Health and Disease

The way our bodies work and what makes us sick.

Why can’t you look at the sun during a solar eclipse?

Why can’t you look at the sun during a solar eclipse?

by Gabrielle Bais On April 8th 2024, a total solar eclipse was visible across the continental United States. This is…

Stress and Health: Should We Be Stressed about Stress?

Stress and Health: Should We Be Stressed about Stress?

by Hazel Milla Stress is a normal part of our daily lives that can help us focus and address challenges,…

Plants aren’t the only ones who need the sun

Plants aren’t the only ones who need the sun

by Chelsea Smith Have you ever noticed yourself feeling happier and more energetic in summer months? Well, the increased exposure…

Long COVID: Haunted by the PASC

Long COVID: Haunted by the PASC

by Tiffany Ko It’s hard to believe that four years have already passed since the World Health Organization (WHO) announced…

This is your brain on social media

This is your brain on social media

by Maya Bluitt Image source It’s a scenario all too familiar: Imagine you’re writing a paper for a class when…

It Smells Like I’ve Been Here Before: The Link Between Smell and Memory

It Smells Like I’ve Been Here Before: The Link Between Smell and Memory

by Karly Forker  Whenever I smell a specific brand of laundry detergent, I am instantly transported back to my college…

The Stress Response

The Stress Response

by Hazel Milla Stress is a normal part of our daily lives that can help us succeed or lead to…

100 Years of Wolbachia

100 Years of Wolbachia

By Olivia Conway In the past several decades, researchers and physicians have made tremendous advances towards reducing the death rates…

Runner’s High: The Science Behind The Bliss 

Runner’s High: The Science Behind The Bliss 

by Karly Forker Sweat glistening, muscles burning, and suddenly, a wave of relaxation and happiness washes over you. This phenomenon…

Prions: the infectious agent that comes from within 

Prions: the infectious agent that comes from within 

by Jenna Grabowski  When people hear the term “infectious disease,” they typically think of diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, or…

The Teenage Brain: A Method to the Madness

The Teenage Brain: A Method to the Madness

by Maya Bluitt Just about anybody would agree that your teenage years are both the best and worst times of…

Why are we allergic to cats? 

Why are we allergic to cats? 

by Chelsea Smith You walk into a friend’s house, sit down, and start to feel a slight itch in your…

Diabetes

Diabetes

by Margaret Dedloff Nearly 38 million people in the United States have diabetes, making it one of the most common…

Innate Immunity – The Unsung Heroes

Innate Immunity – The Unsung Heroes

By Nathaniel Vorhees The human immune system is a fascinating and multifaceted system that is critical to our health and…

The Apocalypse Inside: The Hallmarks of Cancer and Zombies

The Apocalypse Inside: The Hallmarks of Cancer and Zombies

by Sophie Mendell A groan. A shuffle. A hunger for brains. From young adult novels, to gory games, to prestige…

CRISPR’s First Approval

CRISPR’s First Approval

by Chelsea Smith Does the idea of scientists being able to alter your DNA sound like something from a sci-fi…

The Original Clinical Trial

The Original Clinical Trial

by Macy Osborne-Frazier Oh no, it looks like you’ve caught the flu this season! You should go to your doctor…

HeLa Cells: The Woman Who Changed Science Forever, But Never Knew

HeLa Cells: The Woman Who Changed Science Forever, But Never Knew

by Chelsea Smith Who is HeLa?  Deborah Lacks was shocked when she found out that there were thousands, or more…

Egg-cellent Colors

Egg-cellent Colors

By Siena Mantooth When I was a child, my mom purchased eggs for us to dye around the Easter holiday.…

Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics

by  Raeanne Geffert Your genes (which are found in your DNA) hold information about yourself. Genes are passed down from…

Superfoods or Super-marketing?

Superfoods or Super-marketing?

by Nicole Gadda Weight loss, cancer cures, acne remedies, sickness antidotes, toxin cleanses – “superfoods” are touted as miracle products…

The Lymphatic System

The Lymphatic System

by Kerstin Baran After a long day of sitting in class, you finally get home and take off your shoes.…

Even Fungi Get Sick

Even Fungi Get Sick

by Autumn Coleman We all know that viruses infect people. We’ve seen them infect pets, other animals, and maybe even…

Did a Fungus Cause the Salem Witch Trials?

