With an estimated 50 million people living with dementia around the world, the recent connection between dementia and meditation shows promise for using mindfulness as an effective practice to delay brain and cognitive changes. Current studies are exploring the benefits of instilling this practice for patients with an early form of dementia called mild cognitive […]
A promising connection between dementia and meditation Read More »
The race to develop a vaccine for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic spans across the world as the virus continues to take thousands of lives every day. Unfortunately, the fastest vaccines typically take at least five years to fully develop; this includes multiple failed attempts before commercializing an effective vaccine that successfully passes all clinical trials
Vaccine development: From the lab bench to the doctor’s office Read More »
The body is a well-designed system with a variety of barriers to keep invaders out. These range from the physical barriers of the skin to the biological protection of the immune system. However, the structures of the face such as the eyes, nose, and mouth represent major vulnerabilities. The nose and mouth are an interconnected
The role of mucins in disease transmission Read More »
Boston takes pride in being one of the scientific research capitals of the world. With some of the most prestigious universities funneling students and professors alike into small start-ups in Kendall Square and Seaport, Bostonian biotechnology has blossomed into a multi-billion dollar industry. At Northeastern University, the biotech industry has provided thousands of cooperative education
Two sides of the coin: Boston biotech’s role in COVID-19 Read More »
The human body is a grand hotel for trillions of microbes. Microbes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, collectively known as the gut microbiota, partake in a mutualistic relationship with humans by assisting in functions that maintain human health. However, the gut microbiota can be affected by factors such as diet, genetics, antibiotics, and probiotics, to
A Gut Feeling: How microbes in the gut can influence our mood Read More »
If your bed seems like the ideal spot to munch on your favorite snack, or if a particular booth beckons to you every time you walk into your favorite diner, it’s probably because you already have some tasty memories associated with that location. Whether we like it or not, many of our autonomous “decisions” are
How Spatial Mapping in the Brain Incorporates Tastes Read More »
There seem to be warnings everywhere about the short term consequences of a poor collegiate diet. Reminders about the importance of exercise and a healthy diet are plastered on the walls of freshman residence halls. The mere thought of the infamous “Freshman 15” seems to haunt the minds of every student at Stetson East’s dining
Beyond the Freshman 15: The effects of a poor diet during early adulthood Read More »
Imagine a well-oiled machine in a factory that works continuously to produce a product of your choice. Occasionally, one or two parts might become old or worn-out and will need to be replaced to ensure a well-functioning factory. In this scenario, your first instinct might be to effectively remove the faulty components and potentially recycle
Eating yourself to survive: Autophagy in cells Read More »
It’s well known that sugar is addictive and consuming too much of it can be a risk factor for a variety of health problems including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. As a result, many food companies use non-nutritive sweeteners, also known as low calorie or artificial sweeteners, to replace sugar in their products. Artificial sweeteners
Low calorie or low quality? Read More »