Archive: September 2021
Social Initiatives
You can do gardening for decorative purposes or food purposes by growing and cultivating. It can be considered an art because of the beauty of the end result. Planting can be done anywhere with only a seed, sun, care and water. Everything is different since every plant is different, like humans; some plants will need more attention, care and water than others and choosing one that will suit our needs and wants is important for your plant's life. There’s so many things to think about, but it shows the complexity and true nature of plants as living things.
What is consciousness? Are you conscious right now as you are reading this article or when you daydream? The Cambridge Dictionary describes consciousness as "the state of understanding and realizing something." Or in other words the simple awareness of internal or external existence. However, the topic of consciousness, how it works, and where it is has been debated over hundreds of years by philosophers and scientists.
Social media’s influence on today’s children is in no way under-discussed, but a particular Netflix documentary helps to summarize and provide evidence for its effects on youth. In terms of addiction, it affects the majority of its young users, including legitimate withdrawal effects. It has also been known to detrimentally affect mental health. Social media can harvest personal data, spread false news, and encourage cyberbullying. While some argue that the negative effects greatly outweigh the positives, they do exist. For example, networking has never been easier for young people entering the job market or just looking for experience. Communicating with loved ones is easier than ever as well. Lastly, raising awareness has also been made more accessible. All in all, it is important to be a conscious consumer when using these tools.
Scientific News
It is one of the most dangerous types of cancer, with the most common causes being smoking and air pollution. Genetics/family history and its role in lung cancer is not thoroughly understood. There are three main types of lung cancers: small cell, non small cell, and mixed/large cell lung cancer. The biggest difference between the three classifications is how prevalent they are, with non small cell lung cancer being more common. With non-small cell lung cancer, many cases go undiagnosed until the cancer has metastasized throughout the lungs and other parts of the body. Current research delves into the tie between certain genes increasing a person’s risk of developing lung cancer, which could greatly lower the number of non small cell lung cancer patients who go undiagnosed for long periods of time.
Ohio State University researchers have discovered ice glaciers containing microbes and phages that are as old as 14,500 years. Ice samples reveal genetic coding for 33 distinct viruses, 28 of which have never been found before. Fortunately, the harmful microbes have already been identified and only target bacteria rather than humans or animals. However, melting glaciers and thawing permafrost are two examples of climate change, both of which have the potential to release live viruses, posing an imminent threat to humans. Knowledge of viral evolution and past microbial ecosystems are valuable, as it presents insight into how microbes, especially pathogens, will respond to climate change.
Advice/Tips
University or college will be starting soon. It is a huge milestone in one's life, but it can be very daunting, stressful, and scary at the same time. Here are some tips from the Race to a Cure board of directors and leads from their personal experience for those starting freshman year this September. Thanks to Donny, Cathy, Serena, Zia, and Celine for their contribution!