By Stephanie Sorich, C2ST Correspondent

Nervous laughter, or laughing when we feel uncomfortable, is likely not a behavior you think of when you think of successful socialization. It often slips out without us realizing it, a half-hearted “heh” disguised as social agreeability that we later shake our heads at on the drive home. So why do we do it?

Dr. Esther Yoon— or just Esther, as she prefers— is a licensed clinical psychologist at Northwestern Medicine who specializes in behavioral medicine. When asked about nervous laughter, she was quick to emphasize just how normal it actually is.

Continue reading “Science of Everything: Nervous Laughter”

By Alexian Heynez, C2ST Intern, Waubonsee Community College

When gene editing comes up, most people probably think about Marvel super soldiers like Captain America or the way that Jurassic Park brought back dinosaurs. Although these are some theoretical applications of gene editing and quite outlandish compared to what gene editing actually can do, they reflect the general public’s perception of this technology as a powerful paradigm-shifting one. The ability to artificially modify the DNA of living beings has massive implications, which is why scientists are having many intense conversations about when, where, and if we should use it. Join me in an exploration of the current state of gene editing technology and the ethical conversation surrounding its use.

Continue reading “CRISPR: Genetic Scissors, Scientists are Editing Genes?”

By Ezewani Nkwo, C2ST Intern, Northern Illinois University

Football culture at elite levels, such as the NFL and major college programs, heavily depends on protein. It is common in team nutrition programs, post-workout meals, and protein smoothies in the locker room. However, it’s not as straightforward as “more is better” when it comes to performance. All levels of athletes should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of protein.

Continue reading “Pros and Cons of Protein in American Football”