Latest Articles
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…
Schools of Fish Change Schools of Thought: How Zebrafish Can Help Scientists Treat Genetic Diseases
For many years, rodents have been the core of biological experiments to understand living systems and disease. We might picture mice running around, caged in rooms illuminated only by fluorescent lights. This is the image that comes into many of our minds when we hear the words “scientific…
A Boy’s Best Friend: Dogs are Helping Researchers Dig Up a Cure to Muscular Disorders
Among the extensive assortment of household pets—from furry guinea pigs and vocal parakeets to scaly bearded dragons—dogs are the most popular pet around the world. Commonly known as ‘man’s best friend,’ dogs not only offer valuable companionship, but also have remarkable capabilities. Throughout history, humans have trained canines…
How Virtual Reality is Helping Autism Patients
Imagine stepping into your favorite movie, show, or video game—surrounded by a fantasy world. That is the power of virtual reality (VR): to immerse someone in an experience they can’t get in real life. But what if we were able to use that power to reflect reality and…
The rise of disease-causing bacteria: How climate change may impact your health
You may want to think twice before you eat a raw oyster or dive into the ocean to escape a hot day. While microscopic, a collection of disease-causing bacteria known as Vibrio are becoming more and more abundant as climate change creates the ideal conditions for their spread…
Seeing the Future: How Retinal Organoids Might Hold the Key to Curing Blindness
We use cameras every day. They’re on our phones, in buildings, and even inside us. Yes, you heard that right. Our eyes, those uniquely intricate organs that we use to perceive the world around us, are more similar to a camera than you might think. Although one is…
Immunotherapy: The Next Frontier in Cancer Treatment
Here’s a sobering statistic: 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetimes. The statistic is even graver in the United Kingdom, where studies estimate that half the population will develop cancer in the future. Science is now catching up, however. Ever since…
Curious Science Writers Class of 2023 – The Summer Boot Camp
Curious Science Writers is an innovative program hosted by Americans for Medical Progress that selects a group of high school students through a highly competitive application process. Students who are curious, creative and committed to advancing the art of science communication can apply to become writers, editors, graphic…
The Mouse That Gave Hope to Celiacs Around the Globe
“No more naan,” they said. A bread that served as a centerpiece of my Pakistani culture was, for the first time in my life, restricted. Seeing my disappointed face and relatively empty stomach, my mom brought out what seemed to be a more measly-looking batch of naan. “This…