Flesh-eating bacteria sounds like an epidemic straight out of a horror movie: oblivious beachgoers infected by an aggressive germ with no hope for a cure! As far-fetched as it sounds, this prospective movie pitch is a growing reality for many residents of the East Coast of the United States. While usually confined to tropical waters […]
Flesh-eating bacteria cases on the rise? Read More »
About one in every third person in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, an alarming statistic reported by the American Cancer Society. Although it is a largely researched topic, there are many gaps in the understanding of metastasis, or the spread of cancer to other parts of
The bumpy backroads: Metastasis of tumors in the spinal cord Read More »
Music is a universal language that has the power to evoke various thoughts and emotions and reduce stress and anxiety. According to a research study from Harvard Medical School, music has the power to affect “cognitive function, quality of life, and even happiness.” From classical to pop, through its many genres, music has the power
The Healing Power of Music Read More »
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health condition that has long eluded easy treatment solutions due to its common comorbidity with other behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. However, a novel approach has emerged in recent years: MDMA-assisted therapy. This revolutionary treatment involves the controlled use of MDMA,
Beyond relief: The neurobiology of MDMA therapy and its implications for mental health Read More »
Is suicide a constitutional right? The answer is complicated. In The United States, citizens can take their own lives at any time, but what about when a person is looking for permanent relief from a terminal illness? Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is an option for qualifying terminally ill patients who feel death is favorable to life.
Physician-assisted suicide: The patient’s right Read More »
How long can the brain function without oxygen from the heart? For a long time, scientists thought that the answer was about 6–10 minutes before the brain undergoes permanent damage. However, recent research reveals that 1 in 5 people who undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and survive can remember events from when they were “dead.” When
Dead yet conscious: Some CPR survivors recall events during heart failure Read More »
In 2004, a sudden brainstem stroke left the then 30-year-old Ann Johnson completely paralyzed. It took years of physical therapy for her to regain enough muscle control to express emotion on her face and breathe independently, but the muscles controlling her speech remained stagnant. Her daughter, 13 months old at the time of the stroke,
Defeating paralysis: revolutionary brain implant allows woman to speak after 18 years Read More »
With over 100,000 people on the transplant waiting list, not all of them have a chance to receive a matching organ in time. Due to insufficient supply and long waiting times, organ failure is one of the leading causes of death. To combat this, scientists are stepping up to counter this challenge by developing 3D
Bioprinting the Future Read More »
Across the world, preterm birth is the leading cause of death and disability in babies under five. Today, treatment for these babies consists primarily of supplements and support to aid in the newborn’s physiological health. While the survival rate of these newborns increases every year, there has been little progress in raising survival rates to
The birth of a new era: Exploring the potential of artificial wombs in human trials Read More »