Summer 2021 Edition

SCIENCE HOLIC

June 2021 SCIENCEHOLIC SPRING EDITION 2021

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MEET THE TEAM LEADERSHIP

Content Team

Executive Director

Joyce Hai

Molly Zhao

Content Team

Belinda Lin

Co-Director of Content

Katelyn Ma

Roy Xu

Branden Chen

Co-Director of Content

Co-Director of Editing

Senior Writer

Cynthia Zhang

Jiayi Chen

Olivia Games

Ted Isidor

Nikki Jiang

Hannah Kwoh

Patrick Lin

Ellie Livitsanou

Brianna Nee

Suhani Patel

Ioannes Salamanes

Khwaish Sethiya

Dalin Try

Ellie Wang

Jiahao Wu

Writer

Eric Jiang

Senior Writer

Vincent Chang Senior Editor

Writer

Kimberly Arinton Artistic Director

Tiffany Gao

Artistic Director

Writer

Writer

Kira Tian

Senior Editor

Writer

Tiffany Chen

Writer

William Tsay

Art Team

Artistic Director

Writer

Senior Writer

Editing Team

Co-Director of Editing

Renee Cao

Writer

Writer

Daelah Nicholas

Artistic Director

Social Media Team Writer

Demi Leng

Media Co-Director

Stephanie Hu

Media Co-Director

Winnie Li

Social Media Manager

Writer

Writer

Angela Wu

Social Media Manager

Outreach and Website Team

Writer

Scarlett Chu

Communications Director 4

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Jacob Liu

Outreach Director

Angel Tseng

Finance Director

Writer

Writer

Tommy Zhang

Website Director SCIENCEHOLIC SPRING EDITION 2021

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Editing Team Art Team

Tharindi Jayatilake

Megan Liu

Ken Saito

Peggy Yang

Liane Xu

Michael Zhu

Editor

Aurora Chen Artist

Jennifer Hu Artist

Jiaqi Fan Artist

Editor

Editor

Jenny Li Artist

Editor

Editor

Editor

Outreach Team Karen Liu Artist

Kaitlyn Stanton Artist

Denise Suarez Artist

Doris Tan Artist

Kevin Bu

Social Media Member

Nicole Tseng Artist

Nicole Wang Artist

Susan Wu Artist

Artist

Rain Cheng

Artist

Gianluca Zhang Artist

Yeqin Zhang Artist

Daisy Zheng Artist

Brandon Ma

Karen Li

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Amily Xia

Outreach Member

Lillian Hou

Social Media Member

Sophia Xu

Social Media Member

Outreach Team

Outreach Member

Kevin Chen

Social Media Member

Serena Yung Social Media Member

Cici Zhang

Chad Cai

Social Media Member

Social Media Member

Jeff Jiang

Social Media Member

Matthew Zhao

Social Media Member

Website Team

Matthew Chen

Website Member

Kitty Liu

Website Member

Michelle Qu

Website Member

Thomas Zhou

Website Member

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Canada

United States

China

Greece

Saudi Arabia India

Taiwan

Hongkong Cambodia

Singapore

Australia

WHERE WE ARE FROM 8

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We really mean it when we say that we have a global team. In fact, we have active team members from almost every continent, except for South America, Africa, and Antarctica. If you have any friends from there who are as passionate about STEM, encourage them to join us so we can further our international community!

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ASTRONOMY

Astrobiology: Life on Earth and Beyond Author: Ioannes Salamanes

Astrobiology, also known as xenobiology or exobiology, is the study of life in the universe.

Humans have long wondered what lies beyond planet Earth.

The Ancient Greeks argued that Earth was not the only planet capable of facilitating life, but they also lacked the technology to prove it. Now, with new and improved technology available in the 21st century, humans can better address the fundamental question: is there life beyond Earth?

To search for life outside

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Editors: Vincent Chang and Peggy Yang

of Earth, there must be an understanding of life and of the environments that support it. There also needs to be an understanding of planets, planetary systems, and stellar interactions/ processes. To help support this understanding, astrobiology combines techniques and knowledge from various f ields. Some of these include aeronautical engineering, astronomy, atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, geology, and oceanography. Some astrobiologists work alone on

astrobiology institutes and networks like the Australian Center for Astrobiology, the Centro de Astrobiologia in Spain, and the Nordic Network of Astrobiology Graduate Schools, have been established.

some of Saturn and Jupiter’s moons might have vast reserves of liquid, which suggests that there may be other worlds in our solar system where life may have evolved. Because planets either too far or too close from their host stars will be at temperatures

for evidence of past and present life that could have retreated to the subsurface, liquid aquifers.

Though evidence of extraterrestrial life remains scarce, the possibility of biota throughout the universe has been strengthened by the discovery of extrasolar planets, which indicates that there may be multiple habitats for life.

This possibility has also been strengthened by microorganisms called extremophiles that are tolerant of environmental extremes, suggesting that life can arise under a wide range of conditions. Also, there have been strong suspicions that

causing water to either freeze or boil, a “habitable zone,” as def ined by astrobiologists, is a range of orbital distances within which planets can support liquid water on their surfaces. Earth is the only planet inside the Sun’s habitable zone. However, there have been data and photographs showing that water once flowed on the surface of Mars and that there are still large quantities of water underground. Because of this, there have been international efforts to send robotic probes to examine Mars

moons Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede might have longlived liquid oceans under their icy outer skins. These oceans can be kept warm because of the gravitational interactions between the moon and their host planet, even if they are far from the Sun. It is even possible that these oceans might support the type of life found in deepsea vents on Earth. Another of Saturn’s moons called Titan might also be home to unusual biology on its cold surface.

Huygens, a European space

Artist: Daisy Zheng

Discoveries from the space probe Galileo launched in 1989 also suggest that Saturn’s moon Enceladus and Jupiter’s

specif ic scientif ic questions while others work together to answer questions that would be impossible to tackle alone.

