Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Phage Therapy: A Fresh Look At Last Century's Candidate For Fighting Bacteria, Savannah Del Cid

Osmosis Magazine

Humanity has fought infectious bacteria for ages, but it wasn't until recently that humans began to distil chemicals from nature to fight bacteria, which we know as antibiotics. At first, bacteria were easily treated with antibiotics, such as the well-known penicillin. However, the improper and overuse of antibiotics over the decades has created the perfect environment for mutated bacteria to thrive despite antibiotic treatments. This has become a major concern for doctors and patients because the need to utilize methods beyond the pharmaceutical has not become widely apparent until now.

A Biologically Modified World, Maxim Ermoshkin

Osmosis Magazine

The field of synthetic biology has received more attention in the last decade to become a leading emerging technology. The field merges engineering concepts with the study and manipulation of biology. Synthetic biology fosters new solutions to biological problems by reconstructing biological phenomena as well as creating entirely new organisms. Venture capitalists and governments have dramatically increased investment and funding in this field because of its potential in reimagining how medicine, energy, and food are developed.

Origins And Ethics Of Biohacking, Lindsey Paul

Osmosis Magazine

Since its first mention in a 1988 Washington Post article, the biohacking movement has taken on many definitions, with the overarching goal of disseminating information and techniques to allow people outside of the traditional scientific community to modify biological systems. Biohackers, then, are the members of this movement, viewing themselves as boundary-pushers and explorers.

Youth Football: Risk Of Brain Injury, Justin Airas

Osmosis Magazine

Recent studies have increased concerns of the impact of youth tackle football on later neurological health.

Vaping: Is It Better Or Worse For You Thank Smoking?, Madeline Ustanik

Osmosis Magazine

Electronic cigarettes, otherwise referred to as "vapes", "juuls", or "e-cigs", have rapidly risen in popularity since their initial introduction in 2003. The explosion of vape shops, the sight of vape pens in public spaces, and the prevalence of vaping within popular culture is now commonplace. Also available in a variety of flavorings, such as strawberry, mango, and mint, e-cig pods have risen in popularity, particularly among high schoolers and young adults.

Disorder Of Sex Development (Dsd), Dana Oriana Morcillo

Osmosis Magazine

A parent's greatest joy is the moment their child is born. However, this moment can become confusing and even, stressful when their newborn child has different or additional genitalia than the one expected. In moments like this, an important decision lies ahead for both the parents and the physicians in treating the child with caution and more importantly, the appropriate care. Children born with disorder of sex development (DSD) introduce a new medical dilemma that extends beyond the physical, but to psychological, social and ethical concerns as well.

The Effect Of Sleep On Performance In School, Sam Bottum

Osmosis Magazine

As college students, we have all heard that sleep is key to performing well in the classroom. Just how true is this? This article will delve into several studies to get to the bottom of the age-old question.

The Genes To Success: Are You Naturally Gifted?, Adriana Grimes

Osmosis Magazine

Have you ever wondered why it seems that some people struggle in school despite working just as hard as everyone else, yet others can get away with barely studying and still have a 4.0 GPA? Well it turns out there may be some hints in your genome.

Science And The Supreme Court, Nathan Dinh

Osmosis Magazine

On the first Monday of October, the eight justices of the Supreme Court sat on the bench to hear the first oral arguments of the new term, Weyerhauser Company v. United States Fish and Wildlife Services. This case did not involve niche tax laws or contracts, nor did it involve hot button topics like immigration or abortion rights. Rather, it involved the lowly dusky gopher frog.

Letter From The Editor, Mckenzie (Mickey) Survin

Osmosis Magazine

Dear Reader,

Thanks for picking up the fifth - yes, fifth! issue of Osmosis Magazine. I am so proud of how far Osmosis has come! The articles in this issue are more relevant than ever, and ifs inspiring to see so many passionate people coming together to write about them.

We have welcomed so many new faces-shout out to my new design team - as well as some loyal returners. I would like to personally thank Sanitra Desai for sticking this out with me, especially the early days when it was a design team party of two. It's going to …

Osmosis Magazine - Fall 2018

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

Is Birth Control Harming The Environment?, Missy Schrott

Osmosis Magazine

In recent years the "go green" mentality that more and more people are adopting has led to concern about the environmental impacts of contraceptives, especially birth control pills, on aquatic life and drinking water supplies.

Food Deserts In Richmond, Jesse Conway

Osmosis Magazine

The term "food desert" is one of recent origin but describes a growing phenomenon throughout the United States. "Food desert" refers to a town or area with limited access to fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthy whole foods.l These areas are often impoverished and thus devoid of nearby supermarkets and farmers' markets, as low profit margins lead to a wide array of challenges for incoming businesses. With limited access to these food sources, families often turn to cheaper and more processed options that are high in unhealthy fats and carbohydrates. This problem worsens for households without a car or with …

Genetic Testing As A Screening Tool For Mental Health Medication, Rachel Bringewatt

Osmosis Magazine

No abstract provided.

