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September 9, 2025 September 9, 2025 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

Science & Technology

PUBLIC DOMAIN CRISPR targets and removes or replaces pieces of genetic material.

CRISPR system could be the future of gene editing

By LAUREN PADILLA | April 25, 2019

Researchers at Cornell University recently developed a novel CRISPR system that has the potential to affect human genes. This research was featured in the paper “Introducing a Spectrum of Long-Range Genomic Deletions in Human Embryonic Stem Cells Using Type I CRISPR-Cas” published in the journal Molecular Cell. The development may, in the future, be able to recognize and destroy viruses such as Epstein-Barr and hepatitis B.  

Courtesy of Laura Wadsten Sheri Lewis and Peter Agre discuss their experiences in medical diplomacy for Osler Medical Symposium.

Nobel Prize Winner discuses medical diplomacy

By LAURA WADSTEN | April 25, 2019

The Osler Medical Symposium held their last event of the semester on Tuesday, hosting Dr. Peter Agre and Dr. Sheri Lewis. Agre is the recipient of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor. Lewis is the manager of the Global Disease Surveillance Program at the Applied Physics Laboratory. 

CC BY 0 The accuracy of genetic tests like 23andMe are under scrutiny.

Genetic tests like 23andMe and Ancestry may not accurately predict diseases

By SAMI SANIEI | April 25, 2019

It has long been known that some diseases are genetically inherited.  For example, sickle cell anemia is caused by a single mutation at a specific point in a gene responsible for hemoglobin. Having two copies of this mutated gene guarantees the disease. However, the relationship between one’s genes and disease is not always direct. 

   CC BY 4.0 Researchers uncovered remains believed to be the intermediate between apes and humans.

New human ancestor discovered in the Philippines

By JESSICA KASAMOTO | April 25, 2019

Researchers recently discovered the remains of a species of human that existed over 50,000 years ago in the Philippines, showing scientists that the Southeast Asian region played a larger role in human evolution than previously thought. 

World's first 3D-printed heart shows promise for organ regeneration

By ELAINE CHIAO | April 18, 2019

In recent years, the rapidly evolving world of 3D printing has given rise to numerous products that serve functional or aesthetic purposes. In an ambitious effort, scientists even successfully engineered simple human tissues using 3D printing. However, the latest breakthrough in the field is the creation of a product whose intricacy and complexity exceeds many’s expectations — a complete heart.

  PUBLIC DOMAIN Antibiotic resistance is now a widespread issue in developing nations.

Drug-resistant infections threaten urban health

By ALLISON CHEN | April 18, 2019

In Kibera, an impoverished area in Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi, widespread and uncontrolled antibiotic use is contributing to a significant increase in drug-resistant infections. Far from being an isolated example, Kibera is just one of a growing list of poor urban locations in developing countries where antibiotic resistance has become a deadly issue through a similar combination of factors. Dr. Guy Palmer, a professor at Washington State University who studies global health and infectious diseases, discussed this in an interview with the New York Times. 

  PUBLIC DOMAIN Investigators found that ground beef was the cause of the mysterious wave of E. coli outbreak.

Solving the mysterious cause of the E. coli outbreak

By BAYLEIGH MURRAY | April 18, 2019

On April 5, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 72 people in five different states were ill as the result of a multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli) with no confirmed cause. Now the outbreak has spread to at least 109 individuals, and the CDC reports that the source is most likely ground beef. 

  PUBLIC DOMAIN An increasing number of ER visits has been attributed to marijuana use.

Why is marijuana landing people in the hospital?

By KANAK GUPTA | April 18, 2019

We’ve all heard that you can’t overdose on cannabis. This raises the question as to why, according to a recent study, a hospital in Colorado saw 9,973 cannabis-related emergency room (ER) visits between 2012 to 2016. 

New Zealand takes a stand on gun control

By TRISHA PARAYIL and LAURA WADSTEN | April 18, 2019

Ever since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. last year, gun control has been at the center of political debate. Though millions have marched for their lives, countless town halls have been held, and thousands more lives have been lost to gun violence in the U.S. since Feb. 14, 2018, minimal steps have been taken to address this issue. 

  PUBLIC DOMAIN The melting of ice shelves may not have an effect on global sea levels. 

Can sustainable investment fight climate change?

By AKEIRA JENNINGS | April 18, 2019

The Johns Hopkins Advanced Academic Programs and the National Academy of Sciences will host a Climate Change Symposium on May 3 called Changing by Degrees: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Climate Change. In light of this, students and faculty are identifying different methods of achieving sustainability.

  Photo Credit CC BY 3.0 / Event Horizon Telescope  The Event Horizon Telescope captured the image of the black hole.  ggg

Scientists develop a way to visualize black holes

By CINDY JIANG | April 18, 2019

Lately there has been a buzz in the field of astronomy. On April 10, a network of telescopes all across the globe was used to produce the first image of a supermassive black hole and its shadow located in the Messier 87 galaxy. 

PUBLIC DOMAIN Mutations FAAH-OUT and FAAH can make someone unable to feel pain.

Two gene mutations can mute sensation of pain

By BAYLEIGH MURRAY | April 11, 2019

From happily munching on chili peppers and feeling little to no pain during childbirth to accidentally ironing over her arms and being unaware of painful joint degeneration, Jo Cameron has lived a life of little pain, fear or anxiety. 

COURTESY OF JAEMIE BENNETT Panelists talked about how to find jobs after a PhD not in academia.

WOW hosts its second Women in STEM event

By JAEMIE BENNETT | April 11, 2019

On Saturday, April 6, Women of Whiting (WOW) hosted their second annual Women in STEM Symposium, bringing undergraduates, graduates, and professionals together for a day to help empower women in STEM careers.

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