This is the repository for all things C2ST. You can learn with videos of our past events, read articles concerning cutting-edge research and development in Chicago and elsewhere that will change our lives, check out C2ST in the news, and more! Use the Filter Media options below to browse C2ST’s content and discover something new!
We graciously thank The Brinson Foundation for their generous sponsorship of the C2ST Science Communication Internship in 2021-2022. As a result, an incredibly talented group of diverse STEM undergraduate and graduate scholars at area colleges and universities researched and developed 76 blogs.* Enjoy-If you like, please share!
*As of 3.29.24
By Summer Seligmann, C2ST Intern, Loyola University
If you feel like you waste a lot of food, you’re not alone. In the United States, 30-40% of the food supply goes to waste. We can reduce our waste by consuming less, but some food inevitably goes bad before we can use it. If you want to divert some of that food from the landfill and give your garden some extra love, composting is the way to go.
By Veronica Villanueva, C2ST Intern, Rush University
There is an old fable1–told in more than one country–about the origin of chess. A wise man shows his king a game he developed about the king’s empire. The game depicted the king, his officers, and his foot soldiers battling an enemy army. The king loved the game and wanted to repay the wise man with gold and precious jewels.
Continue reading “In The Game of Chess Humanity Has Finally Met Its Match”
By Veronica Villanueva, C2ST Intern, Rush University
When we develop new technologies, we rely on our knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology, and math to produce the best outcomes. Sometimes, it’s easier to take ideas from the world around us instead of having to “reinvent the wheel.” Biomimicry is when we model materials, structures, or systems based on biological processes and entities.
One of the best known examples of biomimicry is velcro(1). In 1941 George de Mestral noticed that burrs were sticking to him and his dog as they walked. When he looked at the burrs under a microscope, he saw they were made of hundreds of tiny hook shapes. These tiny hooks inspired the creation of velcro.
By Veronica Villanueva, C2ST Intern, Rush University
Autoimmune diseases are quite common. Most of us know someone with allergies, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis, but–despite numerous advancements in the study of autoimmune disorders–there are still many questions left to answer about the causes and origins of these afflictions. Many studies are currently underway. While the individual purposes of these studies vary, the overall goal is the same: to give researchers a better understanding of autoimmune disorders. One detrimental autoimmune disease under study is multiple sclerosis (MS).
MS is an autoimmune disease which impacts the central nervous system. Specifically, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath around nerve fibers. This myelin sheath acts as insulation for neurons and prevents them from taking damage. Without the protection of the myelin sheath neurons are much more susceptible to harm–this can lead to things like impaired vision, loss of motor function, and diminished coordination.
By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University
Recently scientists¹ found a potential alternative for managing pain with anthrax². But bacteria, it turns out, have medical applications beyond just pain management. Not only do some bacteria possess natural tumor-targeting and tumor-killing abilities, but bacteria can be engineered to be used in a number of different therapeutic applications.
Imagine using bacteria as drug delivery vehicles to kill tumor cells. That’s right, researchers have developed a “cloaking” system³ that allows bacteria to temporarily avoid detection by our immune system. This system allows bacteria to effectively deliver drugs directly to tumors and kill tumor cells in mice. Now that’s putting bacteria to work!
Continue reading “Masters of Disguise: Fighting Cancer With Bacteria”
By Summer Seligmann, C2ST Intern, Loyola University
Last month, the all too familiar scenes of uprooted trees, flipped cars, and wrecked homes played out in the southern states. Over 10 tornadoes touched down in Texas in a single day, damaging thousands of homes before the storm headed to Louisiana and Mississippi.
On average, 1,200 tornadoes hit the United States each year. Even though tornadoes are somewhat frequent events, meteorologists have a hard time predicting them.
