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Blog / Leaf Litter is Beneficial

November 14, 2023November 26, 2023 / Frankie Marchan /

A brief exploration of why leaves change color and fall off of trees during autumn, and how those fallen leaves are beneficial to the ecosystem.

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autumn ecosystem leaf-litter

Blog / The Science of Lip Balm

November 13, 2023November 26, 2023 / Allison Smith / 1

As the temperature cools down, you may find your lips becoming dried and chapped. As you reach for your lip balm, what is the science behind these products?

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Addiction dermatology lips moisturizers skin

Blog / Jack and the Giant Pumpkin: A Tale of Colossal Growth

November 10, 2023 / Runfan Yang /

 What if, instead of magic beans, Jack traded for pumpkin seeds? Would he become a pumpkin giant?

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Coumarin Flavonoid Genetics Horticulture Metabolomics PlantScience PumpkinBiology

Blog / America Runs on the Microbiome

November 9, 2023November 10, 2023 / Tiffany Peters / 1

Why you should be nice to your bacteria: the role of the microbiome in human health.

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bacteria hygiene microbiome

Blog / Synesthesia: The Extraordinary World of Blended Senses

November 7, 2023November 10, 2023 / Sy'keria Garrison /

Synesthesia is a fascinating sensory condition where one sensory pathway is activated, triggering the activation of one or more unrelated pathways. Those who exprience synesthesia experience the world differently as they have an enhanced sense of perception.

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#perception #sensory #synesthesia brain

Blog / Capitol Gains: How US Policies Shape Financial and Human Capital in Science

November 6, 2023 / Danica Dy /

These policies impact what science can be done, who is allowed to conduct it, and who has a say in advising these policies.

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government policy government shutdown grants international students niaid nih Nobel Prize nsf paylines phd Philippines science funding

Blog / Going Green: How neighborhood greenspace improves mental wellbeing

November 1, 2023October 30, 2023 / Erin McNell /

Spending time in nature has benefits beyond improving physical health.

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Biology environment greenspace Mental Health Nature

Blog / Uniquely you…or are you?

October 30, 2023October 31, 2023 / Ivanna Zhilinskaya /

What makes us unique cannot be definitively answered but what kind of unique and known human traits have been recorded can. If you have red hair, can wiggle your ears or sneeze upon looking up at the sun then you’re in a genetically small pool compared to the greater human population.

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Diversity Genetically Unique Genetics population genetics

Blog / Bite-Sized Blues: How Ultra-Processed Foods Nibble at Your Neuro-Wellness

October 27, 2023October 23, 2023 / Yunzhi Qian /

Adopting a balanced diet with whole foods and reducing ultra-processed food intake can potentially enhance brain health and mitigate mental health risks.

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Food Food Science Mental Health nutrition

Blog / “Eclipse” isn’t just a title in the Twilight Saga

October 26, 2023October 23, 2023 / Mikayla Feldbauer /

Solar eclipses are a truly awesome phenomenon. The most recent eclipse visible from the US was in October 2023 but don’t worry if you missed it – the next one is in April of 2024.

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astronomy eclipse natural phenomenon solar eclipse sun

Blog / Smelly Science: What the Nose Knows

October 25, 2023October 29, 2023 / Sophia J. Kennedy /

Your nose is constantly sniffing out information about the people around you.

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disease detection odor olfaction scent sick smell

Blog / Much More than Fears and Tears: Cognitive Impacts in Anxiety and Depression

October 24, 2023October 25, 2023 / Elise Edgar /

Anxiety and depression are incredibly common, but did you know they can impact more than just your emotions? Read on to learn more about the neuroscience behind the lesser known symptoms of these disorders.

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#neuroscience #psychology cognition Mental Health

Blog / Oh Snap, Football’s Back and so are Traumatic Brain Injuries and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

October 20, 2023October 23, 2023 / Shea Ricketts /

Football season is back and so are traumatic brain injuries and the risk for CTE.

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brain concussion CTE Football Neuroscience TBI

Blog / How Society And Our Brains Keep Us Drunk

October 19, 2023October 23, 2023 / Nila Pazhayam /

Some answers to the question of why we drink, from the perspectives of our brains to larger trends in society.

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Addiction Alcohol big alcohol Drug Abuse Neuroscience

Blog / The Need for Diversity in Large-Scale Genetic Studies

October 17, 2023October 18, 2023 / Rachel Sharp / 1

Discover why the lack of diversity in Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) is more than a social issue—it’s a scientific blind spot that could be missing key insights into human genetics.

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Diversity Diversity in STEM gen Genetics genomics Opinions population genetics

Blog / Fact or Myth: There are only two sexes

October 16, 2023October 18, 2023 / Micah Reed Hysong /

Despite being relatively common, our society often does not recognize the existence of intersex people. This article explores the science genetics behind how sex exists on a continuous spectrum.

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equality LGBTQIA2S+

Blog / Boquila trifoliolata: The Shapeshifting Plant

October 11, 2023October 17, 2023 / Quinn Eberhard /

Scientists have discovered a plant that changes appearance to match nearby plants, living or artificial, posing the question: can plants see?

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Biology boquila trifoliolata camouflage evolution mimic plant biology plants shapeshift sight

Blog / Time for Exploration: Ignition of the Space Race

October 4, 2023October 17, 2023 / Syed Masood / 1

History about how the space race started, and the implications of the soviets being the first to get a satellite into space.

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Earth Germany Rockets Russia Satellite Soviet Union space Space Race Sputnik

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