Extending a human’s lifetime sounds like something that would only exist in a fictional realm. A recently published study, though, shows that this ability may one day be achievable in our own world. A common theory regarding the mechanism that drives aging is that the accumulation of genetic mutations eventually causes cells to lose their […]
Out with the old: Geneticists reversed aging in mice Read More »
Although mice don’t have Instagram likes or followers to keep track of, social status is still a huge part of their societies. There is a clear hierarchy, with the top mice receiving first pick when it comes to food and mates and subordinate mice scrambling for whatever’s left. As shown by a study at Zhejiang
Of mice and mental health: How loss of social status leads to depression Read More »
This article contains spoilers for Naughty Dog and HBO’s “The Last of Us.” The recent television adaptation of Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed video game “The Last of Us” has sparked renewed attention to its source material. The game paints a dismal picture: Humanity has fallen to the cordyceps fungus, which infects humans and takes complete
Nature has provided endless wonder and inspiration for philosophers and artists since the birth of civilization. Now, increasing numbers of scientists have turned to Mother Nature, not as a source of beauty and contemplation, but to seek her guidance as the most resourceful engineer. In 1997, author Janine Benyus coined the term “biomimicry” to describe
Transparency is a critical element of science. A fundamental principle of any experiment is reproducibility, or the ability for an experiment to be reproduced by any researcher, which is impossible without researchers being transparent about the conditions of the initial experiment. But transparency is also important to ensure that policymakers, healthcare providers, and members of
Open access: A new age of research publication Read More »
From social distancing guidelines to stay-at-home orders to government-mandated shutdowns, the way people partake in society has changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. To stay afloat, businesses have adapted responses to these changes and have greatly benefitted themselves and society. During pandemics, it is expected that people will hold onto their assets rather than spend,
Businesses and research resilience during COVID-19 Read More »
Amid the late-night bustle of an Irish bar in Boston, Northeastern professor Dr. Samuel Scarpino focuses on the glow of a laptop screen with a visiting colleague from Oxford. It is mid-February of 2020, and the two are writing the first manuscript for a paper about a disease outbreak in Wuhan, China. They publish the
Of all species living in marine environments on Earth, the relatively inconspicuous starfish may appear to live a simple existence on the seafloor. However, these organisms demonstrate striking abilities to perceive their environment, one of many characteristics that has led to their success as a species. This success is evident in their diversity — there
Sensing the sea: Researching the adaptations of starfish Read More »
Content Warning: This article discusses but condemns racism, ableism, and eugenics. Before seeing a single patient, every doctor learns the ultimate maxim of healthcare: primum non nocere — first, do no harm. The principle of nonmaleficence is essential to medicine, and this ethical tenet grants the field a strong level of trust among the public.
Scientific research’s unsavory past Read More »