Biology

The eclipse effect: How do animals react to strange celestial phenomena?

Biology, Culture / /

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 […]

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Molecular weightlifting: RNA-based therapeutics in treating cancer 

Biology, Health / /

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

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Experimental evolution: Can scientists evolve bacteria to manage hazardous waste?

Biology, Environment / /

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

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Fractals in biology and fundamental recursive design

Biology, Health, Physics / /

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.

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Breaking down the science: GDF15 protein’s impact on severe morning sickness

Biology, Health / /

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

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Cell-ebrity avoidance: How tumors avoid immune cells

Biology, Health / /

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

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Like a moth to a flame: Why insects are attracted to light

Biology, Environment / /

Watching swarms of tiny insects dive into burning fires can be fascinating, but what drives them to this fiery death? From the first man-made fire to modern light fixtures, artificial illumination has drawn insects in, often to their deaths. Until now, it has been widely theorized that insects are attracted to light, even when it

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A new hope: Rat recollection and a glimpse into the future of prosthetics       

Biology / /

Moving objects with your mind has always been an element of science fiction, popularized as an iconic feature of the “force” in the pop culture-defining series “Star Wars.” But recent advancements in brain-machine interfaces, or BMIs, are working to bring fantasy to fruition. With the power of deep learning algorithms, even lab rats are becoming

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The Ikigai of the cell: Unveiling the mitochondrial theory of aging

Biology, Health, World / /

Imagine the sun-kissed shores of Okinawa, where residents embrace the Ikigai philosophy — a lifelong pursuit of purpose intertwined with passion, skill, and societal contribution. This idyllic island serves as a testament to the potential for extended, vibrant lives. Now, let’s embark on a journey, into the microscopic realm of cells, where the mitochondrial theory

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