Food is often viewed through the lens of cultural dogma — good or bad, healthy or unhealthy — but what scientists have been able to interpret from previous studies is that we may be looking at food’s relative nutrient composition in a bottlenecked way. Certain foods contain varying amounts of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, but […]
Eating for pleasure: How enjoying your food can make it healthier Read More »
When my 81-year-old grandmother first told me she was taking turmeric to help her arthritis, I was skeptical. To me, turmeric was the orange spice that sometimes came out of the cabinet when curry was on the menu. Was my grandmother’s venture into the spice world for medicinal solutions based in fact? She reassured me
Peppered with positives: The health benefits of spices Read More »
Developing and releasing a new drug is one of the most challenging tasks that pharmaceutical companies have. The main effect of this challenge is that about 97 percent of new drug projects fail and never reach the market, resulting in a lack of clinical efficacy. Molecular modeling, however, has proven to be a valuable asset
Revolutionizing drug discovery with molecular modeling Read More »
The coronavirus pandemic triggered a wave of paranoia that left the public susceptible to a variety of health-related propaganda. These myths likely did more harm than good, as people prioritized toilet paper over the physical distancing and protection protocols that we are more accustomed to now. Many widespread myths were dispelled by the World Health
The myth of vitamin C Read More »
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 »