*Before we begin, be sure to read my post on the naturalistic fallacy. Science cannot condemn or justify any behavior — it can only identify the behavior and explain why it exists. In this post I will attempt to explain greed as I understand it, without mixing in any of my own ideology or the ideology of anyone else.
The BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) is a major research program recently announced by the National Institute of Health. Why is it important? What neurological problems does it hope to solve? Through a series of short talks and Q&A, three experts will give you their take and discuss their pioneering work in tackling some of the biggest mysteries of the brain.
C2ST Artist in Residence Aaron Freeman talks with comics artist, pediatrician and allergist Dr. Alex Thomas about the importance of metaphor to his work as an asthma specialist and medical science communicator. The interview is a intro to the topic of graphic medicine leading up to Comic Nurse MK Czerwiec’s workshop, “A Picture is Worth 1000 Words – Teaching Science with Comics”. The workshop will be hosted on Tuesday 12 November at Northwestern University’s Hughes Auditorium 303 East Superior St. in Chicago.
Earlier this month, Dr. Kristina Martinez gave a wonderful talk as part of our C2ST Speakeasy series on the bacteria that live in our gut and how they might affect us. I caught up with her afterwards for some follow-up questions.
You just received news that your best friend has a “chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences” (1). Would it surprise you that this is just a lengthy definition for addiction?
Diet, Gut Bacteria, and Metabolic Disease: Strategies to Promote Healthy Microbial Communities at Geek Bar Beta Chicago’s SCIENCE! Tuesday
The human body is inhabited with trillions of microorganisms, many of which live in the gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms in the gut are referred to as the gut microbiota and recent research findings indicate that they play a major role in the development of obesity and cardiovascular disease. For example, consumption of “westernized” diets that are typically high in fat is believed to cause microbial dysbiosis, or a disruption of healthy microorganisms in the gut and has been associated with obesity.