More in this Issue
Time for a Change? Article by Heather Baldwin (1)
Evolution is a genetic process that shapes the behavior and appearance of species in a beneficial way as a result of long-term exposure to environmental stresses. Normally, the evolutionary process is very slow; the transformation of simple single-celled organisms into today’s complex species, including the human race, took thousands of years. Ironically, humans themselves have [...]
Kindergarten Has It Right Article by Emma Burns (0)
The perfect nap: the holy grail of all college students. But what does “taking a nap” really mean? Is it the ten minutes of shut eye you caught in lecture, or is it the two hour accidental nap you took in the library? Although everyone needs a little snooze every now and then, how many [...]
Nanoviricides: A New Hero in Antiviral Science Article by Fatema-Zahra El Rhermoul (1)
Vaccines have recently made headlines due to the viral web video of Desiree Jennings, who, after receiving a flu vaccine, exhibited severe symptoms of severe dystonia, a neurological disorder characterized by twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. Though the authenticity of Jennings’ reaction has been disputed, it should nevertheless raise concerns regarding the nature [...]
Earworms: The Song Stuck in Your Head Article by Emma Burns (0)
A new parasite has embedded itself within society, taking over our minds, actions, and conversations. Chances are, if you’ve recently listened to the radio or your iPod, you’ve already been infected with what researchers have termed “the earworm.” This new parasite is closely related to diseases known as “melodymania” or “repetunitis,” sufferers of which are [...]
Sounds Like Blue? Article by Daniel Roden (0)
Imagine listening to a Mozart concerto and seeing it pass before your eyes in a stream of colors and shapes; imagine reading Proust when each letter has a particular color, each word like a little impressionist painting; imagine sitting in class, trying to pay attention to a lecture but distracted by little black circles that [...]
California Grunions Article by Jenn Kole (0)
The California grunion, Leuresthes tenuis, may have the most curious reproductive strategy of any fish. The California grunion stands apart from its relatives because it mates completely out of water, leaving the fertilized eggs buried in the sand to incubate until the next semilunar tide.1 To understand the evolution of this unique behavior, one must [...]
The Economics of Biofuels Article by Zhuoyi Fan (0)
The current Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, was giving a speech at the World Affairs Council in late 2007. Amongst the crowd were 43 Nobel Laureates, who are working in Chu’s Lab on bioenergy, renewable and global warming. As they listened intently, Professor Chu told the crowd, “We are here because the energy and climate [...]
