By Veronica Villanueva, C2ST Intern, Rush University

Valentine’s Day came and went just a few weeks ago. While some people may have found their soulmates, others are still searching for their sweetheart. There are a plethora of ways to find that perfect someone to spend your life with, from dating apps to blind dates to meeting someone out in the world. Dating can be overwhelming. Perhaps love is a game of chance, or maybe we just have to look at romance scientifically.

Continue reading “In Love, Words Speak Louder Than Actions…At Least At First”

By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University

When we get hurt, our bodies are capable of closing cuts and mending broken bones. We can even use stem cells to regrow parts of our liver¹. But this is basically the extent of our regeneration capabilities. Although our bodies naturally form scar tissue at major injury sites to protect them from blood loss and infection, we generally can’t recover tissue loss or reverse it (in the case of limb loss, as an example). It may be the case that we cannot regrow lost arms or legs due to the complexity of these limbs. 

Continue reading “Getting A Leg Up On Regenerative Medicine With BioDomes”

By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University

Scientists are ringing in the new year with transplanted pig organs. 

Each day, roughly 20 people die¹ waiting for an organ transplant. Unfortunately, the demand for life-saving organs far exceeds the supply and results in years-long waits. Scientists are trying to solve the human organ supply crisis using organs from non-human animal sources like pigs (called xenotransplantation, xeno in Greek means “foreign”).

Continue reading “A Change of Heart: How Genetically Modified Pig Organs Are Saving Lives”

By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University

Imagine you are cooking and you accidentally touch a hot pot on the stove. Ouch! It happens in an instant. You pull your hand away as a reflex and then you feel the pain. Our sensation of pain comes from these receptors called “nociceptors”¹  (“no-see-septors”) that respond to stimuli such as temperature (e.g., hot or cold), mechanical pressure (e.g., stretch/strain), and chemicals (e.g., toxins/poisons). The heat from the pot is the stimulus that activates your nociceptors. 

Continue reading “Managing Pain With…Anthrax?!”

By Summer Seligmann, C2ST Intern, Loyola University

Broadband transmits large amounts of data very quickly and makes things like remote learning, telemedicine, and other important online services possible. However, broadband access is not equal, and many communities suffer from not having high-speed internet access. Over the last decade, Roberto Gallardo, PhD., has researched how the availability of broadband can impact economic and community growth. 

Gallardo is the Director of Purdue’s Center for Regional Development (PCRD). At PCRD, Gallardo works with public, private, and non-profit organizations to provide planning and technical assistance and promote regional growth. Additionally, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs recently announced that Gallardo will be the acting director for the Next Level Connections Broadband Programs. In this role, Gallardo will be assisting in the implementation of broadband programs across the state of Indiana. 

Continue reading “The Importance of Broadband: A Discussion with Roberto Gallardo, Ph.D.”

By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University

People look up for inspiration. Likewise, German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler looked to the heavens and unlocked the secrets to planetary motion. On December 27th, we celebrate Kepler’s birthday and his contributions to astronomy.

Continue reading “Reaching Beyond Our Stars: Kepler’s Exoplanets”