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Protecting Innovation: The Tumultuous History and Uncertain Future of Biotechnology and Patents
As we stand at the cusp of a future enriched with innovations like CRISPR-Cas9, bioprinting, nanomedicine, and brain-computer interfaces, public sentiments oscillate between anticipation and apprehension. Given the transformative nature of these advancements, it’s crucial to delve into the legal framework that will safeguard and guide this technological revolution.
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The World of Quantum and Computers
In the macroscopic world, people, planets, and stars follow a set of physical laws to which all matter abides. However, what happens when such physical laws are observed on a microscopic particle scale? While modern circuitry strives for smaller silicon chips, this begs the question, how small can we go?
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Mapping Out the Brain: PET Scans and the Structure of the Brain
Throughout history, brain function has been a hotly contested subject — Aristotle theorized that it regulates heart temperature, while ancient Egyptians considered it a useless organ. Luckily, modern scanning technology has allowed researchers to resolve some of these century-old debates by precisely mapping out portions of the brain.
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Alzheimer’s Disease and the Neurobiology of Long-Term Memory Formation
The concept of long-term memory formation is an incredible phenomena which remains far from understood. How is it possible for the assembly of atoms and molecules that comprises the human brain to have the capacity to “remember?”
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Reject Bird, Embrace Dinosaur: How Ratites Lost the Ability to Fly, Four Times
The ratites are distinguished by their lack of a keel, a protrusion of the breastbone that acts as an anchor for the muscles used in flight. Despite being earthbound, these flightless birds are found in disparate islands and continents around the world, giving rise to a compelling mystery as to their method of distribution.
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The Menstrual Conundrum
Introduction The average Western woman will have around 451 periods in her lifetime. This means that each woman will spend approximately 34 years of her life menstruating, according to a study conducted by the European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition [H].1 Although menstruation is a natural and ubiquitous process, many women and girls are left…
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Traversing Tumors: How Single-cell RNA Sequencing Maps Malignant Tumors
Introduction By the time you finish reading this sentence, your body will have produced 38 million new cells.1 Within these cells exist billions of mutations, or structural alterations of your DNA. If that sounds scary, you needn’t worry — the body follows its genetic code as closely as an orchestra does its sheet music. But…
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An Anomaly in Phase Transition: Liquid Crystals
In 1888, while Austrian botanist Federich Reinitzer was investigating the properties of various chemical compounds, he observed that the compound cholesteryl benzoate appeared to have two distinct melting points. The solid compound first melted into a cloudy, murky liquid at 145℃, then became transparent at 179℃. 1 Stumped, Reinitzer sent a sample of this material…
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Symphony of the Human Brain
Humanity’s desire for self-understanding and curiosity about the brain has fueled research into its functions and connections for centuries. Early neuroscientists, such as Niels Stensen in the 1600s, recognized the brain’s immense complexity and stressed the importance of studying its anatomy to draw connections between brain structure and cognitive function. However, it was only after…
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Dual Consciousness in Split-Brain Patients
Joe, the Split-Brain Patient Adorned with a saturated blue and red sweater, Joe sits in a room full of flickering computer screens as a bright white monitor glows before him on the table. A balding man with circular glasses named Michael Gazzaniga sits next to him. Gazzaniga taps away at some buttons, his monotone voice…