Astrobiology is a new f ield of study, but it already has a promising future. Its research has greatly impacted how agencies such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plan for currently active space missions and those in the future. For example, many recent missions have focused on exploring worlds in our solar system for signs of past and present life, including the Global Surveyor, Pathf inder, and Phoenix on Mars, and the Cassini-Huygens on Titan. Additionally, recent investments and advances in telescope technology have allowed researchers to begin searching for habitable planets outside of our solar system. In the United States, NASA’s Astrobiology Institute is the leading funder and policymaker in astrobiology. Internationally,

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ASTRONOMY Institute. To prepare for their entry into the interdisciplinary f ield of astrobiology, most astrobiologists have focused their studies on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, there are some astrobiologists with academic backgrounds in social sciences such as history and psychology, as well as humanities. Astrobiologists also spend an extensive amount of time in labs. They look at fossils of the earliest life forms to try to deduce how they arrived on Earth. They also record and test the life cycle of bacteria that can survive in harsh conditions to f ind out if life can exist in other worlds.

Astrobiology is a study that truly covers a wide range of topics. The constant sensation of being at the edge of revelation keeps humans pushing forward in this new age of discovery.

With technology constantly becoming more advanced, there is no doubt that astrobiology will continue to prosper in this world and beyond. probe, landed on this large moon on January 14, 2005, and saw signs of liquid f low on its surface. These are a few of the discoveries that have promoted the emergence of the f ield of astrobiology by broadening the range of possible extraterrestrial habitats far beyond the conventional notion of a “habitable zone.”

If astrobiology and the idea of life on other planets seem 12

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interesting, then becoming an astrobiologist might be a future career to consider. This goes especially to those who are f lexible, persistent, and an “outside-of-the-box” thinker.

Astrobiologists should be open to change, preserve even when facing the most diff icult of challenges, and come up with m a ny i n n o v a t i v e i d e a s . A s an astrobiologist, one would study the possibility of life beyond Earth, the origins

of certain species, and their adaptability to different environments. This can include studying existing life on Earth or studying moons and planets to see if their conditions could support life.

Some astrobiologists look for places where the simplest forms of life are present, while others search for radio signals from intelligent life in the universe. However, something all astrobiologists have in

common is that they are usually experts in both biology and astronomy.

Although astrobiology is a small f ield, f inding a job in the f ield is not diff icult.

There are various places astrobiologists can work, including universities, government-funded agencies such as NASA or the ESA, and private research institutions such as the Scripps Research SCIENCEHOLIC SPRING EDITION 2021

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ASTRONOMY

The Biggest Battle Between Bones and Space: Microgravity Author: Suhani Patel

Editors: Galiba Anjum and Kira Tian

The human body has evolved with the constant pull of Earth’s gravity. In the microgravity environment inside the International Space Station (ISS), bones and muscles don’t have to support the body’s mass (weight on Earth). Without Earthlike exercise, astronauts would experience bone and muscle loss—scientif ically known as atrophy—while working in space. Since bone and muscle atrophy is not unique to space environments (it also occurs from normal aging, sedentary lifestyles, and illnesses), this occurrence can cause serious health issues from injuries due to falls or osteoporosis for both astronauts and individuals on Earth.

NASA researchers have been working to understand what causes muscle and bone atrophy and how to prevent it from happening. Since astronauts need to maintain strength to conduct research while also standing and moving without gravity, it’s important for scientists to f ind how to reduce the effects of atrophy. A nutritious and adequate diet alongside 14

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proper exercise is essential to maintaining individuals’ health.

A diet def icient in nutrients or calories can accelerate bone and muscle atrophy, while a well-balanced diet with the appropriate vitamins and minerals can help minimize its effects. Additionally, astronauts working aboard the ISS are “prescribed” more than two hours of exercise each day to combat muscle and bone atrophy. Research continues to help determine the right combination of diet, exercise, a n d medicat ion t o p rot ect against losses in bone mass.

Exercise is vital to keeping the musculoskeletal system—the muscle and bone system—strong to prevent bone and muscle loss.

Research done on Earth and on the ISS has demonstrated that high-intensity resistance workouts are the most effective way to reduce bone and muscle loss. The Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) on the ISS allows astronauts to perform these high-intensity workouts regularly.

While researchers understand

Artist: Tiffany Gao

the general causes of bone and muscle loss, they continue to investigate fundamental mechanisms and other specif ic contributing factors. Research done in space of the effects of microgravity on bones and muscles is an important part of these efforts. For example, some researchers assess the likelihood of bone fracturing following exposure to microgravity by scanning the hip bones of astronauts. There are also studies that compare subjects on the ground to those aboard the station or in simulated conditions of spaceflight.

The search for treatments f o r b o n e a t r o p hy i n s p a c e overlaps with research on bone loss associated with osteoporosis on Earth. While in space, immobilization and illnesses occur at a much

faster rate than typical aging on Earth. However, both conditions happen due to bone resorption progressing faster than the forma t i o n o f n e w bone tissue. This means that optimizing exercise regimens and developing medications to treat bone loss benef it people on Earth while also providing countermeasures for astronauts. Drugs that prevent bone turnover have already successfully prevented bone atrophy in both astronauts and animal models in space.

While NASA and private companies like SpaceX and BlueOrigin race to the stars, developing countermeasures for the dangers of space have become increasingly important.

Whilst in those partial-gravity environments, astronauts need to perform strenuous activities after a long time in near weightlessness. Thus, scientists need to conduct additional research aboard the ISS to develop the best solutions to the problems humans face both in space and on Earth.

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ASTRONOMY

The Space Pacman of White and Black Holes Author: Ted Isidor

Editor: Liane Xu

The cosmos is a vast and mysterious world. T h r o u g h mathematics, physicists and other scientists alike can explore the cosmos for clues on the inner workings of the universe. Recently, our compass of the cosmos has pointed us to one of the most unusual theories of our universe: white holes. To gain an understanding of this mystery of the possibility of white holes, we must f irst 16

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Artist: Denise Suarez

understand the relationship between white holes and black holes, which is a relationship that can be modeled by Pacman and his intestines.

