When Sick, Bats Isolate
Researchers found that sick bats will socially isolate from healthy bats. Continue reading When Sick, Bats Isolate
Category: Blog
Converting Plastic Waste into Fuel
Plastic waste is a huge problem in the world, but only 9% of plastic waste each year is recycled. Recently, researchers discovered a more efficient method of plastic recycling that can hopefully incentivize plastic recycling in the near future. Continue reading Converting Plastic Waste into Fuel
Vaccine hesitancy: More than a pandemic
by Edward Chen Historical evidence shows that developing safe vaccines is necessary to protect the world from deadly diseases. But that’s only one part of the solution. After all, what’s the benefit of having vaccines that people don’t want to use? Enter vaccine hesitancy. Defined by a World Health Organization (WHO) working group as a “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite availability of … Continue reading Vaccine hesitancy: More than a pandemic
How do COVID-19 vaccines work? Hear from a researcher who helped develop the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
by Edward Chen The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed rapid technological advancements as scientists and engineers mobilize to combat its toll on human lives. Time is of the essence, and after rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness, there are now 3 vaccines with emergency approval in the United States that are all based on relatively new concepts. Two of the vaccines are based on messenger RNA … Continue reading How do COVID-19 vaccines work? Hear from a researcher who helped develop the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
When Cells Die a Fiery Death: Pyroptosis as a cell’s response to damage and infection
by Haim Mooregraphics by MacKenzie Mauger When you get sick or injured, you will usually notice redness, heat, swelling, and pain. These symptoms are, interestingly, not the result of the pathogen or damage themselves, but rather of the reaction of your own immune system to them. These are typical manifestations of inflammation, the coordinated rush of many different immune cells to the site of injury … Continue reading When Cells Die a Fiery Death: Pyroptosis as a cell’s response to damage and infection
The Power of Gene Drives: Altering Species Without Losing Control
Novel CRISPR-based gene drive technology engineers fruit flies to introduce desired genes into a population in a controlled manner. Continue reading The Power of Gene Drives: Altering Species Without Losing Control
Improving the Power Grid’s Resilience with Renewable Energy Resources
A theoretical study finds that restructuring the US electricity power grid to rely solely on renewable energy sources will improve the grid’s resilience to local disruptions. Continue reading Improving the Power Grid’s Resilience with Renewable Energy Resources
How Our Brains Estimate Time
by Isabella Grabskifigures by Allie Elchert There are many ways in which our brains track, process, and use time to help us function. One mechanism by which they do so is motor timing. Motor timing relates to our ability to carry out any physical task where time estimation, often done unconsciously, is needed to successfully coordinate our movements. Take, for instance, the task of playing a … Continue reading How Our Brains Estimate Time
Ultrawhite Rooftops Could Help Cool the Planet
A new type of ultrawhite paint could help keep buildings cooler and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Continue reading Ultrawhite Rooftops Could Help Cool the Planet
Understanding Our Evolution through our Mouth Microbes
An international team of researchers sequenced the microbes from dental scrapings of Neanderthals to understand more about their diet. Continue reading Understanding Our Evolution through our Mouth Microbes