Just two centuries ago, an estimated 70% of people died before the age of 25. In the mid-19th century United States, over 20% of children didn’t make it through their…
Continue ReadingSociality is a key component of primate culture and individual fitness levels. Primate social structures have an impact on both an individual’s mental and physical health, and social isolation in infants can have detrimental effects to development.
Continue ReadingMost likely, you’ve taken an antibiotic before – whether it was a tablet like penicillin or a topical cream like NEOSPORIN. Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial and fungal infections like…
Continue ReadingCellulose is the most abundant plant polymer, and its chemical manipulation has been a goal for years. Now in just two steps, a plastic starting material can be made from raw cellulose sources in decent yield that could be used to make useful plastics that are biodegradable outside of an industrial composter.
Continue ReadingOn June 10th, 2020, scientists were called to strike in support of Black lives by the Shutdown STEM movement, an intersectional group of scientists and academics that brought attention to…
Continue ReadingMeditation has enjoyed a rise in popularity over the years, but how much of its benefits are grounded in scientific fact? In this post, I explore the science behind meditation, its implications for depression, and potential for even combating racism.
Continue ReadingThe American medical system should be free from racial prejudice, but science tells us this isn’t the case. Here we take a look at the history of racism in medical research and why it’s important for everyone, from trainees in the biomedical sciences to the general public, to be educated about
Continue ReadingConsuming news in such high quantities, especially during the COVID-19 era, is sure to have lasting effects. How has media consumption changed and how concerned do we need to be about our addiction to being constantly informed?
Continue ReadingFemale scientists seem to be publishing less during the pandemic. Exploring the reasons behind this reveals potential long-term implications for the progress of diversity in science as a result of COVID-19.
Continue ReadingExamining the hidden chemistry of art restorations
Continue ReadingThe world lately feels more than ever like something out of a science fiction novel. Here we dive into CRISPR, a technology designed and used to edit genomes.
Continue ReadingScientists observed a green aurora on Mars, which is the first time a green aurora has been seen on a planet other than Earth.
Continue ReadingSleeping has evolved in every animal despite it’s apparent lack of useful adaptation. When we’re asleep, we can’t run from predators, hunt food or do other activities necessary to survive. But, sleep is very useful for our overall health and brain health, so many animals have found a number of crazy adaptations to get the benefits of sleep and minimize the risk.
Continue ReadingA recent article published by an international chemistry journal faced huge backlash for its stance on workplace diversity and the grad student/PI relationship. Here, I unpack some of the issues, including racism in chemistry, that this article brought to light.
Continue ReadingCan the terrible twos be avoided? A recent study provides hope for parents.
Continue ReadingLet’s learn about early Victorian copper plate photography (daguerreotypes) and how scientists are using high powered X-ray beams to bring to life these fragile antiques.
Continue ReadingScience has long been complicit in the perpetuation of racism. Recently, psychologists confronted the fact that racist science is still being published.
Continue ReadingAs COVID-19 emerged as a major health crisis in the United States, meatpacking plants have become hotbeds for the disease. The sheer number of infected workers necessitated the closure of…
Continue Reading