By Ariane Tsai, C2ST Intern, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Institute for Genomic Biology

Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. We see these buzzwords when discussing the current advances in modern medicine. But where did it all begin? Stem cell research stretches back to the mid-20th century when researchers observed the regenerative capabilities of organs. This led to the hypothesis that cells may be able to become different cell types. For the next 50 years, scientists continued to make breakthroughs. They discovered that there are cells capable of becoming other cells (i.e., differentiate). Thus, they named the cells with the ability to differentiate and self-renew “stem cells.”

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By Vivienne Couris, C2ST Intern, DePaul University

Spring has officially sprung! The sun is sticking around for longer, the trees are blooming, and the birds are singing all morning long. As you begin to venture outside to enjoy the warmth, you may stumble across a rather unassuming little insect. She’s easygoing and loves flowers, and she’s famous for her one-of-a-kind recipe. If you guessed honeybee, you’re correct! In this blog, we’ll discuss the impressive biology of the honeybee, and how they have become an integral part of human agriculture.

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By Vivienne Couris, C2ST Intern, DePaul University

AI chatbots have taken the world by storm. ChatGPT, Bard, and Copilot are just a few examples of chatbots that are already changing how we work and learn. However, despite their sharp increase in popularity, software like this has been around for quite some time. The natural language processing program ELIZA, which finished development in 1966, is classified as the first AI software. ELIZA could analyze simple conversational inputs and output human-like responses. Computer scientists and engineers have come a long way since then, creating the impressive language models we have access to now. In this blog, we’ll discover the fascinating technology that powers modern AI chatbots.

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By Danielle Rodriguez, C2ST Intern, Waubonsee Community College

In the media, we hear stories of football or hockey players who are constantly colliding with one another. The concern around the safety of these two sports has sparked a conversation about the significant head injuries that can be sustained while playing. But what if I told you there was a third sport that accounts for nearly 25% of all reported concussions? Soccer, one of the most popular sports in the world, maybe the most dangerous. How do these concussions occur, and why is it not talked about more?

What exactly is a concussion? A concussion is not just a bump to the head. It is a brain injury in which the brain moves back and forth between the inner walls of the skull. Concussions cause a wide variety of symptoms. Common physical symptoms of concussion include headache, ringing in the ears, and vomiting. Lesser known symptoms include trouble sleeping, increased irritability, issues with concentration and memory, and sensitivity to light and sound. These symptoms can last days, weeks, or even months. In severe cases, a concussion can lead to bleeding in the brain which can result in death. Concussions are an invisible injury that is often downplayed, but they can have a tremendous impact on the future athletic careers of affected players.

By Bianca Longlisci, C2ST Intern, Loyola University

By Bianca Loglisci, C2ST Intern, Loyola University

Even though the ocean makes up 70% of our planet’s surface, most of it remains unexplored. With depths of up to 12,000 feet and a total surface area of 139 million square miles, the global ocean is truly enormous and may hold mysteries beyond human comprehension. I have always been fascinated by the mysteries of the ocean, but after a recent visit to the Field Museum’s new Unseen Oceans exhibit, I started to wonder what methods scientists are using to uncover these mysteries. Thanks to satellite imaging, we have a rough idea of what the ocean floor looks like, however, specific objects like shipwrecks and certain geographic formations are unable to be detected in this way. Scientists have precisely mapped the ocean floor with a scientific technique that utilizes sonar technology, which can help to create a much clearer picture of what lies beneath the surface.