Light is, arguably, the reason we exist. Billions of years ago, the first cells utilized light as a source of energy using photosynthesis, thus set the stage for complex multicellular life. Light, the source of all energy we consume, creates vitamin D in our skin and allows our most precious sensory organs, our eyes, to […]
How Life Began to See Read More »
“The greatest happiness is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see those dear to them bathed in tears, to clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters.” This quote, by Genghis Khan, perfectly illustrates one key reason why the mutation in his Y chromosome was
Genghis Khan: Better than other warlords at more than just conquering land Read More »
If someone were to ask you the directions to a store, you may be able to explain the directions verbally, point to the general location, or even show them the location on a map. These abilities are largely restricted to humans, but other organisms have developed the ability to communicate in unique ways — notably,
Communicating through (waggle) dance Read More »
By May 2022, over 1 million people had died due to COVID-19 in the United States. The COVID-19 illness, which refers to the set of symptoms people experience, is caused by the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. The pandemic has not only affected the United States but the entire world as well. This respiratory
Pandemic, Paranoia, Paxlovid Read More »
Popular culture has birthed an archetype of the crazy cat lady: a middle-aged woman with more cats than people in her life, unable to properly care for them and her home. Seen as both offensive and humorously affectionate, this often disheveled or reclusive image has brought into question the legitimacy of these behavioral patterns. As
Toxoplasmosis: Can you catch crazy cat lady syndrome? Read More »
The Bajau people of Southeast Asia spend 60 percent of their workday underwater. Commonly known as the Sea Nomads, the Bajau population has survived for over 1,000 years collecting and hunting food through underwater diving. Their extraordinary breath-holding capabilities seem almost humanly impossible. When the brain experiences hypoxia — the deficiency of oxygen in bodily
Spleen or scuba tank? How we hold our breath for longer underwater Read More »
The world record for the 100 meter dash is 9.58 seconds. A record set by Usain Bolt after beating his own preceding record at the previous Olympic Games. With such impressive records already, it has become onerous to imagine how Olympic records can continue to get broken, yet every round of Olympic events brings a
Breaking records at record pace: How biomechanics have influenced the Olympics Read More »
It should come as no surprise that global warming is as bad as ever, and the future is not looking great. And while the entire world is feeling the effects of human actions on the environment, certain places are suffering worse than others. Specifically, the Arctic has felt consequences unlike ever before. Due to mass
Phytoplankton: The chaotic backbone of the Arctic Read More »
On October 4, 2021, David Julius and Ardem Pataoutian won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering how we can distinguish pain from spicy food and warmth from a hug. Their discovery marks a major leap in our understanding of how the human body converts sensations from the environment to electrical signals that the brain
Hot and touching research wins 2021 Nobel Prize Read More »