Our immune system consists of hundreds of specialized cells dedicated solely to maintaining our well-being. This branch of our body is dedicated to fighting pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and even our own mutated cells. Fundamentally, the cells of the immune system can be categorized into two main varieties: the innate immune system and […]
Cell-ebrity avoidance: How tumors avoid immune cells Read More »
Red blood cells (RBCs) are the single-most important factor in gas exchange with the environment and the key to sustaining life. With approximately 70-80 trillion red blood cells present in human bodies at any given time, these cells constitute 70% of all the cells in the body. RBCs are flat and disk-like, featuring indentations on
CRISPR’s sickle cell revolution: A key to life Read More »
The placebo effect is a phenomenon observed in many experiments, most often medical. This peculiar occurrence is when patients are given a control treatment, such as a sugar pill rather than the true medication being tested, yet have considerable positive gains in their condition. In other words, patients’ conditions are improving despite not receiving any
Mind over medicine: The placebo effect Read More »
Redlining, a historical practice of discrimination, has had lasting effects on racial inequities that remain persistent today. However, recent analysis of ecological diversity has revealed that the effects of redlining reach far beyond impacting humans. Specifically, bird diversity and population experienced a marked decline in areas subject to redlining. This means that though one street
Redlining’s reach: Disparities in bird data Read More »
Punching, kicking, throwing — not just daytime activities anymore. For some sleepers, these actions accompany their dream states. When a sleeper reflects what they are doing in their dream in real-time, despite being asleep, it’s referred to as “acting out dreams” or REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). So instead of punching an attacker, they might
When dreams become nightmares: How acting out dreams can predict brain disease Read More »
Consider Eliza’s sleep schedule. Eliza is a college student, who sleeps six hours every day due to the constraints of her job, sports practice, and schoolwork. Trudging through the week, she looks forward to the weekend when she can sleep in late and trade her weekday 8 a.m. for a weekend 12 p.m. She’s excited
Can we truly ‘catch up’ on sleep? Read More »
Cells make up tissues, which make up organs, which form organ systems, which ultimately are the key to keeping us alive. But what is the key to unlocking how various types of cells are made? How does a neuron know to transmit information from the brain to parts of the body, and how does a
Histones: The mastermind behind gene expression Read More »
Affective polarization is a term that describes how individuals tend to see their opposing political parties in a negative light and their co-partisans in a positive light. This bias can unknowingly cause ignorance and lead to less effective cooperation and understanding between groups and people of different parties. This psychological mindset is dangerous as it
Will we ever meet in the middle? Read More »