In their quest to discover more about the existence, properties, and characteristics of white holes, scientists have found it rather easy to compare white holes to black holes. Black holes and white holes have two things

in common regarding their structure: a singularity and an event horizon. Black holes are f ormed when t he mas s resulting from a dying star collapses into a tiny region of space, with the area in which that mass once f illed as the singularity of the black hole.

The event horizon, on the other hand, serves as a bouncer for this black hole. The event horizon is an area surrounding a black where there will be

no returning once crossed. As black holes and white holes both share these two parts, what differences do they have? Well, black holes and white holes are like Pacman, the well-known video game character who can never get enough pellets. The mouth of Pacman resembles a black hole, as it sucks in matter but does not expel it. White holes are like Pacman’s intestines; they expel matter quickly but do not suck it back in.

According to Physicist Sean Caroll’s statement, “a black hole is a place where you can go in but you can never escape; a white hole is a place where you can leave but you can never go back.” Yet, many would argue that this analogy for the white hole has its limitations as it suggests that there exists a connection between white holes and black holes.

However, this statement is exactly what physicists expect.

To grasp the connection between white holes and black holes, we must go on a journey in explaining the mathematics behind this bizarre prediction of a new cosmic conundrum.

General relativity is a theory that tries to explain the force of gravity in our universe.

The theory states that there is a curvature in the fabric of space-time due to the presence of mass. The equations that justify these claims have been manipulated to f ind a startling discovery that our world may have wormholes, one of the most synonymous

objects with science f iction.

Wo r m h o l e s a r e b r i d g e s i n spacetime that connect two points, allowing for longer distances to be traveled in less time than what is physically possible in the normal world.

As every tunnel has an opening and an end, what is the cosmic version of these openings for wormholes? The answer would be black holes and white holes

because matter entering a black hole passes through a wormhole and comes out of a white hole. Although we have plausible ways in which black holes are connected to white holes, one issue resides with the theory of general relativity. At the singularity of a black hole, general relativity breaks down and is no longer able to explain these

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ASTRONOMY cosmic phenomenons. This misfortune leaves physicists in the dark with the research of white holes. However, another theory on the fabric of space tells us that we may have already seen white holes at this age of time.

The loop quantum gravity theory aims to solve one of the most troubling obstacles in describing gravity in the quantum world.

General relativity explains gravitational phenomena at large scales but fails to do so when we peer into the very smallest of things. One reason for this is its inability to coincide with a theory explaining the realm of atoms, particles, and many more quantum mechanics. Loop quantum gravity tries to solve this problem by providing a median between the two. It states that the fabric of space is an intrinsic connection of loops and nodes, with gravitational phenomena being the curvature of this intrinsic loop. White holes can be created by black holes through this theory. But for now, let us compare it to a trampoline. Imagine a nontearable trampoline in an open f ield. You are on a crane ready to drop a heavy ball onto this.

When you drop the heavy ball, the trampoline stretches and seems like it will rip apart.

However, instead, it launches the object in the other direction. Spacetime and black holes work similarly based on loop quantum gravity theory; 18

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when a star dies, the mass can in some time reach very close to the point of creating a tear in spacetime, which is a black hole, but instead, it is f licked outwards, leading to matters shooting out from the former star and therefore becoming our elusive white hole.

Researchers who believe in this possibility regarding the formation of white holes state that astronomers may have already discovered white holes in the form of supernovas, in which a large amount of matter that is heated did not result from the death of a star, but rather from a white hole.

This hole in our understanding of the world has led to remarkable predictions and intellectual thoughts being dedicated to it and other areas of the f ield of physics, which helps keep curiosity alive.

White holes, as interesting as they are, provide new meaning to the f ield of physics. Physicists and other curiosity seekers alike begin seeing our world differently.

Fr o m m a k i n g p r e d i c t i o n s on the future to peering into the unforeseen, from white holes to the Big Bang, there is much more to be discovered in this adventure of science.

Therefore, dare yourself to look deeper into white holes and other cosmic mysteries, expand your horizons, and most importantly, remember the words of Carl Sagan: “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”

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CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND TECHNOLOGY p r o b l e m i s t h a t t h e s e t i ny particles can be extremely toxic to the human body—it is unknown about the harmful effects of new nanomaterials and substances. Chemical pesticides were not considered dangerous when they were first used in the early decades of the 20th century; it wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that their harmful effects were adequately understood. Scientists wonder if the same could happen with nanotechnology.

How Small Can Science get?

Author: Suhani Patel

Editor: Peggy Yang and Cynthia Zhang

Imagine climbing out of the shower only to discover that you have shrunken in the wash by about 1500 million times your original size! If you stepped into your living room, what you would see around you would not be chairs, tables, computers, or your family, but instead atoms, molecules, proteins, and cells.

Shrunk down to the "nanoscale", you will not only see the particles that everything is composed of, you will actually be able to move them around! Now suppose you started sticking those atoms together in interesting new ways, like tiny lego bricks of nature, you could build all kinds of fantastic materials— everything from brand new medicines to ultra-fast computer chips. Making new things on this microscopic scale is called nanotechnology and it's one of the most rapidly developing areas of science and technology today.

We live on a scale of meters and kilometers, so it's quite challenging for humans to imagine a world that's too small to see. You have probably looked at amazing photos in science 20

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Artist: Aurora Chen

books of things like dust mites and f lies photographed with electron microscopes. These powerful scientif ic instruments take images that we cannot see normally because they are so tiny. Nanoscopy involves shrinking things down to a whole new level. Nano means "billionth”, or in other words, the nanoscale is 1000 times

smaller than the microscopic scale.

