Sea otters, adored for their expressive faces and fluffy fur, are some of the most well-known and charismatic aquatic animals. Beyond their cuteness, these marine mammals are keystone species that play an integral role in their environment. As top predators, sea otters are crucial to balancing coastal ecosystems such as kelp forests, enhancing ecological resilience […]
Sea otters: Guardians of the kelp forest Read More »
Currently affecting millions of people worldwide, major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious and chronic mental health condition whose prevalence has only been exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Symptoms include consistently low mood, lack of energy, changes in sleep or appetite, and suicidal thoughts and feelings. A variety of biological, environmental, and psychological factors
Treatment of depression through spinal cord stimulation Read More »
It was 2007 — the year of “Spider-Man 3” starring Toby McGuire, Obama’s first election campaign, and the launch of the first iPhone. On a small island in French Polynesia, the last tree snail of the species Partula cytherea quietly, and most likely violently, met its demise. Reports from the International Union for Conservation of
The rapid extinction of the world’s slowest creatures Read More »
For millions of people around the world, COVID-19 was not just a week-long scare; it became a chronic condition. The most familiar symptoms of COVID-19 resemble those of the common cold, but it had a much farther reach than respiratory or muscular difficulties, especially in adolescent communities. Newer concerns are coming to light regarding how
Beyond the senses: COVID-19’s influence on brain maturation and the aging process Read More »
Glaucoma is an eye disease where rear optic nerve damage causes a loss of vision. This damage can be caused by the buildup of fluid in the eye due to the inability to drain such fluid out of the front of the eye. The fluid normally travels through the trabecular meshwork in the anterior chamber,
The physical aging process is commonly dreaded; not many look forward to the decline of their strength or increased susceptibility to various diseases. These natural side effects of aging seem inevitable, but a recent study regarding the development of a novel therapeutic mechanism reveals that this may not be the case. A team of researchers
The 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics was a notable one, recognizing discoveries that constituted the beginnings of climate science for the 20th century. With scientists measuring record-high temperatures last summer, the research provides a basis for understanding climate change, namely anthropogenic climate change, which demands our attention. The prize was split in two, with half
Articles, blog posts, and Instagram accounts sometimes tell us that the world will end on a particular date, evoking a strong sense of panic. Some people frantically change their behavior altogether due to sudden news that the world will be ending. Concerned individuals may prepare for this time period by nestling in their basements with
The nature of pseudoscience Read More »
What makes Earth feel so much like home? For some, crisp fall mornings and hot coffees make this planet the place to be. Others might argue in the name of our endless collection of island beaches and piña coladas that Jupiter just can’t offer. At the root of it all, though, there’s one thing that
Home away from home: NASA’s newest ocean-covered exoplanet Read More »