Huge Icefish Nesting Site Shapes the Local Ecosystem
Scientists discover the largest fish breeding colony to date in the Antarctic and explore how the nests affect the surrounding ecosystem. Continue reading Huge Icefish Nesting Site Shapes the Local Ecosystem
A Deadly Mix: Wildfires and Urban Air Pollution Create Toxic Ozone
Wildfires are contributing to increases in urban ozone pollution a potential health risk for those with respiratory conditions. Continue reading A Deadly Mix: Wildfires and Urban Air Pollution Create Toxic Ozone
New Molecule Repairs Spinal Cord Injury, Helping Paralyzed Mice Walk Again
Scientists recently discovered a ‘dancing molecule’ that is able to treat mice with spinal cord injury. Continue reading New Molecule Repairs Spinal Cord Injury, Helping Paralyzed Mice Walk Again
Sensitization: Why everything might hurt when it looks like nothing is wrong
by Beatrice Awasthifigures by Allie Elchert Millions of Americans struggle with chronic pain. While the pain sometimes has a clear source—for instance, an arthritic joint or a damaged tendon—oftentimes, people feel pain without any obvious signs of damage at all. This can be extremely distressing, as such patients may deal with stigmatization or invalidation of their pain by others who suggest that the pain is … Continue reading Sensitization: Why everything might hurt when it looks like nothing is wrong
Life as We Know Itch: How our body creates this irritating sensation
by Garrett Dunlapfigures by Xiaomeng Han What do a homemade sweater, a new laundry detergent, and a mosquito all have in common? All of these things have the potential to cause the uncomfortable, and sometimes maddening, sensation of itch. In fact, itching can be the result of many different things, including allergies, insect bites, illness, medication, and dry skin. But what exactly is an itch, … Continue reading Life as We Know Itch: How our body creates this irritating sensation
Plasma for Fusion: How magnets are paving the way for clean energy
by Brianna Alicofigures by Aparna Nathan The phrase “energy crisis” likely brings to mind rising gas prices, drying up oil reserves, increasing greenhouse gases, climate change, and the like. Scientists, politicians, and civilians alike are working to combat this crisis by creating plans and developing clean energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines, which generate energy with relatively little carbon emission. Currently, wind … Continue reading Plasma for Fusion: How magnets are paving the way for clean energy
Arabia Terra on Mars Once Had Water — But Only Briefly
Temperature studies of rocks on Mars reveal water was briefly present in a part called Arabia Terra. Continue reading Arabia Terra on Mars Once Had Water — But Only Briefly
Microglia: The protectors of the brain
by Muhammet M. Ozturkfigures by Wei Wu For decades, scientists have been intrigued by how the brain controls the body. This curiosity led them to discover neurons, the brain’s messenger cells. Neurons, which receive, transmit, and process information, are arguably the most famous cells in our brain. The attention they get might suggest that the brain is only made up of neurons. However, about half … Continue reading Microglia: The protectors of the brain
Finding Life in Space: Why are we so special?
by Wei Lifigures by Catherine Ding The universe is massive, with an estimated 70 quintillion planets—that is 70 followed by an additional 18 zeros. In the Milky Way alone, where we reside, there are billions of planets. With these huge numbers, Earth seems very insignificant in the grand scheme of things. This raises the question: are we truly alone in this vast space of the … Continue reading Finding Life in Space: Why are we so special?
Grand Evolutionary Transitions: The eruption of multicellularity
by Piyush Nandafigures by Corena Loeb Around 600 million years ago, single-celled life transitioned to multicellular life forms, begetting a paradigm shift in the definition of life on earth. This was an event so remarkable in earth’s timeline that it would set the stage for the evolution of complex organisms, from sponges to the human body we each reside in. These complex life forms eventually … Continue reading Grand Evolutionary Transitions: The eruption of multicellularity