Latest Articles
The 2020 Curious Science Writers Boot Camp Was Like No Other
It was the middle of July 2020. The world was gripped in the throes of COVID-19. It was a summer unlike any other. With schools across the country closed for the pandemic, countless summer learning opportunities also came to a standstill.. With a dearth of engagement and enrichment…
Innovation in Modern Drug Development Using Microchips
Imagine a clear chip, like a computer chip, the size of an USB stick. Now imagine these small chips can represent and simulate the basic function, organization and activities of a full-sized human organs. It sounds crazy. But microchips such as these, could have the power to modernize…
How Monkeys Provide Insights into the Development of Prosthetic Limbs
Imagine a gorgeous day with the sun beaming down on your face. It’s a pleasant afternoon for a saunter, passing through crosswalks and roads that span the city. Unfortunately, your tranquility is suddenly shattered.
Combatting COVID-19 with Help from Genetically Engineered Mice
While three COVID-19 vaccines are currently being administered, with the latest receiving FDA approval in late February, efforts to develop additional candidates remain in the pipeline. In the past, it has usually taken 10 to 15 years for vaccine development. This lengthy process helps ensure safety and effectiveness.
Lessons from Salamanders: Could Humans Ever Regenerate Limbs?
Imagine having to undergo an arm amputation due to a severe trauma or infection. Sure, you could wear a prosthetic to perform some daily functions, but you could never get the arm back. Or could you?
Can Herpes Unravel the Mysteries of Alzheimer’s Disease?
Understanding the neurological symptoms of Alzheimer’s, researchers found surprising similarities with herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). HSV-1 is a DNA virus that lives in a dormant state in cells within the nervous system.
Could Sea Sponges Wipe Out Tuberculosis?
In Brief Tuberculosis (TB) is a resilient, deadly, airborne infectious disease. It is a leading cause of death by infectious diseases worldwide. Sea sponges could hold the key to fighting this highly resistant disease by inhibiting the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB. Many Americans…
From Insult to Injury: Pollution and the Brain
In Brief 90% of the U.S population is exposed to high levels of air pollution. Some researchers are studying how synthetic chemicals found in common household items enter the ocean and spread throughout the food web. For example, they've found pollutants in tissue samples taken from seabirds. One…
The Future of Prosthetics: Replacement Limbs That Mimic Real Ones
In Brief Robotic prostheses can already restore some level of function, but they don’t often feel natural. Researchers at the MIT Biomechatronics Lab have been developing lower limb prostheses that feel like a natural extension of the human body. These robotic limbs use a variety of different techniques…
CRISPR: Cutting its way across the scientific world
STORY UPDATE: In 2020, CRISPR pioneers Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for pioneering the CRISPR technology. In Brief CRISPR/Cas9 is a relatively new, multifaceted gene editing technology. Prior to the advent of this technology, other scientific tools were available to achieve…