For centuries, alchemists, ancient forerunners of chemists, set out to transmute one element into another. This prospect attracted people of a variety of different professions from miners to natural philosophers to goldsmiths. Even physicians of ancient times grew interested in alchemy, as many saw the biochemical reactions within the human body as transmutational processes. Today, […]
The search for the Midas touch Read More »
Is time travel only possible in science fiction? Are humans capable of journeying to the past and into the future? Time travel may not be a concept exclusive to “Back to the Future.” According to scientists across several disciplines, time travel has a multitude of definitions. In fact, humans engage in several forms. Firstly, all
Mental time travel: A universally human experience Read More »
With recent quarantining and social distancing measures, many people have sought out companionship in an unexpected way: buying more plants. For those of us who have experienced the successes and losses of caring for houseplants, it is quite evident that these organisms are highly responsive to their environment — whether that be light, soil pH,
Root intelligence: Are plants conscious? Read More »
On September 30 2020, Lacino Hamilton was released from a prison near Detroit, Michigan after serving 26 years for a crime he did not commit — thanks to a piece of DNA the size of a grain of salt. The DNA technology used to clear Hamilton did not become widespread until the late 1990s, after
Most people look forward to finally lying down to sleep at the end of a long day. This can be especially true for college students, as 70.6 percent attain fewer than the medically advised 8 hours per night, according to a study by the National Sleep Foundation. Despite many years of research, the exact function
Stop studying and go to bed: The impact of sleep on learning Read More »
Genetics. Genomic sequencing. DNA. While the technical aspect of genetic testing may appear daunting to most, the personal touch of at-home testing kits has made companies, like 23andMe, millions of dollars. The kits are marketed as a novel, individual adventure and as gifts for birthdays, the holiday season, and Father’s and Mother’s Day. The aspects
At-home ancestry testing: A microcosm of the state of diversity in science Read More »
Cognitive decline, characterized by the loss of memory and higher-level thinking skills, is a natural part of aging, having many causes that scientists are still trying to understand. However, researchers have found that engaging in certain lifestyle choices can increase or decrease later cognitive function. Participating in these activities won’t nullify pre-existing genetic factors, but
Can engaging with music protect against cognitive decline? Read More »
We’ve all seen it. We see it on street corners, subway stations, in shelters. It runs rampant through cities, plaguing communities, friends, and families. Addiction is everywhere, and it clings to its victims, taking over their lives and wiring itself deep into their neural pathways, making itself the sole focus of their attention. Our brains
Imagine a hypothetical contest comparing the intelligence of all organisms with a brain. It can be reasonably guessed that the winner would be the human brain. Yet, what makes our brains superior to other organisms if it’s not the largest or even the most complex? To answer this question, researchers face the daunting task of
From caveman to modern man: The development of the human brain Read More »