Latest Articles
Unzipping the Links Between Genetics and Disease
While treating patients with Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (hyper IgE syndrome), a condition caused by a genetic mutation that weakens the immune system. Dr. Alexandra Freeman noticed an interesting link to the symptoms of Covid-19. Freeman, who is a senior clinician in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious…
Unveiling the Symphony of AI and Radiology: Decoding Medical Imaging Analysis
Beep. Beep. Beep. You lie on the MRI table, surrounded by the soft hum of the gigantic machinery. It’s an ordinary moment for many, but have you ever wondered about the role that these machines play in your health care journey? These images hold the key to understanding…
From Sci-Fi Fears to Medical Miracles: AI Could Make Medical Imaging Cheaper and More Accessible
In the Terminator movies, an artificial intelligence (AI) program named Skynet takes over the world. Skynet starts a nuclear war that destroys most of the human population and sends cyborgs known as Terminators to eliminate any survivors. Whenever the topic of AI comes up, many people think of…
Sea Anemone Venom: Enemy to Marine Prey, Potential Cure for Humans
“With fronds like these, who needs anemones?” Marlin, the main antagonist in Pixar’s beloved animated movie Finding Nemo, was just making a joke when he said this memorable line, yet, the talking clownfish brings up a good point: why do we need anemones? Though anemones frequently appear in…
When Bioinformatics Looks like Hot Dogs: How T-Cell and B-Cell Epitope Prediction Preps You Against Pathogens
There are always new viruses emerging, and, like SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, they are constantly evolving into different variants or strains. Researchers are racing to find vaccines and therapies that can improve outcomes for patients worldwide, using methods ranging from traditional lab work to computational biology (bioinformatics), and…
Tiny Worms, Big Discoveries: C. Elegans as a Powerful Model for Parkinson’s Disease
In the field of neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease poses a significant challenge to both affected patients and scientists. In addition to the motor-related symptoms of the disease, such as tremors, stiffness and balance problems, people with Parkinson’s can experience depression, anxiety, and hallucinations. While scientists and doctors know…
Lessons From Seychelles: How Birds Can Help Us Live Healthier Lives
What does aging gracefully mean to you? To me, it means keeping your body healthy in such a way that you can live your life to the fullest. For many senior citizens, aging gracefully is not a reality. From complex ailments to the day to day aches, many…
Printing Possibilities: How Bioprinting Can Transform Drug Development
You’re a scientist in a lab, and you’ve worked tirelessly to develop a treatment for a disease. After a decade’s worth of research, your drug has finally passed animal screening and is on its way to a clinical trial. While you may be towards the end of the…
Using Fruit Fly Models to Study Memory Disorders
Dementia is currently one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide, and Alzheimer’s disease is one of the key causes of dementia. Alzheimer’s causes loss of memory and other important mental functions such as behavioral and social skills. Alzheimer’s is thought to be…
Smokejumpers: Heroes in an Emerging Public Health Emergency
On August 5, 1949, Eldon E.Diettert was celebrating his 19th birthday with his family when he got the call. Diettert was part of the Missoula, Montana, smokejumper force. As a student in the Forestry department at the University of Montana, Diettert was passionate about protecting the environment and…