There are some very intriguing things on the nanoscale. Lots of substances behave very differently in the world of atoms and molecules. For example, copper (a reddish-brown metal) is transparent on the nanoscale, while gold (typically nonreactive)

becomes very reactive. Another example is carbon. It is quite soft in its naturally occurring form, but it becomes incredibly hard when it's tightly packed into a nanoscopic arrangement called a nanotube. It is easier for atoms and molecules to move around and between one another on the nanoscale, so the chemical properties of materials can alter.

In other words, materials display different physical properties on the nanoscale even though they're still the same materials zoomed out! Nanoparticles have much more surface area exposed to other nanoparticles, so they are excellent catalysts (substances that speed up chemical reactions).

One reason for these differences is that different factors become essential on the nanoscale. In our everyday world, gravity is

the primary force we encounter: it dominates everything around us, from the way our hair hangs down around our head, to the way Earth has different seasons at different times of the year. But on the nanoscale, electromagnetic forces between atoms and molecules are more signif icant than gravity. Factors like thermal vibrations (the way atoms and molecules store heat by jiggling about) also play a critical role. In short, the game of science has different rules when you play it on the nanoscale.

Critics of nanotechnology argue that humans shouldn't meddle with worlds they don't understand fully, but that would also mean that no scientif ic breakthroughs can occur: no medicines, no transportation, no agriculture, no education, and we would still be living in the Stone Age. The real question is whether the promise of nanotechnology is greater than the potential risks which will determine whether our nanofuture becomes a dream come true—or a nightmare.

Nanotechnology sounds like a world of great promise, but there are controversial issues that must be considered and resolved.

Some people have raised concerns that nanoscale organisms and machines could harm human life or the environment. One SCIENCEHOLIC SPRING EDITION 2021

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CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND TECHNOLOGY

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CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND TECHNOLOGY

from collapsing, a feat unheard of. By resisting collapsing, this new state of matter has a tremendous amount of applications in f ields such as quantum computing, and can even serve as a new power source for technologies.

Scar States: Particles Lost in the Woods Author: Ted Isidor

Editors: Shannon Tan and Kira Tian

Story of the Lost Hiker: Have you heard the story of the lost hiker in the woods? The story goes that while a hiker was exploring a nearby forest with the hopes of finding new places to explore, he soon lost his way and was in dire need of help in order to f ind his way back home. While walking through the forest aimlessly, the hiker heard an old man standing on a crossroad, calling for him.

When the hiker asked the man where he could find the nearest 24

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Artist: Jenny Li

telephone to call for help, the old man answered: “follow the path on my right and you will find an old payphone at the end of the trail." After reaching the end of the trail, the hiker was surprised to discover that rather than f inding an old payphone, another old man, identical to the one he last talked to, was waiting for him. He told the hiker, “the old payphone is no longer here, you must take the path on my right”. After this encounter, the hiker follows

the instruction of the second old man only to end up where he started. In situations like this, characters like the hiker always seem to end up where they started, forming a path that can be used to find out the “trajectory” of this hiker and as well create an encoded message.

The Meaning of Scar States: In the domain of physics, scientists from Stanford University have found a new state of matter in which

particles consist of a quantum gas (collection of atoms in a gas-like state) and are retracing their steps just like the hiker. The name of the new state of matter is Scar states, which is def ined as an “extremely rare trajectories of particles in an otherwise chaotic quantum system in which the particles repeatedly retrace their steps”, according to an article by Science Daily.

Before continuing with the exploration of this new state of matter, let’s dive into the purpose of this experiment.

Professor Benjamin Lev from Stanford University was the

leader of the experiment, of which his team wondered if by tuning an experiment system called a super TonksGirardeau Gas (excited atoms in a gaseous state that can only move in one direction), the entire experiment would resist collapsing faster than usual. In a typical experiment involving To n k s - G i r a r d e a u G a s , t h e atoms would collapse: the atoms fall in on each other, similar to when playing Beyblade when the toys fall in the center of the stadium in time. By adding these highly magnetic atoms to the mix, researchers were able to prevent the entire system

Neo Revolution of Scar States: As new discoveries in the realm of quantum physics such as the Scar States continue to change our understanding of the cosmos, it is important to consider the applications these discoveries can have in daily life.

For instance, it has been noted in an article by Science Daily that the repetitive trajectories of particles in scar states and the properties of this state of matter as a whole can be used to encode messages, revolutionizing our ways of communicating. In fact, one day, instead of passing paper notes through class, you’ll be able to use your own neutrino messenger or any of the other newfound ways of manipulating the quantum world to get your message to its recipient. Additionally, the slow thermalization of these systems, the process in which two or more things reach the same temperature through mutual interaction, can be used to charge machines in the future. Overall, physics is a complex, yet the wonderful field of study, and I hope that this article will help spark the inner scientist within you to continue the journey of discovering what exactly is the universe as well as untying the knots of scar states, particles lost in the woods.

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CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND TECHNOLOGY

Camille Maillard f irst described the Maillard reaction in 1912.

The Maillard reaction is one of the two forms of non-enzymatic browning or browning that does not involve a chemical reaction between enzymes and oxygen.

The other type of non-enzymatic browning is caramelization, which is often confused with the Maillard reaction since they can co-occur and can result in similar appearances and f lavors.

However, caramelization only involves the oxidation of sugar and has more of a sweet and nutty f lavor. Enzymatic browning, on the other hand, involves chemical reactions between enzymes and oxygen.

When the enzyme phenolase oxidase is exposed to oxygen, the phenolase changes the organic

Your Secret (Toasted) Key to Kitchen Success: The Maillard Reaction Author: Renee Cao

Editors: Galiba Anjum and Ken Saito

Have you ever wondered why toasted bread tastes better than plain bread? Or what gives foods like grilled meat, french fries, cookies, and roasted coffee their distinctive f lavors, colors, and aromas? The answer is the Maillard reaction, the chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars.

