Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

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.

Dual Burden: Analyzing The Co-Occurrence Of Spinal Cord And Traumatic Brain Injuries In Texas, Blake C. Martin, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Daniel Salinas, Paul Bonilla, Victoria Elizondo, Anesu Karen Murambadoro, Kelsey Baker

Research Symposium

Background: An estimated 60% of people that suffer a spinal cord injury (SCI) have a co-occurring traumatic brain injury (TBI), with cervical level injuries having the greatest comorbidity. Following an accident, diagnosis of TBI may be missed as emergency responders prioritize the spinal injury. Early recognition of brain involvement in a patient with a traumatic SCI is crucial, as delayed treatment may cause irreversible neurological impairment such as deficits in concentration, memory, and learning. In this study, we analyzed the comorbidity of TBI and SCI in Texas, and the related demographics and injury characteristics. We aimed to increase awareness of …

Exploring Stressors And Coping Mechanisms Among Esperanza Community Residents Seeking Healthcare At The C.D. Doyle Clinic, Kashish Sawant, Alexander Carruth, Lucas Williams, Miriam Yampuler, Krishna Hariprasad, Pranavi Kolli

Research Symposium

Background: The C.D. Doyle Clinic (CDD) is a student-run free clinic that operates as an acute care center in the Esperanza Community (EC), a state sanctioned encampment in Southeast Austin supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. Residents of EC are provided with access to low-cost insurance, employment opportunities, and community support by The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF). However, studies have indicated that home-insecure individuals experience a heightened level of stress, due to causes such as social estrangement, systemic inadequacies in support structures, and financial instability¹. While CDD primarily addresses acute wellness needs, the clinic hopes to establish more collaboration with …

Retrospective Analyses Of Adhd And Neurodegenerative Diseases In The Rio Grande Valley, Maci D. Oestreich, Jennifer V. Escamilla, Shiza Khan, Kaitlyn D. Ybanez, Kelsey Potter-Baker

Research Symposium

Introduction: Previous literature has suggested that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be associated with later development of neurodegenerative diseases (up to 2.77 fold increase). However, it is unclear how this association may be influenced by demographic or ethnic factors. Specifically, neurodegenerative diseases (ND), such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or dementia, are exceptionally prevalent in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). Investigating whether ADHD is a potential risk factor for NDs in the RGV may provide valuable insights for early diagnosis, intervention, and prevention. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between ADHD and ND in underserved, …

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.

Development Of An Nf-Κb Inhibiting Nanobody-Honokiol Conjugate For Targeting Central Nervous System Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Justin Z. Heckman, Sophia Villa

Research Symposium

This proposal outlines a project aimed at developing a novel therapeutic strategy for treating primary central nervous system diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (CNS-DLBCL) by utilizing a CD20-targeting nanobody conjugated with honokiol, a natural NF-κB inhibitor. CNS-DLBCL is an aggressive malignancy restricted to the brain and spinal cord, with poor prognosis largely due to the challenges of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and therapy resistance driven by constitutive NF-κB signaling. Honokiol, a bioactive compound derived from magnolia leaves, is capable of penetrating the BBB and inhibiting NF-κB signaling, making it an ideal candidate for targeted therapeutic intervention. The project will generate …

The Function Of Osteoclasts And Their Role In Joint Degradation, Justin Z. Heckman, Sophia M. Villa, Blake Martin

Research Symposium

This paper is a review based on over 50 papers from PubMed and Google Scholar that focuses on the function of osteoclasts and their role in joint degradation. Osteoclasts are specialized cells responsible for the resorption of bone tissue. They are derived from the monocyte bone lineage and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of bone remodeling. Osteoclasts work in conjunction with osteoblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, to regulate this cycle. In healthy bone metabolism, osteoclasts use regulatory pathways that are essential for remodeling, allowing for adaptation to mechanical stress, repair of microdamage, and maintaining calcium homeostasis.

In conditions …

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.

The Affordable Care Act 6 Years Later, Ian Gallagher

Osmosis Magazine

On March 23rd, 2010, President Obama sat in front of a packed crowd in the East Room of the White House. As he signed a new law into place, he remarked to the crowd that this bill would "set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and marched for and hungered to see." President Obama was referring to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare), which was the most significant piece of healthcare reform in the country since the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. At its inception, it was one of …

Ehr Interoperability: A Necessary Tool Within Accountable Care Organizations, Miriam Mcbride

Osmosis Magazine

One of the most obvious tools to improve population health management and reduce costs is through advanced electronic health records (EHR). Electronic Health Records are presumed to cut down costs by decreasing paperwork, and reducing medical test repetition.

The Emergence Of Schizophrenia In Young Adulthood: Is There A Cure?, Colette Buser

Osmosis Magazine

Schizophrenia can have both positive (psychotic behavior) and negative (abnormal emotion and behavior) symptoms. Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and movement disorders. Negative symptoms include a flat affect (reduction in emotional expressiveness), reduced pleasure, and a difficulty sustaining previous activities.