By Madeeha Mohiuddin, C2ST Intern, DePaul University
The new Thermo Fisher Scientific AerosolSense air sampler has some promising potential for capturing pathogen particles and ultimately preventing and reducing the spread of COVID-19. Although there are several similar air samplers already on the market, this one in particular has been found to yield more promising outcomes.
By Diana Abbasi, C2ST Intern, Rush University
Plastic pollution has become one of the most overwhelming environmental issues of our time. The effects of this type of pollution are wide-ranging, impacting wildlife, climate, and human health. No one wants to see images of sea turtles trapped in fishing nets or read about hazardous plastic byproducts contaminating our land and animals dying from starvation because their stomachs are filled with indigestible plastic, but that’s the current reality we live in.
Continue reading “Can Biorecycling Put An End To The Plastic Crisis?”
What the heck is Bioinformatics, anyway? A field of study that combines biology, statistics and computer science, bioinformatics helps us make sense of biological data like DNA and explain how the magic we call life plays out in our tiny cells. Dr. Saurabh Sinha leads a bioinformatics lab and is here to help illuminate its vast potential. Join us to learn more about how Dr. Sinha sees his field advancing and changing the way we think about our DNA. Continue reading “Bioinformatics: Understanding Our Genes”
By Diana Abbasi, C2ST Intern, Rush University
Sauteur d’Alfort is French for Alfort’s jumpers but interestingly, the breed of rabbits that carry the name don’t jump at all. Most rabbits push off the ground with both their back legs in order to move quickly, however, these unique rabbits send their back legs sky high and walk on their front paws. Now, researchers have identified the specific gene mutation that leads to this atypical limb movement in these rabbits.
Continue reading “Gene Defect Turns Rabbit Hops into Acrobatic Handstands”
By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University
Biodegradables won’t solve our plastic crisis. Despite our efforts to recycle, the overall amount of plastic that is recycled is less than 9% in the U.S.¹. Many people do not recycle for several reasons, such as a lack of knowledge for what is recyclable and where to sort it, or they lack access to appropriate and convenient recycling facilities. To combat this issue, today’s biodegradable plastics are advertised as a solution to the world’s increasing plastic pollution problem. However, these materials come with their own challenges.
Continue reading “Now You See It, Now You Don’t: Making Biodegradable Plastics Disappear”
Join C2ST and Dr. Silvia Alvarez Clare for our monthly Science and Sandwiches Program! On the first Friday of every month, we sit down with an expert during the lunch hour to chat about life, science, careers, a day on the job, and whatever else you’re interested in learning about them–within reason, anyways.
Continue reading “Science and Sandwiches featuring Silvia Alvarez Clare, PhD”
