The pink, squishy organ inside our heads is often considered the ultimate biological control center. There is no doubt that the brain is extraordinary, complex, and great at its difficult job of controlling organisms; however, it is not the only player in cognition. Instead, scientists are now realizing that other types of cells possess forms […]
Plants and the ‘roots’ of cognition Read More »
Guys literally only want one thing. Or at least, the male antechinus, an Australian marsupial, seems to prioritize one thing over everything else: sex. These mouse-like animals live fast and die young, forgoing sleep in order to reproduce during their short fertile window. Scientists are, naturally, fascinated by these pocket-sized marsupials and their exciting, mysterious
Live fast, die young: The mysterious life of Australia’s sex-crazed marsupial Read More »
Knowing that animal agriculture is responsible for at least 14.5% of all carbon emissions, scientists have been researching alternatives to the traditional meat diet, with the current leading alternative being meat analogs or “fake meats.” The menus of vegan-friendly, trendy restaurants and even your run-of-the-mill spots, like Burger King, have been featuring items such as
Scientists by day, chefs by night: Cells are being cultured to resemble meat Read More »
Cancer is a disease that impacts an immense amount of people globally. In the US alone, about 5.5% percent of the population has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. However, there is still so much unknown about its cause. The question persists: why is so little known about the cause of cancer? This disease
The unseen cause of cancer Read More »
Stars flicker faintly as the dark horizon reddens. Howling, freezing winds and desolate craters starkly contrast the lush tropical rainforests and coral gardens 10,000 feet below. As the blinding light finally emerges over a sea of swirling clouds, a bright reflection appears from the sparse, reddish slopes. It is a silver plant, radiating under the
Mirror of the sun: The Hawaiian silversword Read More »
The ability to use language to establish relationships and dynamics within an ecosystem sustains the study of ecology. Charles Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” narrative describes the tendencies of natural selection and the likelihood of survival based on an organism’s environmental adjustment. Other terms used by ecologists to classify the relationships between species — mutualism,
An ecosystem of one’s own: The application of ecological theory towards genomics Read More »
With Northeastern University having recently climbed the academic ladder to become a tier one research institution, hundreds of projects are simultaneously emerging with the aim of publishing innovative information. In a newly published study, Northeastern Research Associate Professor Christine Lary collaborated with the Division Chief of Pediatric Oncology at the Tufts University School of Medicine,
We live with two different realities when we interact with animals. We call our pets our “four-legged friends,” appreciate their personalities, love them, and sense their emotions. But for our livestock, such as pigs, cows, and goats, we see eyes devoid of emotion that stare blankly into the distance and don’t think twice when biting
A shifting paradigm: Insight into animal cognition Read More »
Beginning signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can start up to 18 years before a diagnosis ever occurs. In the almost two decades it takes to receive a diagnosis, so much damage has already taken place in the brain that treatment measures can only alleviate symptoms and extend life expectancy by a few years. But,
Could fractals be the cure for Alzheimer’s disease? Read More »