Did a Fungus Cause the Salem Witch Trials?

by Mariah Jones October is known for fun treats and silly tricks. It’s a time to indulge in your favorite…

Not Just Fun and Games: The Importance of Peekaboo

Not Just Fun and Games: The Importance of Peekaboo

by Anna Goddard “Peekaboo! I see you!” When was the last time you played Peekaboo with a baby? Did the…

It’s Not Easy Being Wheezy    

It’s Not Easy Being Wheezy    

by Garima Singh Most of us know someone with asthma who brings their inhaler with them everywhere they go, and…

The Human Microbiome: We Are Not Alone

The Human Microbiome: We Are Not Alone

by Emily Green  What does it mean to be an individual? Perhaps you enjoy spending your time doing a particular…

The Defenses Have Been Breached: The Foreign Body Reaction 

The Defenses Have Been Breached: The Foreign Body Reaction 

by Siena Mantooth I lived outside as a child, and naturally, I got fairly dirty. My hands and feet would…

Fighting Back Against Cancer With Chemotherapy

Fighting Back Against Cancer With Chemotherapy

by Chelsea Smith  Losing your hair while fighting cancer Nearly everyone has had an experience with cancer, as almost 40%…

The 1918 Influenza Pandemic

The 1918 Influenza Pandemic

by Margaret Dedloff Each year, between 10 and 40 million people in the United States get sick with influenza, or…

Go with your Gut!

Go with your Gut!

by Jillian Battista Everyday, we make decisions. Some take time to decide, such as what to order at a restaurant.…

MHC: the Molecular Handshake for Bodily Defense

MHC: the Molecular Handshake for Bodily Defense

by Sophie Mendell Imagine you’ve just moved to a new high school with about 500 students. On your first day,…

How Serotonin Connects the Entire Body

How Serotonin Connects the Entire Body

by Emma Bouck It can be very difficult to be in a good mood when you have a stomachache. Having…

The Hygiene Hypothesis: Have we become too clean? 

The Hygiene Hypothesis: Have we become too clean? 

By Megan (Frederick) Amason Versión en Español Allergy and autoimmunity on the rise In recent years, doctors have noticed an…

Alkaline diet, yay or nay? 

Alkaline diet, yay or nay? 

by Mariah Jones Image 1: A visualization of common food items on the pH scale.  In a world of having…

The Legacy of the Radium Girls

The Legacy of the Radium Girls

by Margaret Dedloff(En Español) Radium is a radioactive metal that can be found naturally in the environment. Radium was discovered…

Why do we fidget?

Why do we fidget?

by Nila Pazhayam Do you often find yourself listening to the same song over and over again, doodling while on…

The Left Brain + The Right Brain

The Left Brain + The Right Brain

by Jillian Battista Versión en Español Figure 1: Image demonstrating how the left side of the brain may be more…

Muscle Madness: the Science Behind Muscle Fatigue and Soreness

Muscle Madness: the Science Behind Muscle Fatigue and Soreness

by Bree Iskandar Figure 1. Why do our muscles tire out as we exercise, and what causes muscle soreness after?…

Music Therapy

Music Therapy

by Dalia Fleifel Versión en Español Music as a language of feeling The Super Bowl 2022 Halftime Show instantly sent…

Oncogenes: Driving life in fast forward mode

Oncogenes: Driving life in fast forward mode

by Deepika Jayaprakash One major cause of human cancer development is the activation of certain genes known as proto-oncogenes. Proto-oncogenes…

Alexander Fleming: The Father of Antibiotics

Alexander Fleming: The Father of Antibiotics

by Nicole Gadda Many of us have taken antibiotics for common bacterial infections like strep throat or pneumonia, but have…

The Science Behind Food Poisoning

The Science Behind Food Poisoning

by Megan Frederick Foodborne illness, more commonly referred to as food poisoning, is both dangerous and uncomfortable. Mild cases of…

Developing the mRNA Vaccine

Developing the mRNA Vaccine

by Devina Thiono Versión en Español Figure 1. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that helps the virus to enter cells.Image…

Sickle Cell Anemia: How A Spelling Error Can Cause Disease

Sickle Cell Anemia: How A Spelling Error Can Cause Disease

by Yasemin Cole When it comes to life, spelling is very important. In our day to day life, we take…

How many senses do we really have?

How many senses do we really have?

by Nicole Gadda Sorry, are you hungry yet? Image by Robin Stickel via Pexels. When’s the last time you ate…

Vitamins don’t just hang out in Brussels sprouts

Vitamins don’t just hang out in Brussels sprouts

by Anastacia Wienecke Trouble seeing at night? Ancient Egyptians recommend a heaping spoonful of liver. Notice swelling, weakness, and numbness…

Is health contagious?

Is health contagious?

By Alec Chaves In the last few years, a lot of us have gained an appreciation and awareness for how…