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 …
Why Your Genes Might Impact Your COVID-19 Experience Read More »
Grace Lee Staff Writer, Williams College Envelope Writer Bio I am part of the Williams College Class of 2024. I plan to major in neuroscience and chemistry. Through my experiences as a patient, as well as an intern at a medical research lab, I’ve developed an interest in clinical research and would love to work …
Figure: Dopamine is the so-called “feel-good” neurotransmitter, involved in cognitive processing including learning and behavioral planning (Foo et al., 2021). (Source: Jynto, Wikimedia Commons). Traditionally, neural signaling has been studied in the context of “deterministic” signals, or external stimuli (Aguilera, 2021). However, a recent study by University of California San Diego researchers demonstrated that impulses …
Learned Control of Spontaneous Dopamine Impulses in Mice Read More »
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 …
Addison’s Disease: Why Does it Take an Adrenal Crisis for a Correct Diagnosis? Read More »
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. …
Considering the Microbiota-Gut-Brain-Axis in Cancer Research Read More »
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 …
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 …
Figure: A colorful display of a stimulated brain surrounded by images representing artificial intelligence. In recent years, the combination of neuroscience and machine learning techniques has given rise to the field of computational neuroscience (Source: Pixabay, Geralt). The field of computational neuroscience focuses on the use of mathematical models to understand the physiology and cognitive …
First Author: Jillian Troth1 Co-Authors [Alphabetical Order]: Roxanna Attar2, Caroline Conway1, Julia Gainski3, Allison Kifer4, Vincent Lai5, Grace Lee6, Callie Moody1, Melanie Prakash1, Julia Schwab7 1Dartmouth, 2University of Texas at Austin, 3University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 4University of California San Diego, 5Rice University, 6Williams College, 7Danube Private University, Austria Figure 1: Depression is a serious …
The Gut May Be The Door to Effective Depression Treatment Read More »
Vincent Lai Staff Writer, Rice University Linkedin Envelope Facebook Twitter Writer Bio Vincent is a graduate student at Rice University in Houston, Texas, pursuing a Ph.D. in Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine and Industrial & Organizational Psychology. He previously graduated from Rice as a member of the Class of 2021, earning his Bachelor of Arts …