Authored by: Kanae Funabiki Art by: Caitlin Sweeney “Would you rather have Alzheimer’s or skin cancer?” This sounds like an impossible theoretical question, like choosing between the ability to fly or to turn invisible. In reality, you don’t get a choice, and you probably wouldn’t want one either. But what if I told you that Alzheimer’s and cancer are both influenced and shaped by the exact same gene? Meet the gene Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a lipoprotein responsible for regula

Authored by: Julianna Morris Art by: Kendall Eddington Think for a moment about the accessibility of healthcare in our community, as well as the United States as a whole. When we picture healthcare here, we often imagine modern hospitals, advanced technology, and teams of trained professionals ready to help at a moment’s notice. The technology, resources, and personnel readily available are miles ahead of members of the Nunavik Indigenous community, a region in Northern Canad

Authored by: Josh Chelliah Art by: Andrew Mo While many in the United States enjoy the comfort of where they live, this unfortunately cannot be said for many marginalized communities. These marginalized communities, particularly low-income groups and communities of color, are disproportionately exposed to toxic polluting industries and environmental hazards. This results in adverse health outcomes such as higher rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Minority ne

Authored by: Jixuan (Jason) Zhang Art by: Amy Em In the battle against cancer, every advantage matters. Timing is particularly critical, as treatment is more robust and survivability drastically improved when the disease is detected in its earliest stages. Cancer screening is therefore one of the most formidable defenses available. In fact, a study found that between 1975 and 2020, an estimated 4.75 million deaths due to breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer

Authored by: Jennifer Chen Art by: Eileen Cho Although the more known phase of COVID-19 ended, for millions of people, the battle was far from over. While public attention has largely shifted away from the pandemic, a substantial population continues to deal with persistent neurological and cognitive symptoms, which are now recognized as long COVID. These long-term brain-related symptoms affect those who were severely ill and individuals who experienced relatively mild initia

Authored by: Isabella Fiutak Art by: Kenneth Li Organ transplantation is a marvel of modern medicine, offering patients a second chance at life. To consider it miraculous, however, is to underappreciate the complexities of the United States organ transplant system— known as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, or OPTN. Following the passage of the National Organ Transplant Act in 1984, the OPTN was established as a public-private partnership under the authority

Authored by: Hanni Yang Art by: Rachel Jacob Good mental health is important for students to succeed whether it’s academically, build strong relationships, or to navigate the challenges. Without it, students may be struggling with concentration, decision-making, and overall well-being, which can affect their grades, social life, and long-term health. Peer pressure, scholastic pressure, and the fact that they are away from home can all make it more difficult for college studen

Authored by: Evelyn Caputo Art by: Kendall Eddington Since the first organ transplantation in December 1954, the scientific community has experienced numerous breakthroughs which now enable healthcare professionals to transplant approximately 19 different organs and tissues into the human body [1][2]. According to Mayo Clinic, one organ donor can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of 75 people through tissue and cornea donation [3]. This statistic demonstrates the i

Authored by: Emma Robinson Art by: Kain Wang Almost everyone can look back on their childhood with a fond memory of eating a giant red sucker or snacking on some bright orange cheetos. However, the growing concern around the quality of the food we eat has led many people to take a harsh look at commonly consumed processed foods. While some aim to cut out preservatives and artificial sugars, one of the most widespread areas of food anxiety is surrounding artificial dyes.  Natu

Authored by: Emma Davila Art by: Fiona Reilly Social media has become a dominant force that has transformed the landscape of modern advertising. On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, influencers leverage their fame and partner with major brands to market products directly to their followers [1]. The practice has become a powerful business model that shapes global consumer behavior. Influencer marketing has recently expanded across nearly every industry with sponsored produc

Authored by: Ellie Altmann Art by: Camille Parisot Before writing this article, I turned to my infallible friend Google and searched: “What is a healthy lifestyle?” Thanks to the AI Overview feature, I was instantly presented with a neatly bulleted blueprint: 1) eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fat; 2) exercise regularly for at least 150 minutes a week; 3) get 7-9 hours of quality  sleep per night; 4) manage stress through yoga, meditatio

Authored by: Ella Levy Art by: Laura Lee For many Americans, opening a health insurance bill has become an exercise in frustration. Premiums continue to rise, often faster than wages, leaving families and employers struggling to keep up. According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average annual premium for family coverage reached over $24,000 in 2024, a figure that has nearly tripled since the early 2000s (1). These costs are not only straining household budgets

Authored by: Eden Park Art by: Kendall Eddington It’s concerning how 2.3 billion people (30% of the global population) have dental cavities, and the current solution to treating them, instead of preventing the root cause. Scientifically known as caries, they are caused by microorganisms, specifically Streptococcus mutans . These bacteria feed on dietary sugars that we consume, producing acids as a byproduct. These acids combined with saliva and food debris form dental plaque,

Authored by: Derek Yang Art by: Kain Wang Improving mental and physical health is one of society’s top priorities, but achieving that is easier said than done. Experts are addressing this challenge by utilizing the concept of neuroaesthetics. Neuroaesthetics is the study of how the aesthetic features of the environment and its surrounding objects influence the brain, emotions, and overall well-being [1]. In simple terms, it examines how beauty through mediums like art, music,

Authored by: Daniel Nugent Art by: Caitlin Sweeney As technology rapidly advances, scientists are now, more than ever, seeking novel mechanisms for saving lives before the danger is apparent. Oncology in particular is a field with endless potential for early detection and prevention. Currently, a novel method of technology is being developed to potentially alert people to a cancer diagnosis before they experience any symptoms. This method is called flow cytometry, and further

Authored by: Daniel Jung Art by: Eileen Cho Shallow. If one word could describe the digital environment’s degrading effect on our lives, it would be shallow. In a world of ubiquitous advertisements and 30 second video clips, our attention is being yanked in every direction at once. While online, temptation strikes with the ease of a flickering rattlesnake - the screen whispering alluring promises of your favorite Youtuber or the newest celebrity fiasco just one click away. Th

Authored by: Clarice Xu Art by: Amy Em Many controlled substances, including opioids and sedatives, are legally manufactured and can be prescribed for legitimate medical purposes. Although these drugs provide significant therapeutic benefits, the effects of substances such as temporary euphoria, have led some individuals to exploit legal loopholes and misuse them. Multiple U.S. policies, including the Controlled Substances Act, seek to ensure that patients have access to phar

Authored by: Chloe Yerin Lee Art by: Fiona Reilly Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the most pressing and prevalent biomedical challenges of the twenty-first century. Millions are affected worldwide by dementia-related conditions. In the United States alone, an estimated 7.1 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease as of 2024 [1]. Despite decades and ongoing research, many aspects of neurodegenerative disease remain unclear, irreversible and progressive. This le

Authored by: Chloe Lee Art by: Ava Shi South Korea is often celebrated as a global leader in digital health innovation, integrating telemedicine, wearable monitoring, and AI-driven diagnostics to transform patient care. Yet beneath this story of success lies a growing inequality: elderly patients in rural regions remain largely excluded from these advancements. The country’s rapid technological transformation has inadvertently widened the healthcare gap between urban and rura

Authored by: Castine Hardesty Art by: Claire Ma Most Americans are acutely familiar with the concept of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as an unhealthy sugar alternative. Despite this, HFCS is, without exaggeration, everywhere in America – it is in soda, condiments, macaroni and cheese, canned soups, pizza, flavored cottage cheese, lunch meat, bread, and crackers – and that is only a fraction of the common groceries in which HFCS is present [1,2]. It is undeniable that this