When I was younger, I would have a terrible cold for nearly seven out of 12 months each year. I would always be sucking on a cough drop or taking Mucinex, trying everything to relieve the awful, ceaseless coughing that accompanied the cold. Each year, my mother would give me the same advice: to pop […]
Opinion: Can modern medicine and alternative treatments coexist? Read More »
For such a tiny microscopic organism, the algae behind the Gulf of Mexico’s toxic red tides inflicts a mighty force. Characterized by discolored water, dying marine life, and the release of respiratory irritants, red tides have plagued the Gulf since the 1800s and have since increased in intensity and frequency. Karenia brevis, the dominant algae
Harmful or helpful?: Using toxic algae blooms for cystic fibrosis treatment Read More »
Specialized and high-quality education is a hard-earned privilege, not a necessity. Here in the United States, there are many examples of barriers that have prevented students from enjoying hands-on opportunities to grasp valuable knowledge from a young age. Racial discrimination, poverty, and other disparities all represent prominent problems when it comes to providing kids with
Harvard Medical School’s next step into broadening exposure to STEM-based careers Read More »
On Wednesday, May 3, four Roxbury high school students and a couple of Northeastern undergraduate volunteers built mini wind turbines as part of an energy education pilot program. The motivation behind the event was not only to teach students about the generation and conversion of energy but also to try out accompanying learning modules with
Almost everyone can recall a particularly weird nightmare they have had, ranging from being late to having an exam to being chased by a monster. They often leave us with feelings of anxiety, confusion, distress, and fear after waking up, wondering how our brains could have conjured such a narrative. Around 85% of people report
The dark side of dreams Read More »
When functioning optimally the human brain poses one of the largest challenges encountered in medicine. For the past 50 years, scientists have struggled to find methods to bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a vital immunological barrier responsible for the transport of select molecules into the brain. Solving this problem would allow for the development of
Going where no drug has gone before: A difficult journey through the blood-brain barrier Read More »
Advancements in medicine have undeniably revolutionized the quality of life in society today. Unfortunately, even medicine can be faulty — side effects, drug resistance, or simple ineffectiveness are just a handful of the risks patients face when seeking medicinal aid. Anti-obesity medication (AOM) is one of many drug categories that carry a host of side
Opinion: Alternatively, medicine can do harm too Read More »
Conventional medicine, or Western medicine, describes a system where healthcare professionals trained in the sciences treat symptoms and diseases with medication or surgery. While conventional medicine is widely accepted, it is not the only healthcare system available. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is defined by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) as
The possible inheritance of unfavorable genetics sits in the front of many new and soon-to-be parents’ minds. Though it may seem comforting to know if one’s child carries the risk of developing certain conditions in adulthood, is it in the best interest of the child to grow up with this knowledge? This burden poses an
Anxiety and exploitation: Ethical dilemmas in pediatric genetic screening Read More »