Science & Technology

Europe is leading the fight against climate change while the U.S. falls behind

By TANVI NARVEKAR | December 5, 2019

These past couple of months have been eventful in terms of climate change. While it is always possible to take more action, any progress is a step in the right direction. A month ago, Italy became the first country to require education on climate change. The education will first be taught through civics courses but will expand to be included in all subjects.

B8_cliamte change.jpg
PUBLIC DOMAIN Seven to nine hours a night is recommended, but even a ‘caffeine nap’ can help.

Finals Health Series: Sleep clears waste in the brain and recharges cells

By MEGHANA RAVI | December 5, 2019

It’s 2 a.m. and you’re starting to do that thing where you fall asleep in 10 second intervals before waking up and rereading the same paragraph of your textbook, then falling asleep again somewhere in the middle of it. Your task list sits next to you, a laundry list of assignments and reminders that haven’t been checked off yet. Five more minutes, you think, I just need to finish this chapter. 

Finals Health Series: Exercise can boost academic performance

By DEANNA RAHMAN | December 5, 2019

Finals season drives many students to change their daily routines. Sleep schedules are adjusted, time set aside to socialize decreases and exercise routines are minimized or eliminated altogether. In general, these activities are not prioritized by students during this demanding time. However, it has been proven that exercise has benefits for both mental health and academic performance. 

COURTESY OF EDA INCEKARA Students can attend fitness classes at the Rec Center even during finals week.

It’s okay not to be productive over intersession

By JESSICA KASAMOTO | December 5, 2019

Dear freshmen, First and foremost, let me personally congratulate you for surviving your first semester of classes. You made it to December. Winter is coming. The weather outside is frightful, and while finals aren’t that delightful, just remember that we are exactly 20 days from Christmas. 

Finals Health Series: Intermittent study breaks are not a waste of time

By SHIVNI PATEL | December 4, 2019

Every student has been there at some point. Massive projects and exams are looming on the horizon, and one begins to feel the pressure for every moment of the day to be occupied with reading through the textbook and going through practice problems. It seems as if there is so much work to do, and it feels as if there is no room for downtime.

FILE PHOTO Studies suggest that taking a moment to reflect on broader goals boosts performance.

Research in the Physics Department is vast and varied

By MUHAMMAD ABIDI | December 4, 2019

Very few of us have left this planet to travel to black holes or neighboring galaxies. However, there are certainly those of us that study such astronomical bodies and the universal laws that apply to them. Much research and teaching regarding such phenomenal aspects of our universe occur in the Department of Physics and Astronomy here at Hopkins.

Chemist studies plants’ light-capturing abilities

By PETER NOVELLO | November 21, 2019

The chemistry of how plants absorb light on a sunny day is more complicated than you may have realized.  Those chemical mechanisms were the topic of Alexander Ayzner’s talk titled “Scrambled Eggs and Ladders: Understanding Formation and Exciton Transport of Aqueous inter-Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Complexes,” for the Ephraim and Wilma Shaw Rosemen Colloquium Series at Hopkins. 

PUBLIC DOMAIN Professor Ayzner aims to mimic light-harvesting organelles found in plants.

Science journalist shares reporting experiences

By AKEIRA JENNINGS | November 21, 2019

Effectively communicating important and complex information to the public is not an easy task. However, students and visiting guests were able to learn firsthand from award-winning science journalist Erik Vance how they can use the craft of writing to disseminate scientific information all over the world.

Students share gap year and med school advice

By JUNYAO LI | November 21, 2019

For those who have decided to take a gap year between their undergraduate education and medical school, the question of what to do during that year can be overwhelming. Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta), a collegiate honor society and academic fraternity for students of the biological sciences, hosted a Research & Medicine Gap-Year Student Panel earlier this month. Four Hopkins alum, who are currently on their gap years, shared their experiences on the panel. 

PUBLIC DOMAIN The Aedes aeqypti species transmits a variety of diseases including Zika.

Study shows how mosquitoes sense human scent

By WILLIAM BLAIR | November 21, 2019

Although most people in the United States perceive mosquitoes as no more than an annoyance, mosquitoes are, in fact, the world’s deadliest animal. About seven million people are infected by mosquitoes each year, resulting in over one million deaths.