Biology

By Theodore Phan '26 What is gene editing? How is it done? What are its benefits and disadvantages? These are the questions scientists have been asking since the 1970s when they first began editing the genes of living beings. In the past decade, CRISPR technology has revolutionized the field of gene editing. Discovered in 2012, CRISPR is a gene-editing tool that uses a Cas-9 enzyme to make precise edits to the DNA in any living cell. Its discovery was a game-changer in the field of genetics because it allowed scientists to manipulate genes with incredible accuracy. Since its discovery, CRISPR has been used to tackle genetic disorders, fight diseases, and even attempt to control populations of disease-carrying insects. One of the most notable applications has been to combat the spread...

By Dolly Nguyen '27 All animals communicate. But each does it in their unique way. While the natural world often resonates with a cacophony of sounds that may appear random and chaotic, these vocalizations play crucial roles in animal interactions. By exploring how animals communicate with each other through various sounds, we can better understand how they forge social connections, establish territories, and interact with their environment. Recent studies reveal close relationships between animal vocalizations and the expressive qualities of human music, hinting that the natural world's soundscape is much more than background noise. For instance, sound sparrows (Melospiza melodia) possess a rich repertoire and can modify melodies to signal fitness to potential mates and defend terri...

By Nina Capaldi '27 Light pollution is the human-made change to outdoor light levels. Factories, streetlights, billboards, houses, parking lots, and satellites all contribute to light pollution. Light pollution is a serious concern as the brightened sky is detrimental to all life. Two-thirds of America and over a half of Europeans can no longer view the Milky Way with their naked eyes, and 63% of the world population and 99% of the E.U. and U.S. live under a night sky that is brighter than the threshold for light-pollution. According to the International Astronomical Union, the threshold for light pollution is if the artificial brightness of the sky is greater than 10% of the brightness of the natural sky. Light pollution has gone unchecked for years, and has increased by 10% every year...

By Anaya Qamar Is global warming frying our brains? Recently, experts search for the answer to this new question, noting shifts in how the human brain reacts to environmental change. Climate change is notorious for its increasing impact on our environment and ever changing surroundings. While it significantly changes our current world within natural occurring conditions, it affects our brain by consistently altering the stimuli that we face. Our brain almost entirely revolves around external impact and stimuli to formulate an educated response with the rest of the human body. One key source of the brain's response lies in the literal atmosphere that surrounds your body- temperature and the air we breathe.  In order to function, the human brain needs a stable environment, to balance t...

By Wendi Zheng What is Alzheimer’s Disease, and How Might Exercise Help? Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the common cause of dementia, affects tens of millions of people worldwide and is expected to triple by 2050. AD is not only memory loss; the devastating disease chips away at the patient, causing behavior changes, impairing communication, and eventually taking away one’s ability to perform simple tasks, until they near total dependency on a caretaker’s assistance. Although the main risk factor for AD is old age, environmental factors such as climate change and air pollution also increase the likelihood of developing the disease, which may prove to be increasingly problematic in the future. Scientists have long sought to understand this disease and find effective treatments or, better y...

By Ozochi Onunaku HIV is one of the most prevalent public health threats in the United States. More than 1.2 million people are currently living with the virus, and more than 35,000 new infections are reported each year. For decades, scientists from around the world have worked to find a cure with minimal success. However, a patient in Düsseldorf, Germany, has recently been cured of HIV with a stem cell transplant, making them the fifth person to be cured of HIV. The stem cell donor carried the HIV resistance genetic mutation known as CCRS-Δ32, which less than one percent of the population carries. This recent breakthrough in stem cell research has given medical professionals some level of hope in tackling the virus, but it simultaneously raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of t...

By Mia Abou-Ezzi In the complex web of human emotions, empathy stands as a powerful incentive that provides a connection between the gap of individuals, fostering understanding, compassion, and connection. It is an inherent ability that allows us to step into other’s perspectives, to comprehend their experiences, and to share their emotions. While empathy has long been regarded as a critical aspect of human nature, its neurobiological basis has fascinated researchers. The study of the neurobiology of empathy not only sheds light on human’s role in emotional resonance, but also touches on fields as diverse as psychology, sociology, and medicine. This essay embarks on empathy, exploring its neural basis and the potential it holds for shaping human relationships, societies, and well-being....