Environment

Fruit that lasts forever! How gene editing may answer the problem of postharvest waste

Biology, Environment / /

Crisp apples, plump tomatoes, juicy berries, and citrusy oranges are endless luxuries in the middle of Boston’s cold, dead winter. Despite slush and ice covering grass and sidewalks, grocery shelves are fertile with everyone’s favorite produce. However, the fresh fruits and vegetables that fill the aisles involve a lengthy journey and intense science to get […]

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Blooms of doom: How toxic algae is harming marine life on the west coast

Environment / /

It’s no secret that climate change is responsible for a plethora of environmental issues, and according to recent research, a giant and toxic algal bloom off the west coast of the United States can be added to the long list of climate change–induced disasters.   According to a 2020 study published in Frontiers in Climate and

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Tree sexism: Why — Achoo! — allergies get so bad

Biology, Environment / /

As spring approaches, albeit slowly, the threat of allergies encroaches. Seasonal allergies, often due to pollen, leave the afflicted congested, with itchy eyes and more. These symptoms all stem from a common denominator: pollen, or in other words, plant sperm. The immune system is primed to maintain balance in the body by removing potential threats,

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Mush-room for improvement: Harnessing the powers of fungi and technology

Environment, Technology / /

Our world is embracing smart technology, especially those available to consumers like a Fitbit or an Apple Watch. Smart wearables are everywhere, and most people have or know of someone who has at least one form of them. Although smart wearables are at the forefront of everyone’s minds, what if we thought about them in

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Seed banks: So humans can stop & smell the roses for generations to come

Biology, Environment / /

When considering endangered species, people often think of animals like the white rhino, polar bear, or dodo bird. What people often fail to consider is the fact that plants can be equally as susceptible to being endangered or going extinct, often from human impacts.  Plants are just as vulnerable as animal species to the impacts

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