By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University
Recently scientists¹ found a potential alternative for managing pain with anthrax². But bacteria, it turns out, have medical applications beyond just pain management. Not only do some bacteria possess natural tumor-targeting and tumor-killing abilities, but bacteria can be engineered to be used in a number of different therapeutic applications.
Imagine using bacteria as drug delivery vehicles to kill tumor cells. That’s right, researchers have developed a “cloaking” system³ that allows bacteria to temporarily avoid detection by our immune system. This system allows bacteria to effectively deliver drugs directly to tumors and kill tumor cells in mice. Now that’s putting bacteria to work!
Continue reading “Masters of Disguise: Fighting Cancer With Bacteria”
By Summer Seligmann, C2ST Intern, Loyola University
Last month, the all too familiar scenes of uprooted trees, flipped cars, and wrecked homes played out in the southern states. Over 10 tornadoes touched down in Texas in a single day, damaging thousands of homes before the storm headed to Louisiana and Mississippi.
On average, 1,200 tornadoes hit the United States each year. Even though tornadoes are somewhat frequent events, meteorologists have a hard time predicting them.
Continue reading “Why Are Tornadoes So Unpredictable?”
By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University
Genetic engineering can be used to produce genetically modified organisms (GMOs) like weather-resistant crops, modified yeast or bacteria that produce insulin¹, and even animal organs suitable for human transplantation². GMO crops offer several advantages such as improved yields, enhanced nutritional value, and resistance to drought, frost, or pesky insects. However, making genetically modified food can be time-consuming and costly. Recent technology may be the solution to circumventing these issues.
Continue reading “GMOs without the GM!”
By Summer Seligmann, C2ST Intern, Loyola University
Just outside of Chicago in Wilmington, Illinois, there’s a place called Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie where you can see native wildflowers, grassland birds, and bison (yes, bison). Midewin is the largest protected grassland reserve in the greater Chicago region, and the first ever designated national tallgrass prairie in the United States.. Midewin and other preserves like these are crucial in protecting our wildlife, biodiversity, and to preserve natural spaces for generations to come.
Continue reading “The Midewin in the Midwest”
By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University
Do you get enough sleep? Chances are the answer is no.
Over one-third¹ of American adults aren’t getting enough shut-eye. Many of us juggle busy schedules, family and friends, and other responsibilities that can stress us out and keep us from getting enough rest.
In 1998, The National Sleep Foundation created a week-long event, called Sleep Awareness Week, to promote better sleep for our overall health and well-being. It begins at the start of daylight saving time (this year on March 13th), a time when many of us lose an hour of sleep as we “spring forward”. Although daylight savings is not ubiquitously observed worldwide, this event is a great reminder for us to get well-deserved rest.
Continue reading “Sleep Is For The Week (Sleep Awareness Week)”