Is There More To Big Pharma Than Its Big Profits?, Dana Morcillo

Osmosis Magazine

At over $1 trillion a year, the prescription drug market is one of the largest markets in the world. The United States leads the global market ·with an expenditure of over $300 billion, as of 2014. This number is expected to grow to between $370 and $400 billion dollars by 2020. This market, popularly known as Big Pharma, is heavily invested in researching, testing and advertising pharmaceutical drugs for the sole purpose of creating a profit, or so many people believe. This can be achieved through lobbying efforts and various advertising techniques. However, is there more to Big Pharma than …

To Study Abroad Or To Not Study Abroad: A Big Question For Pre-Health Students, Rachel Bringewatt

Osmosis Magazine

Judging from pre-health students' varying approaches there is no right answer.

The Elephant In The Room: Why Don't The Largest Animals Get Cancer, Abigail Watterson

Osmosis Magazine

There is a famous conundrum in the field of cancer research called the Peto Paradox that questions why animal body mass and rates of cancer development are not actually correlated. It seems reasonable to think that more cells and more cell division would lead to a higher rate of developing mutations that lead to cancer. But as it turns out, larger animals have hidden mechanisms that can fight off cancer and prevent tumor growth.

Anxiety: Unraveling The Miconceptions, Annie Ryan

Osmosis Magazine

Since it's addition to the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1980, generalized anxiety disorder has highlighted what could only be described as an epidemic.

You Reap What You Sow: Herbicide Atrazine Linked To Cancer, Mary Burns

Osmosis Magazine

Atrazine is an herbicide that is used on more than 50% of the corn grown in the United States, and it is the second most commonly used herbicide in the country. Over 73 million pounds of atrazine are used every year in the United States. ... The use of atrazine increase s the corn harvest and therefore the country's food and fuel supplies. However, atrazine also poses harmful effects.

Reinventing Drug Delivery: Microneedle Technology, Niamh Sutherburg

Osmosis Magazine

Conventionally, hypodermic needles have been used to administer a wide range of drugs from common vaccines to insulin. There are, however, several downsides to this traditional route of drug delivery, including the pain of injections, storage and temperature requirements , and the potential for infections. Microneedles, an idea initially introduced in the 1970s with recent developments in the past decade, offer a painless alternative to traditional needles.

Shedding Light On Optogenetics, Carew Bartley

Osmosis Magazine

Scientific discoveries are often described as the sudden illumination of a light bulb. This is a particularly apt metaphor when discussing breakthroughs made possible by optogenetics, a research technique that enables neuroscientists to turn brain areas on or off with the flip of a light switch.

Prions: Combatting An Agent Of Death, Justin Airas

Osmosis Magazine

First discovered in 1986, prions are proteins produced naturally by the body's nerve cells that can form multiple folded structures. ... While prions take the form of many diseases such as kuru and scrapie, the most commonly known disease is Bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

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Beyond The Bandage: A Look At The Innovations In Severe Burn Care, Adriana Grimes

Osmosis Magazine

Burns regularly occur in everyday life and minor burns are common while cooking, using household tools, or from sources of heating. Unfortunately, each year 45,000 people receive burns so severe that their treatment requires hospitalization.

Michelle Obama: Moving Towards Childhood Obesity Solutions, Ian Gallagher

Osmosis Magazine

Throughout the Obamas' time in office, approval ratings made it clear the most popular Obama was not the man in the Oval Office. First Lady Michelle Obama consistently received higher approval ratings than her husband during his time in office. This could be attributed to her strong devotion to her family and her appearance as a genuinely good and caring person. During her time in office she drew the attention of the public by shedding light on one of the worst health epidemics currently afflicting the country: childhood obesity.

Letter From The Editors, Alex Long, Nicole D'Ambrosio

Osmosis Magazine

Dear Reader,

It's done: our second edition. Osmosis has officially lived for one year. We have seen a lot happen this past year and one thing is for certain, this publication is important. Now, more than ever, scientific literacy, journalism, and general curiosity are undeniably vital. The writers have created and the Osmosis team has crafted something we are proud of and something that adds to our collective history here at UR. Sure, it's going to be hard to move on and pass over something we have poured so much passion and time into. But we didn't make this for …

Osmosis Magazine, Spring 2017

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

Dr. William Myers: A Small Reflection On A Grand Legacy, Alex Long

Osmosis Magazine

No abstract provided.

The Bionic Human: Applications Of Neuroprosthetics, Niamh Sutherburg

Osmosis Magazine

Neuroprosthetics are implanted or exterior devices that support or replace parts of a compromised nervous system. This emerging field has grown significantly over the past two decades, producing innovative technology with the potential to benefit those afflicted by paralysis and amputation as well as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.

Breaking The Conventions Of Contraception, Adriana Grimes

Osmosis Magazine

Contraception is one of the most important topics for sexually active young adults and adolescents who do not want to reproduce. ... Since access and usage of contraception plays such a major role in teen pregnancy, it is an extremely important topic to discuss.

Use Of Stem Cells In The Treatment Of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus And Multiple Sclerosis, Danielle Storozynsky

Osmosis Magazine

The use of stem cells in the treatment of primary immunodeficiencies has been studied for the past twenty years and shows a rising potential in the ability to decrease associated symptoms.