When we think of pathogens, our minds jump to evil little microorganisms — be it viruses, bacteria, or parasites — that infect and wreak havoc on us from the outside. But we hardly think that such pathogens can originate within our own bodies and that they do not even have to be alive. Deadly prion […]
Protein prions: The strangest pathogen of them all Read More »
There is no doubt that seahorses are fascinating creatures. Ranging from the size of a pine nut to nearly a foot long, sporting funky colors and an aura of mythicism, they have long been a source of wonder to human civilizations. Scientists find them intriguing for a host of reasons — their elongated, suction-like snout,
Nature’s miracles: Hippocampi Read More »
There’s much to love about Halloween: elaborate costumes, spooky decorations, time with friends, and of course, candy. After all, what’s Halloween without the sacks of M&Ms, Twix, and Starbursts? The answer is much healthier — but most people know only this simple fact. What’s really hiding inside Halloween candy? A familiar ingredient is high fructose
Is Halloween Candy Scarier than that Killer Clown Costume? Read More »
Archaea are often described as “the weird organisms.” This is certainly apt, considering that they are a strange hybrid between the domain bacteria and the domain eukarya. Although it is important to note that not all archaea are extremophiles — organisms that live in and can withstand extreme conditions — many live in perfectly “normal”
Archaea, the weird organisms Read More »
Y2K, short for “Year 2000” and also known as the Millenium Bug, was actually a problem in the way information was stored in computers prior to 2000. The phrase “Y2K,” instantly conjures up images of baby tees, Britney Spears, Bratz Dolls, double denim, and MySpace. The Y2K aesthetic has massively surged recently thanks to social
On computers, aesthetics, and the end of the world — A.K.A., Y2K Read More »
Heartbreak often brings to mind cartoon hearts dramatically shattering into pieces Looney-Tunes-style, or eating a giant tub of ice cream and crying over romantic comedies. In reality, though, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), there is such a thing as a literal broken heart, which raises the question — is it actually possible to
A “broken heart” is more than just a saying Read More »
We’ve all been there. Up at an ungodly hour, studying (or rewatching The Office), and all of a sudden, we see a pack of cup noodles sitting on our bedside. We may not even be hungry, but cup noodles taste fantastic, and it’s two in the morning– so why not? But this late-night snacking may
Why that 2 AM ramen might not be such a great idea Read More »