Blog Post

How You Can Help Fight Climate Change in the Chicago Area

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By Zuri McClelland, C2ST Aux-Board Member

The Earth’s climate is changing more rapidly than we could have ever expected. To keep up with the production of food and goods, we have produced a massive amount of gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), that fill our atmosphere. These gases capture a significant amount of the radiation reflected from the Earth’s surface trapping heat energy, ultimately warming up the planet. This is called the greenhouse effect. Over the course of decades, scientists have seen an increase in global temperature due to this phenomenon. As a result, the polar ice caps have melted, sea levels have risen and weather patterns have changed. The effect on humankind and the animal kingdom is already underway but we’ll continue to see changes that may affect all living matter on Earth.  Continue reading “How You Can Help Fight Climate Change in the Chicago Area”

Blog Post

Changing The Shape Of The “Molecular Key” That COVID-19 Uses to Enter Human Cells

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By Robert Kriss, C2ST Editor

Scientists are attacking the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19, from two different angles. One approach is to develop a vaccine to prevent infection. The other approach is to find a cure for people already infected. 

Continue reading “Changing The Shape Of The “Molecular Key” That COVID-19 Uses to Enter Human Cells”

Video

Science From the Frontlines: Sanitizer & Spirits

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Join C2ST and KOVAL for a virtual tour and tasting while Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart guides us through the production of hand sanitizer!

KOVAL Distillery is known for creating a line of organic & kosher whiskey, gin, and specialty spirits using unique grains, a signature “heart cut” technique, and only the absolute best quality ingredients. As one of the largest independent and woman-owned craft distilleries in the US, KOVAL is frequently awarded internationally for its bright flavors and eye for design.

As of March 2020, KOVAL has shifted its operations to help provide alcohol-based sanitizer to those on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19. To date, they have donated over 3,000 gallons of sanitizer to Chicagoland first responders and community organizations. Through a virtual tour, get an inside look into how a distillery transitions to produce hand sanitizer and sip along during an optional virtual tasting as Dr. Hart answers questions live.

More info on purchasing sanitizer and contributing to their donation efforts can be found here: https://www.koval-distillery.com/newsite/sanitizer-info

Video

Science From the Front-lines Gender Disparity in COVID 19 Cases

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Join C2ST for our 5th Science from the Front-lines program and learn how the severity and manifestation of COVID-19 symptoms are impacted by gender!

Gender differences in COVID-19 disease severity have been described in multiple countries, with reports indicating that men often experience more severe disease and greater mortality. Dr. Kovats will summarize available information about the observed gender differences in COVID-19 severity and outline possible social and biological explanations for this gender disparity. One hypothesis is that men and women differ in aspects of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. After a brief primer on the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, Dr. Kovats will review the evidence for sex differences in immune function in humans and animal models and describe how androgens and estrogens modulate immunity. She will explain how COVID-19 patient blood samples might be used to understand the gender differences in immune responses at the molecular and cellular level.

Video

Science from the Front-lines Racial Disparity in COVID 19 Cases

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Join C2ST and our panel of local experts for a panel discussion on health inequalities and how they are contributing to COVID-19 rates. Across the United States, tracking COVID-19 has indicated disproportionate rates affecting African American and Black communities. For Chicago, this means taking a closer look at the experiences of Southside and Westside communities. While research is in the initial stages, examining existing inequalities and what they mean for a community’s health provides insight into this ongoing issue.