Animals have long provided assistance to humans in times of great need. Countless heroic animals have saved human lives — dogs can undergo training to track missing persons, detect an oncoming seizure, or alert humans to mines underground. During the COVID-19 pandemic, animals continue to impact human lives (beyond interrupting Zoom calls). As knowledge about […]
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 »
Some people love eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and some could go into anaphylactic shock if you eat one in the same room as them. Peanut allergies are one of the most common food allergies in the United States, and are particularly dangerous because peanut products are highly prevalent, making the risk of cross-contamination
One tough nut: A new exposure-therapy drug could treat one of the most common allergies Read More »
The restaurant industry thrives from its promise of a sensory experience that enhances the consumption of food. Whether it be the ambient lighting, the flaming flat top grills visible behind the counter, or the aroma from the kitchen, these restaurants may truly be onto something. The intake of food often involves more than just taste,
In the mood for food? Could be a change of scenery Read More »
July is the peak of the summer with an average high temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time, hydration is extremely important, for it prevents us from feeling tired and fatigued. Water is vital to life, as it keeps our bodies functioning normally. However, people usually overlook hydration as a stress reliever. The human
Water and mental health Read More »
You have probably heard about Dunkin’s new Beyond Sausage sandwich, Burger King’s Impossible Burger, or even White Castle’s vegan sliders. The new trend of fake meats has been sweeping the nation’s fast food sector, meeting both excitement and resentment. Some say the new trend will help limit greenhouse gases from being released while others have
Trends in vegetarian food science Read More »
As World War II drew to a close, the world began to wonder about how to move forward from the devastation left behind. Hundreds of thousands of people had gone years without sufficient food due to wartime rationing or concentration camps, and doctors were left with the task of physically rehabilitating the affected population. Up
The Minnesota Starvation Experiment: How we know what we know about diet 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 »