Redefining diagnostics: the integration of machine learning in medical imaging

By Federico Boiardi Medical imaging plays a vital role in modern healthcare, enabling practitioners to non-invasively access anatomical information for accurate disease diagnosis and management. The integration of machine learning (ML) techniques into medical imaging now has the potential to revolutionise diagnostics by improving accuracy, efficacy, and personalised care. Numerous ML models have shown promisingContinue reading “Redefining diagnostics: the integration of machine learning in medical imaging”

Lying and what drives people to lie

By Naveesha Karunanayaka There is no one definition for a lie, however the Cambridge dictionary defines one as speaking falsely. The act of lying is to “say or write something that is not true in order to deceive someone”.1 It involves two parties: the deceiver and the deceived. Although the deceiver is the one activelyContinue reading “Lying and what drives people to lie”

What are protocells and their applications?

By Jhonata Lam The use of protocells in modern research is able to assist in a range of subjects, from studying the origins of life to biotechnology.1 Involving the generation of synthetic cells, protocell research is therefore increasing in popularity. A benefit of its implementation is that it provides a significant degree of control toContinue reading “What are protocells and their applications?”

Hygiene hypothesis: the dangers of not facing any danger.

By Inés Ochoa Arizu After the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century, there was increased urbanization and progressive implementation of public health measures by western countries. Decontamination of the water supply, pasteurization and sterilization of food products, intensified disinfection of bodies and homes, vaccination or use of antibiotics and other medications all contribute to limitingContinue reading “Hygiene hypothesis: the dangers of not facing any danger.”

Genetics underwater – cephalopod RNA editing

By Larissa Potapova Cephalopods have intrigued scientists for thousands of years1. Despite being invertebrates, they have unusually large brains and a myriad of complex behaviours2. The most unusual amongst this clade are the coleoids: soft-bodied cephalopods that are widely considered to have the greatest behavioural complexity amongst invertebrates1. Numerous studies have sought to understand theirContinue reading “Genetics underwater – cephalopod RNA editing”

Bio-resistance of ionising radiation

By Jhonata Lam Extremophiles are organisms able to tolerate and survive in even the harshest environments on Earth. While such conditions can be attributed to their temperature, pH or pressure, different extremophiles’ tolerance to radiation remains a particularly great interest to the scientific community.1 Radiation itself is generated through the natural decay of radioactive elements –Continue reading “Bio-resistance of ionising radiation”

Sex determination systems in different organisms

By Jhonata Lam Using common model organisms – Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and the like – researchers have uncovered many pathways leading to sexual development. The dissection of procedures responsible for the diversity of different animal systems, however, remains challenging.1 Human physiology is partially determined by the genetic contribution of a pair of chromosomes known as the sex chromosomes.Continue reading “Sex determination systems in different organisms”

The impact of pharmaceutical pollution on aquatic ecosystems and human health

By Simran Patel Thinking about what happens to our waste after flushing the toilet is a revolting thought. However, without proper treatment, sewage can disrupt biodiversity and threaten public health. One of the reasons is pharmaceutical pollution because the active ingredients in medicines still remain active after excretion and are not fully cleared by wastewaterContinue reading “The impact of pharmaceutical pollution on aquatic ecosystems and human health”

How Elephants Are Highly Resistant to Cancer

By Sophia Hu Cancer is one of the leading causes of death across the globe and we humans have been developing battling strategies for many years, yet we still struggle. It is therefore intriguing to find out that cancer mortality in elephants is less than 5% while the human counterpart is 25% (1). However, if allContinue reading “How Elephants Are Highly Resistant to Cancer”