What if hand sanitizer was actually increasing our risk of viral and bacterial infection? While hand sanitizer has emerged as a panacea for preventing viruses and bacterial diseases, is it as reliable as we think? The impacts of consistently using hand sanitizer are of even greater importance now amidst a global pandemic, in which the […]
The perils of hand sanitizer Read More »
For most of our lives, it has been engrained in us that illnesses are primarily caused by unhygienic environmental factors. However, in the case of leukemia, recent studies have shown that it may very well be the opposite. With an annual incidence in the United States of approximately 3,800 children per year, leukemia is the
The paradox of leukemia and cleanliness Read More »
Tea bags, coffee cups, clothing, soda cans, and gum are only a select few items that surprisingly all contain some form of plastic. The more obvious plastic water bottles, bags, electronics, and containers further display how humans live in a plastic-filled world. Although innovation and standard of living have greatly improved since its invention, plastic
A world without plastic? The pros and cons of plastic Read More »
A single traumatic experience can shape the rest of one’s life for better or worse — but more likely for the latter. This idea is certainly disturbing, as almost 70 percent of adults in the United States, or 223.3 million people, have dealt with a traumatic experience such as abuse, violence, or grief. Young adults
Losing your train of thought with traumatic experiences: Is it for the best? Read More »
You may have been warned to stay away from fatty foods, eat fat-free, or cut fat from your diet, but just 100 years ago companies were heralding a new type of fat as the food of the future, a healthy addition to all meals and necessary for a balanced diet. This new fat was hydrogenated
Trans fats: Miracle food or fad faux pas? Read More »
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 »
For over 200 people across the world, the words “snow” and “static” are neither associated with winter weather nor poor connection on an analog television. This small cohort makes up the documented cases of visual static syndrome, also called visual snow syndrome (VSS). For these people, everything in their sight is overlaid with the characteristic
Visual static/visual snow: An exercise in perspective Read More »
It’s more common to hear about recovery in the context of physical disorders than mental ones; the phrase “recovering from a hip injury” rolls off the tongue easier than “recovering from opioid use.” What creates this stigma around the discussion of mental recovery? One reason may be that struggling with mental health has yet to
What science says about ‘bouncing back’ 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 »