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Artists: Kaitlyn Stanton

Amino acids are the organic compounds that makeup proteins and they consist of an amine group (-NH2), an acidic carboxyl group (-COOH), and an R group, which are chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms that are specif ic to each amino acid. Reducing sugars, such as glucose and lactose, are simple sugars that are reducing agents.

In other words, they can oxidize because they have a free aldehyde or a free ketone group. Reducing sugars are vital for Maillard reactions because complex sugars such as sucrose (table sugar) and starch have molecules that are too big to react with Maillard proteins.

Fr e n c h p hy s i c i a n L o u i s -

compound phenol into melanin, which causes foods such as fruits and vegetables to be brown.

Enzymatic browning is usually not desirable since it causes a lot of food to rot and go waste; however, it can help develop f lavor in tea, and color and flavor in figs and raisins.

For the Maillard reaction to occur, heat is necessary, so temperatures at around 285445°F (140-230°C) will allow the reaction to be noticeable and occur at fast rates. This is the reason why many recipes require ovens that can reach these temperatures. Though the Maillard reaction can occur at lower temperatures, it won’t be nearly as noticeable and will take a signif icantly longer

time. Dryness is also essential because if the food has a lot of moisture, the temperature won’t be above boiling point and thus, temperatures will be very low, more energy will be put into evaporating the water, and less into the Maillard reaction.

Furthermore, baking soda is often added to foods to simulate higher pH levels, making more amino acids available to react.

The Maillard reaction is a quick and complex process with 20 to 30 steps. Though food scientists don’t know all of them, the process can be summarized into three main stages. In the f irst stage, the carbonyl group (C=O) of a sugar reacts with an amino group to create an N-substituted glycosylamine and a water molecule. In the second stage, the glycosylamine rearranges into either an Amadori or Heyns compound. If the sugar involved in the Maillard reaction is an aldehyde group, it will undergo the Amadori rearrangement; if the sugar is a ketosamine, it will undergo the Heyns rearrangement.

After the glycosylamine goes through either process, a ketamine will be formed. The ketosamine then polymerizes into melanoidins and f lavor compounds. Melanoidins are brown heterogeneous polymers responsible for the brown colors during the Maillard reaction.

The thousands of f lavor compounds are responsible for the taste and aromas derived from the Maillard reaction. For instance, the compound furan is responsible for meaty, burnt, SCIENCEHOLIC SPRING EDITION 2021

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CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND TECHNOLOGY and caramel-like f lavors; the compound thiophene produces meaty and roasted f lavors.

Acylpyridine produces crackerlike cereal f lavors, and pyrazine produces roasted and toasted flavors.

The Maillard reaction is an essential process that happens

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every day when cooking. It kills potentially dangerous microorganisms with heat, provides us with extra nutrition, and makes food look appetizing. Without it, we would not have the delicious f lavors and smells in foods.

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CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND TECHNOLOGY

Sit Up Straight to Debunk Posture Myths

Author: Renee Cao

Editors: Galiba Anjum and Ken Saito

If you ever were to observe the sitting posture of the people around you, it wouldn’t be diff icult to notice that almost everyone has a unique way of sitting. These various sitting postures, closely related to the health conditions of our back (especially the spine bone), are the results of several factors that correlate to back support, position, and even chair type. This article will present several factors affecting our sitting posture and discuss the optimal sitting posture for our health condition.

1. Hard chair/ Soft chair Soft chairs are generally preferred by off ice workers, mainly because they are more comfortable to sit on. However, compared to hard chairs (made of wood for example), soft chairs are not helpful for users to maintain their correct sitting posture. It would be hard for 30

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Artists: Kaitlyn Stanton

users to sit straight on soft chairs over a long period of time, and thus leading to back pain and potential severe back diseases.

cover different proportions of the area of the chair surface. For example, some students may sit on half of the entire surface of the chair, while others choose to sit on the entire surface of the chair. How will this factor make any difference? Some simple analysis of the forces exerted on people’s back is needed to demonstrate the effects:

Since the value of our body’s gravitational force is constant, a changing value of θ will lead to different values of forces exe r t e d o n o u r b a c k ( Fn ) .

Through this analysis, it can be recognized that varied sitting positions can bring different effects on our backs. Based on the body condition of every individual, a universal optimal

sitting position regarding the amount of chair surface sat on cannot be concluded. But it is plausible for every individual to improve their sitting posture by adjusting how much of the chair surface is sat on.

2) Another minor factor that inf luences sitting posture is crossed legs. Sitting with

crossed legs can do harm to one’s health, causing the pelvis to rotate and tilt, inflicting pain in the lower back, leading to deformation of the spine over time. As a non-controversially bad habit of sitting, sitting with cross-legs should be prevented in order to achieve an optimal sitting posture.

2. With/ Without back support Whether a chair has a back support or not has a signif icant impact on users’ postures as well. Without a back support, people would easily hunch while sitting; In contrast, a chair with back support not only increases the comfortableness but also helps users to keep sitting straight without the need to stay aware of their sitting postures.

3. Sitting position The two factors mentioned above focus on the chairs’ characteristics; for “sitting position”, we pay attention to people’s habits of sitting.

1) When sitting on a chair, different individuals tend to

In this diagram, the red arrows indicate the forces exerted on our back, Fn, and our body’s gravitational force, Mg, respectively. The angle θ indicates how much of the surface area individuals sit on.

(The more surface area a person sits on, the greater is the value of θ indicated by the diagram. ) To achieve the balance in forces, some equations can be drawn: Fny = Fn × cosθ Fnx = Fn × Sinθ Mgy = Mg × cosθ Mgx = Mg × Sinθ SCIENCEHOLIC SPRING EDITION 2021

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Air Pollution is the New Tobacco.

Author: Brianna Hang

Editors: Ken Saito and Liane Xu

Artist: Kaitlyn Stanton

The sky darkens as gray smog envelops the earth with its hazardous chemicals. Like a double-edged sword, the same air that gives life can bring suffocation and death. Air pollution is a mixture of solid, liquid, and gaseous particles that permeate through the air.

Natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions contribute to air pollution, but artif icial emissions from sources such as factories and cars are among today’s biggest problems. Not only can air pollution damage plants and animals, but it also brings serious health risks to humans, including lung disease and asthma.

By understanding the causes, we can f ind the source of pollution and f ind ways to mitigate these pollutants’ severe consequences.

Air pollution can consist of various chemicals like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, etc. that can come from many sources. Gas emissions from cars, factories, homes, and cigarettes are just a few examples.

Large cities with dense populations are more prone to air pollution because more energy is required for transportation and powering the city’s numerous buildings. Beijing and Los Angeles are two of the most polluted cities on Earth, with visible smog in the air. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nine out of ten people breathe air containing dangerous levels of pollutants. Additionally, nearly 7 million people die every year from exposure to polluted air. Looking at these alarming numbers, the WHO plans to reduce emissions by 15 percent each

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homes can increase the spread of toxic chemicals instead of letting them out. This is because residue can form on the walls of air ducts and grow mold from already existing bacteria.

year by setting regulatory limits for emissions.

To cut down on emissions, people have developed eco-friendly transportation to lessen fuel consumption. Hybrid and electric cars are excellent examples of this, where cars became less dependent on the combustion of gasoline for propulsion. Biking and walking are other forms of eco-friendly transportation, but are not ideal for traveling long distances.

As air pollution is generally regarded as an outdoor problem, air quality within homes is often neglected. Homes with coal, wood, or kerosene heaters can produce high levels of carbon monoxide that stick everywhere in the house and its residents.

Contrary to what our intuition may tell us, ventilation within

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, healthy people exposed to levels of carbon monoxide levels ranging from 1 ppm to 70 ppm (parts per million) should not experience any symptoms unless the person has heart problems. As carbon monoxide levels rise above 70 ppm, people will experience fatigue, nausea, and headaches. If constantly exposed to unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide, long-term consequences include lung cancer, heart disease, and other respiratory issues.

Depending on the prior health of the person, death could be a result of prolonged exposure.

By installing carbon monoxide alarms in homes, people would be able to check the levels of emissions coming from their stoves and furnaces and make sure the appliances are operating normally under the examination of professionals.

As humans continue to produce emissions, the environment gets negatively impacted as well. Air pollution can hurt crop yields by contaminating soil and water.

Toxins found in carbon emissions can cause DNA mutations and diseases in all living organisms. Another dangerous outturn of air pollution is acid rain. Generally SCIENCEHOLIC SPRING EDITION 2021

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ENVIRONMENT

known as a wet deposition, acid rain results from water and oxygen reacting with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which come from artif icial air pollutants. This reaction forms sulfuric and nitric acid, which can corrode and damage the planet. Wet depositions like acid rain most commonly refer to these compounds reacting with precipitation. Dry deposition, however, is even more dangerous in comparison. This is when the acid mixes with gas particles, which could then spread more easily through air movement.

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Environmental Protection Agency, acidic precipitation is usually around 4.2 to 4.4 pH, while normal rain sits at 5.6 pH. Buildings, especially taller ones, can also degrade from the pollutants over time due to corrosion and discoloration. This poses severe dangers because the materials holding the building together would gradually lose mass and become brittle.

To protect the environment by limiting the amount of toxins in the air, people should gradually move to renewable energy. A healthier environment

can improve the air quality for both humans and all other living organisms.

As we continue to gravitate towards eco-friendly options for transportation and energy, the process of ridding pollutants seems slow despite regulations being made to limit emissions.

By identifying the sources and raising awareness towards air pollution, humanity can start making gradual lifestyle changes—beginning within our homes and communities. Protect the vulnerable. Preserve the environment. Live a cleaner life.

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ENVIRONMENT

The Poisonous Venom of Wildfires Author: Ellie Wang

2020 was certainly a tumultuous year. Alongside the raging pandemic, there was a slew of natural disasters in the United States—the most prominent being the raging wildf ires in the summer. The smoke that lingers in the air as a result of these wildf ires is detrimental to an individual’s health, especially for children and adolescents.

Editors: Galiba Anjum and Liane Xu

Artist: Kimberly Arinton

A 2020 New York Times article mentioned that “fine particulate matter pollution… increases the risk of asthma in children and compromises their immune systems.” Although this has been a well-known fact for a while now, recent studies have unearthed just how deep those changes could be. According to the Stanford University’s School of Medicine, kids exposed to

wildf ire smoke suffered graver bodily consequences compared to those exposed to smoke from prescribed burns. The former group had lower blood levels of Type 1 helper T cells—cells involved in immune responses.

Additionally, this group showed decreased activity of the Foxp3 gene, which assists in regulating immune responses such as allergic reactions. Wildf ire smoke not only increases the risk of kids developing respiratory conditions but also affects their immune systems on cellular and genetic levels.

create huge clouds of smoke.

Economic conditions also play a signif icant role in determining who is affected the most by wildfire smoke: air purifiers and air quality sensors are expensive, and not everyone has the option of leaving the state when the smoke gets bad.

Why have the wildfires gotten so bad recently? The rise of fires is not a surprise, as there has been much build-up leading up to the f ires. The forests in the western U.S. used to burn naturally, but over time, they have been unblocked by manmade structures and intervention by the Forest Service. This would

m a k e “ p a t c hw o r k ” f o r e s t s or forests with intermittent patches of trees quicker and more eff icient. The clearings in between ensured that the wildf ires wouldn’t spread too far, and the old-growth trees weren’t as f lammable as young saplings. The Native American practice of creating controlled f ires referred to as “prescribed bu rn in g, ” s e rve d t h e s ame purpose as these natural f ires.

However, this doesn’t happen in the world today. Logging causes old-growth trees to be cut down, and the young trees that replace them have steadily grown closer and closer together, allowing wildf ires to spread more easily.

Adding on to that, the Forest Service puts out 95 to 98 percent of all f ires that occur every year, causing all that fuel to accumulate.

