Category: Biology
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The Effects of Genetic Mutations on Glioblastoma Development and Treatment
What is a glioblastoma? Glioblastoma (GBM) is a type of malignant tumor that invades and destroys our brain tissue in a quick and aggressive manner [1]. It is often referred to as a grade IV astrocytoma or “primary” brain tumor [1]. However, GBMs can also be classified as de novo, meaning they form without a… Read more
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A Quick Breakdown of The Role of Gut Microbiomes in Mental Health Disorders
It may seem like our gut has nothing to do with our brain, but you’ll be surprised to find several links between the two parts of our body. Gut microbiota plays a key role in mental health disorders and this article will be going over a few ways our gut influences common neurological disorders. Gut… Read more
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The Future of AI in Genetic Testing: An Analysis of AI’s Potential Role & Impact
AI is undoubtedly a pillar of future advancements in healthcare. Despite concerns over bias and security risks, AI has already been integrated into healthcare, and genetic testing is only one area AI is particularly able to impact. In 2022, 129,624 genetic tests were developed and submitted to the genetic testing registry [1]. That is a… Read more
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How Does Our Brain Communicate? Neurotransmitters and Their Role in the Nervous System
Our brain is one of the most powerful and intricate centers of our body. It, along with the rest of the nervous system, controls everything that we do. One thing that a lot of people often forget about the nervous system is the crucial role neurotransmitters play in the process. Neurotransmitters are like chemical messengers,… Read more
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Diving into the World of Biotech: An Overview of CRISPR & Gene Editing
I’m sure you have heard of CRISPR. You know, gene editing, modifying DNA… that sort of stuff. But you probably didn’t know that CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. Fancy name, right? The wonders of gene therapy are something that has always intrigued me because of its potential to help so many… Read more
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Reconnecting With My Roots: My Grandmother & Her Experience with Diabetes
Tang niao bing. I remember hearing those words from my mother several times when I visited my grandmother in China for the summer. I was probably 9 or 10 during that time. With my strained knowledge of the Chinese language due to being born in Canada, I had no idea what my mom was talking… Read more
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A Money-Hungry World: Bioethics & Monetizing the Healthcare Industry
As a Canadian, I am extremely grateful for our free healthcare system. However, it is not easy to overlook what is going on across our border – in the U.S. – and all over the world. While I may not be personally impacted by this, it is an alarming issue that needs to be advocated… Read more