Many people have likely heard that humans are 98% related to chimps, but would you guess that we also share 50 to 60% of our genes with bananas? This surprising overlap is the result of billions of years of evolution from an ancient common ancestor. While humans and bananas have acquired different structures and functions, […]
Are bananas our long-lost cousins? The secrets genomes hold Read More »
The age-old myths that humans use 10% of their brains, or that the brain stops developing after the age of 25, have resulted in the underestimation of the complexity of this powerful organ. Until about the 1960s, scientists believed that the brain is static, or unchanging, after it reaches a certain stage. In 1964, neuroscientist
How can the brain rewire itself, and why does it matter? Read More »
Imagine a future where managing weight becomes less of a struggle and more of a sustainable lifestyle change. This future has now become a reality, with the FDA’s approval of Eli Lilly and Company’s Zepbound, promising a revolutionary approach to chronic weight management. This new treatment represents the company’s commitment to addressing complex health challenges
Zepbound a game changer? A look at weight management’s new weapon Read More »
The event of a solar eclipse transcends the astronomical meaning, occurring when the Moon completely blocks the Sun from Earth’s view and darkens skies across a region. Solar eclipses have been referenced throughout history as a time of change and intention-setting for spiritualists or as the source of several cultural folk stories. The impacts of
The eclipse effect: How do animals react to strange celestial phenomena? Read More »
Over 2 million new cancer cases are projected to be identified in the United States during 2024. That means over 2 million families are forced to rethink the upcoming years of their lives. Cancer has long been a topic of heartbreak and dread across the globe. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but it
Molecular weightlifting: RNA-based therapeutics in treating cancer Read More »
The industrial synthesis of many widely used chemicals ranging from fertilizers to pharmaceuticals is known to produce toxic byproducts. Some of these products, dubbed “forever chemicals,” are exceptionally resistant to degradation and tend to accumulate in the environment when improperly disposed of. One family of forever chemicals known to be widespread in the environment is
Experimental evolution: Can scientists evolve bacteria to manage hazardous waste? Read More »
Fractals are found everywhere in nature. Benoit Mandelbrot, who formalized the math behind fractals and coined the term in 1975, talks at length about this in his book, The Fractal Geometry of Nature, and it’s certainly something that is discussed frequently in biophysics and biomathematics circles. But the question naturally arises: Why? The Mandelbrot Set.
Fractals in biology and fundamental recursive design Read More »
As you may have heard from loved ones who have experienced it, morning sickness is common for many women during the early stages of pregnancy, affecting approximately 70% of the pregnant population. However, a small percentage of people in early pregnancy experience a rare form of extreme morning sickness: hyperemesis gravidarum. As explained by University
Breaking down the science: GDF15 protein’s impact on severe morning sickness Read More »
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 »