These conditions have made the western U.S. forests prepackaged meals for severe wildf ires. Therefore, the public must accept that prescribed burns are part of the solution.

They would thin the slew of trees vulnerable to wildf ires, and create far less smoke than wildf ires. To protect future children from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke, efforts have to be made about this untreated problem.

Ex t e r n a l f a c t o r s s u c h a s the substance of the fuel and localized climate can inf luence the severity of these effects. For instance, while the participants in the Stanford study weren’t exposed to f ires that burned man-made structures, there’s virtually no doubt that having chemical particulates in the air from burned structures would have further worsened the air quality. Location is a key factor as well. In general, rural areas are harder hit because of the abundance of dry brush and dead trees from heatwaves and droughts. These areas have strong winds that can carry wildf ires long distances and 38

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ENVIRONMENT

Reducing Oceanic Noise Pollution: Can We Turn Down

the Volume for Marine Life?

Author: Ellie Wang

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Editors: Kira Tian Artist: Cici Zhang

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Amidst waste and warming water, there is another environmental issue affecting oceans: the increasing levels of anthropogenic, or humancaused, noise. It may seem trivial, but the discerning sound is a way for aquatic organisms to communicate and navigate in the oceans.

Without the natural soundscape of the oceans to follow, organisms are left under great stress. In addition, the increased noise can cause d i re c t ha rm to o r g a n is ms , injuring or even killing them.

First, what does anthropogenic noise consist

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of? Some of the noise is the byproduct of using huge ships to tr a nsp ort goods around the world. Leila Ha t c h , a n NOAA marine ecologist, states that cargo ships are used to “transport over 98% of the world’s goods.” Offshore drilling for oil and gas is also a signif icant contributor to the noise. Moreover, intentional usage of anthropogenic noise, such as using seismic air guns to map out areas of the ocean f loor, also contributes to noise creations. In particular, seismic air guns have a large impact on the soundscape of the ocean: “they have been detected 4,000 kilom et ers

away,” said Douglas Nowacek, a Duke University professor of marine conservation technology. According to Nature, this noise has been increasing for decades, “Researchers agree that ship traff ic approximately doubled between 1950 and 2000, boosting sound contributions by about 3 decibels per decade.

That translates to a doubling of noise intensity every 10 years since the magnitude, or doubling, of sound increases every 10 decibels”. These sounds drown out natural sounds produced in the ocean, such as calls between organisms or the bubbling

of oxygen from underwater plants. Shots from seismic air guns reach up to about 260 underwater decibels—about 200-atmosphere decibels.

Cargo ships max out at 190 underwater decibels—about 130-atmosphere decibels.

To p u t t h e n u m b e r s i n t o perspective, a space shuttle launch produces sounds of 160 decibels for anybody nearby.

M a r i n e o rganisms suffer from a multitude of negative effects caused by cacophony.

For instance, clownf ish larvae are unable to swim until they have matured enough; they also drift away from home after

hatching. In order to find their way back, they have to listen for the soundscape of the coral reef—the popping of oxygen bubbles, the chittering of animals, and other such sounds.

Without this auditory guide, the clownfish is unable to return to the coral reef. Furthermore, anthropogenic sounds can also directly bring harm to marine life. Some negative effects include impaired hearing, brain hemorrhaging, and overpowering sounds animals make to communicate. They even cause gradual or swift death: a study on zooplankton resulted in the deaths of almost two-thirds of the

population in a 0.75-mile radius. Zooplankton is an important food source for many organisms, and the decrease in their populations would greatly upset the balance of the ecosystems.

Various solutions are available to quiet the noise emitted by humans: machines can be replaced with quieter designs, transport ships can be slowed down, and vulnerable areas can be avoided. In order to preserve oceans and the life they contain, this lesserknown problem requires a lot more attention and response to it.

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HEALTH

Green Tea and…..Breast Cancer?

They’re More Related Than You Think Author: Belinda

Editors: Galiba Anjum and Aurora Chen

Researchers have studied green tea extensively as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent. It is also one of the most consumed beverages around the world.

Green tea extracts have been proven to prevent cancerous properties in carcinogens. The risk of breast cancer can be reduced by both the chemical and physical properties of green tea. The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in particular is what helps in the fight against cancer.

Additionally, green tea is also a natural antioxidant, assists digestion, and boosts nutrient intake.

EGCG is a component of green tea that is associated with many of its health benef its. It acts as a potent antioxidant that protects against cellular damage and is accounted for 50-75 of catechins, which are phenols found in green tea. EGCG has also been known as the most effective constituent of green tea, which makes it a benef icial factor in preventing breast cancer. It also showed an enhancement 44

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in chemotherapeutic-induced cellular apoptosis through HepG2 cells by targeting the DNL pathway. A study found that EGCG used for treating

Artist: Kaitlyn Stanton

mice with tumors showed a decrease of 33-40 percent in tumor volume and a reduction of the tumor weight by 22.135.1 percent. Multiple cellular

studies have also shown that polyphenols found in green tea can inhibit carcinogenesis in a spectrum of cancers.

The increase in consumption of green tea has been largely associated with the reduction of breast cancer cases. As confirmed by two studies, drinking green tea allows for a delay in breast cancer development and conf irmed that regular consumption of green tea brings a 12% decrease in risk. Three cups of green tea a day will decrease breast cancer risk signif icantly.

The concentration of tea in a cup also plays a crucial role

in its effects. Another study determined that a group of females that consumed ten cups possessed greater preventative effects for breast cancer compared to those who did not drink as much. Therefore, the quantity and concentration of tea consumed is also considered when determining its effects against breast cancer.

Green tea is a top pick out of the most popular beverages globally, and has a multitude of health benefits. Atop its general antioxidant properties, its value lies in its services in preventing breast cancer.

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HEALTH

Why Do We Feel Pain?

