As an immunologist-to-be, few things frustrate me more than hearing of misinformed antivaccine sentiments. I have been of the opinion for some time now that education about vaccines should begin in high school to give students the tools to properly combat misinformation campaigns. Thus, when I learned that Johns Hopkins was looking for applicants to(...)
Hypnosis: Trick or Treatment?
Posted by | Perspectives in ResearchA couple of weeks ago I indulged in a morsel of nostalgia along with my fellow millennials and went to see Incredibles 2. If you’ve seen the movie, you know that the villain uses hypnosis as a weapon. When I exited the theater and stepped out into the musky night, I was in a post-movie(...)
The F-Word in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Posted by | Perspectives in ResearchA recent study, published in Nature Genetics, has found an interesting new link between the F-word and metastatic prostate cancer. Before you let your imagination run wild, this is not the four-letter F-word but the other F-word — fat. Fat is an important constituent of all living cells, as it is a critical component of(...)
A Johns Hopkins Celebration of Women in Science and Medicine
Posted by | Events and HappeningsIn a time when women everywhere are fighting for equal pay, equal opportunities and an end to sexual harassment, it is important to celebrate women who have nevertheless persisted and succeeded in their chosen field. The school of medicine’s Office of Women in Science and Medicine (OWISM) aims to do this, and has given women(...)
Landmark RNAi-Based Therapy Achieves Clinical Success
Posted by | Did You See This?DNA serves as a blueprint for the protein repertoire that comprises the human body and its functions. To construct these proteins while also ensuring that its DNA remains safely tucked away in the nucleus, the cell generates disposable and short-lived copies of its active genes, called messenger RNA (mRNA). An array of molecular machines then(...)
Hopkins Medical Students Shape National Health Policy Through the AMA
Posted by | Events and HappeningsThe American Medical Association, or AMA, is the largest association of physicians and medical trainees in the United States. This organization has also established itself as one of the most powerful political lobbying groups in the country, ranking third in dollars spent for this purpose over the last 20 years. Additionally, the AMA has a(...)
Targeting Diabetes with a High-Fiber Diet: It’s All in Your Gut!
Posted by | Did You See This?Right this moment, your gastrointestinal tract is crammed with a vast number of different microbes, together referred to as the human gut microbiota. Don’t be too alarmed though, as this complex gut microbial ecosystem maintains a mutual and beneficial relationship with you. Given the bad reputation some bacteria have as being infectious and antibiotic-resistant, you(...)
Diversity at the Top of the Social Media Signaling Cascade
Posted by | Recently PublishedCaroline's essay received 3rd place in The Lasker Foundation Essay Contest. The Lasker Foundation’s Essay Contest engages young scientists and clinicians in a discussion about big questions in biology and medicine and the role of biomedical research in our society today. The Contest aims to build skills in communicating important medical and scientific issues to(...)
Recent Study Reveals How the Brain Learns from Others’ Mistakes
Posted by | Perspectives in ResearchLast month, my friend came back from Mount Kosciuszko with stunning photos and a seriously painful-looking sunburn. As I prepared to undertake the same hike based upon his enthusiastic recommendation, I decided to pack some SPF 50 and planned to reapply every 30 minutes. Without experiencing a sunburn firsthand, I knew to stay sun-safe, thanks(...)
Tips for Attending an International Conference
Posted by | A Day in the Life, Events and HappeningsIn January, my thesis adviser asked me if I wanted to attend the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology meeting in Amsterdam, which is scheduled for this June. To date, this is the easiest question my adviser has ever asked me, and my answer was a resounding “yes.” In most ways, a scientific conference is basically(...)