understand Others

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2016-17, Biology

Hairs on Honey Bees Essential for Pollen Removal

By Rideeta Raquib ’19 Diverse flowering plants evolved during the Cretaceous and Paleogene Periods, nearly 140 to 23 million years ago, and they adapted pollinating insects for better dispersal. Several insect orders that were attracted to flowers and nectar, such as Coleoptera or Diptera became abundant as well. Although the grooming of insects has been prominent over many years, quantitative analysis on the subject is … Continue reading Hairs on Honey Bees Essential for Pollen Removal

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2016-17, Biology

Reaching and Grasping Movements Restored in Tetraplegia Patients

By Rideeta Raquib ’19 Tetraplegia is a type of paralysis caused by high-cervical spinal cord injury and can limit reaching and grasping movements. To restore the motor functions lost in these limbs, a tool known as the functional electrical stimulation (FES) applies spatiotemporal stimulation to muscles and peripheral nerves. This simulation has successfully restored grasping in individuals with mid to low level spinal cord injuries. … Continue reading Reaching and Grasping Movements Restored in Tetraplegia Patients

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