Biology

An ecosystem of one’s own: The application of ecological theory towards genomics

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, […]

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Northeastern professor collaborates with Tufts’ Division Chief of Pediatric Oncology in preliminary study

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,

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A shifting paradigm: Insight into animal cognition

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

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Poison dart frogs: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

While some dangerous creatures opt for a more subtle approach, the poison dart frog is remarkably considerate for letting predators know ahead of time that it is not to be messed with.  Its vibrant color is meant to signify its high toxicity, an example of aposematism or an animal advertising to its predators that it

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CRISPR’s sickle cell revolution: A key to life

Red blood cells (RBCs) are the single-most important factor in gas exchange with the environment and the key to sustaining life. With approximately 70-80 trillion red blood cells present in human bodies at any given time, these cells constitute 70% of all the cells in the body. RBCs are flat and disk-like, featuring indentations on

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Seaweed and cow burps: A potential solution to climate change?

The slimy and smelly seaweed known to repulse many swimmers and beachgoers may serve as a key mitigation strategy for climate change in the near future. A species of red macroalgae known as Asparagopsis taxiformis has been shown to reduce methane emissions in livestock. Methane is 28 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than

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Treatment of depression through spinal cord stimulation

Currently affecting millions of people worldwide, major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious and chronic mental health condition whose prevalence has only been exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Symptoms include consistently low mood, lack of energy, changes in sleep or appetite, and suicidal thoughts and feelings. A variety of biological, environmental, and psychological factors

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Beyond the senses: COVID-19’s influence on brain maturation and the aging process

For millions of people around the world, COVID-19 was not just a week-long scare; it became a chronic condition. The most familiar symptoms of COVID-19 resemble those of the common cold, but it had a much farther reach than respiratory or muscular difficulties, especially in adolescent communities. Newer concerns are coming to light regarding how

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