Medicine

For that which is relating or is of the topic of Medicine

Rethinking ‘Junk’ DNA: The Vital Role DNA Repeats Play in Cancer and Aging

Biology, Medicine / By

Figure: The image above, created by the National Institutes of Health, helps demonstrate how important a role junk DNA can play. The picture displays a stem cell culture, within which green dots represent viral envelope proteins resulting from the transcription and subsequent translation of junk DNA. When these proteins interact with certain immune cell proteins, …

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Why Your Genes Might Impact Your COVID-19 Experience

Biology, Medicine / By

Figure: An illustration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. When it comes to SARS-CoV-2 infections, a new study suggests that genetics may play a role in both susceptibility and severity. (Source: Wikimedia Commons, Author: We Are Covert Ltd) In the past, genome-wide association studies have found correlations between specific forms of certain genes and individual susceptibility to …

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Addison’s Disease: Why Does it Take an Adrenal Crisis for a Correct Diagnosis?

Biology, Medicine / By

Figure: Blood samples ready to be tested. Addison’s disease is diagnosed by analysis of ACTH levels via a blood test. (Source: Unsplash, Testalize.me) In 1855 Thomas Addison described symptoms for an illness now known as Addison’s disease, a chronic condition caused by damage to the adrenal glands (Yamamoto, 2018). Addison’s is an incredibly rare disease affecting …

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Considering the Microbiota-Gut-Brain-Axis in Cancer Research

Biology, Chemistry, Medicine / By

Lead Author: Jillian Troth1 Co-Authors (alphabetical order): Roxanna Attar2, Julia Gainski3, Vincent Lai4, Grace Lee5, Callie Moody1, Megan Nelson6 1Dartmouth College, 2University of Texas at Austin, 3University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 4Rice University, 5Williams College, 6Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University Cover Image: A fluorescently-stained image of a three-dimensional culture of human breast cancer cells. …

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Single Cell RNA Sequencing Enhances Understanding of Tumor Genetic Diversity

Biology, Medicine / By

Figure 1: Researchers have shown that tumor cells are a mixture of cancer cells and normal cells. Distinguishing malignant cells and nonmalignant cells in the tumor microenvironment is critical for understanding tumor cell gene expression (Source: Flickr, NIH Image Gallery). Single Cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq), a transcriptomic analysis tool, has become important in cancer research …

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Human Endogenous Retroviruses Might Unlock a New Field of Neurodegenerative Disease Research

Biology, Medicine, Neuroscience / By

Figure 1: Researchers have found viral genetic materials within the human genome which are the result of retroviruses that infected our ancestors millions of years ago. Scientists refer to these viruses as human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). HERVs have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). (Source: Public Domain Pictures, Виталий Смолыгин) Viral …

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Mucins: The Medical Target of the Future

Biology, Medicine / By

Figure: Diagram of Mucin Structure. Mucins are glycosylated membrane proteins with complex o-glycans on their extracellular TR region, which provide identifying information for interactions with microbes (Source: Jcastr07, Wikimedia Commons). While the microbiome has been receiving increasing attention as a key physiological player, the mucinome, or mucus composition in the body, may be the gateway …

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The Positives of Plushies: Stuffed Animals Have Benefits for Children and Adults

Medicine, Neuroscience / By

Figure: A young girl sleeps with a teddy bear in her arms after receiving medical treatment at Gheskio Field Hospital (Joshua Lee Kelsey, Wikimedia Commons). For many children, stuffed animals are loyal and comforting companions. A fluffy friend can make a trip to the doctor or sleeping in the dark seem a little less daunting. …

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An Overview of Oncology Treatments

An Overview of Oncology Treatments

Biology, Chemistry, Medicine / By

Lead Authors: Dina Rabadi1, Sarah Matatov2 Co-Authors: Carolina Guerrero1, Nina Klee1,Whitney Nicanor Mabwi3, Bamlak Messay1, Yu Quan Ng4, Melanie Prakash1, Andrew Sasser1, Jillian Troth1 Dartmouth College1, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign2, Moi University3, Williams College4 Cover Figure: A clipboard surrounded by various drugs and delivery methods to treat cancer, showing the vast options and challenges …

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UV-Vis Spectroscopy: A Step in the Light Direction

Biology, Chemistry, Medicine, Physics / By

Executive Board Advisor: Nishi Jain Co-Authors: Daniela Galvez-Cepeda, Katherine Faulkner, Sonia Fung, Alexandra McOsker, Sarah Matatov, Arooba Ahmed, Lina Lew, Maria Clara Trajano, Sreya Roy, Carolina Guerrero, Anahita Kodali, Maeen Arslan, Aadhishre Kasat Figure 1: UV Spectroscopy is a powerful tool that’s emerging in a wide array of academic labs to characterize molecules, chemical compounds, …

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