Author: Branden Chen

Ouch! Touching a hot stove does not feel pleasant. Our body perceives the burning shock as pain. We all feel pain, whether it’s physical or emotional, but imagine a world where we do not feel pain at all—no more feeling pain when you burn your hand or get a paper cut or stub your toes. As amazing as this sounds, the pain actually keeps us alive and prevents us from experiencing further physical damage. So, how and why do we feel pain? The answers to this question lie in the control center of our bodies: the nervous system.

Editors: Vincent Chang and Liane Xu

Say you prick your f inger on something sharp, like a thumbtack or a pin. The sharp object causes tissue damage, which is detected by microscopic pain receptors, known as nociceptors,in your skin. The pain acts as stimuli for the nociceptors, causing them to send an electrical signal up the nerve fiber of a neuron. The nerve fiber, bundled with many other nerve f ibers, forms the peripheral nerve. The electrical signal travels through the neuron in the peripheral nerve to the spinal cord. In the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, the

Artist: Aurora Chen

signal is transferred from one neuron to another through the synapses (junctions) and neurotransmitters. The signal is then sent up into the brain, and from there, the thalamus

of the brain relays the signal to different parts of the brain, such as the somatosensory cortex (responsible for processing physical sensation), frontal cortex (responsible for

thinking), and limbic system (responsible for processing emotions). The f inal result is feeling pain. Sometimes, the pain can result in a ref lex response in the spinal cord, where motor neurons are activated, moving your hand away from the sharp object before you even have time to think about it!

Medical professions categorize pain into five types: nociceptive, neuropathic, psychogenic, acute, and chronic pain. Nociceptive pain is primarily caused by tissue damage, like a cut, burn, or fractured bone. Neuropathic pain is caused by irregular occurrences in the system that interprets pain, like the spinal cord or brain. This type of pain is typically characterized as a burning or tingling sensation.

Individuals with neuropathic pain usually have a heightened sensitivity to pain, feeling pain

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from normal, light stimuli.

Psychogenic pain is caused by psychological factors. Acute and chronic pain refers to the timeframe in which pain is experienced, with acute pain being a short-lived pain and chronic pain lasting much longer due to ongoing tissue damage.

Another important aspect of pain is the Gate Control Theory of Pain, explained by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall in 1965. The theory proposes the idea that there is a neurological “gate” in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord that regulates whether or not a signal can be sent to the brain. The theory explains the experience of chronic pain and the different intensities of pain. For example, signals may be readily sent to the brain, resulting in more intense pain, but other pain signals may be minimized or completely cut off from traveling to the brain, resulting in little or no pain. Although the theory is inf luential and likely one of the most widely known theories for pain, it lacks research to support it.

Next time you accidentally touch something hot or prick your finger, you can thank pain for triggering your ref lexes and bringing you away from harm.

However, for those experiencing chronic or intensif ied pain, pain is not always a response to harm and can be an indicator of a more serious neurological condition.

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HEALTH

Your Sleep Schedule Is Begging for You to Read This Author: Jiahao Wu

Editors: Vincent Chang

Why do we sleep? What does it do to keep us healthy? Most importantly, what happens if we skip out on sleeping? Since we spend a third of our day on average doing it, sleep is more important than we realize.

Quality sleep is just as important as food or water. Without sleep, pathways in your brain that allow you to learn and create new memories don’t form and function anymore. However, biologically, we still do not understand the point of sleep.

Scientists have researched the areas of the brain that "create" sleep. The hypothalamus, a small, nut-shaped structure deep within the brain, controls nerve cells that affect sleep and arousal.

Inside the hypothalamus is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), clusters of thousands of cells that receive information about light exposure, which controls your behavioral rhythm.

Damage to the hypothalamus can result in erratic sleeping.

The brainstem, located at the base of the brain, communicates with the hypothalamus and controls the switch to sleep and wake. This part also plays a role in REM sleep, sending signals to relax our muscles to ensure we do not act out our dreams. The 48

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Artist: Gianluca Zhang

thalamus relays information traveling from your sense to the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that interprets and processes memory. Typically, it is quiet during sleep, allowing you to tune out everything else. However, during REM sleep, it sends images, sounds, and senses, which become part of dreams. The pineal gland receives signals from the SCN and produces melatonin, a hormone that helps you sleep. People can stabilize their sleep patterns by taking small doses of melatonin.

The basal forebrain and the frontal bottom of the brain promotes sleep and awakeness.

The release of adenosine helps support your sleep drive.

Caffeine, a substance that prevents tiredness and sleep, blocks adenosine’s function.

There are typically f ive stages of sleep. The f irst stage is known as light sleep, in which we drift in and out of sleep where we can be woken up at any time. Muscle activity is slow, and people awakened at this stage often remember fragmented visual images.

During the second stage, our eye movements stop, and our brain waves become slower. In

the third stage, extremely slow brain waves called delta waves begin to appear, along with smaller, faster waves. In the fourth stage, the brain almost only produces delta waves.

Stages three and four are

known as deep sleep, in which a person is not easily woken up.

When we switch to REM sleep, our breathing becomes rapid, irregular, and shallow. Eyes move in various directions, and limb muscles are temporarily paralyzed. When people wake up from REM sleep, they usually can “remember” their dreams. A complete sleep cycle of REM takes about 90-110 minutes on average. At f irst, the sleep cycles contain short REM periods and long periods of deep sleep. As time goes on, REM sleep periods become

longer while deep sleep becomes shorter. By morning, people have spent their sleep time in stages 1, 2, and REM. Although signif icant research has gone into sleep, what happens when you do it, why it is necessary, and the reason for why it exists is still a mystery. Considering how humans use a third of their day to sleep, it must hold an important function that we have not discovered yet.

Hopefully, we will crack this question in the future.

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HEALTH

You Snooze Your Clock, But Your Body Doesn’t Author: Branden Chen

Editors: Lydia Ren and Cynthia Zhang

Artist: Jiaqi Fan

cycle. The genes that govern the circadian rhythms in the human body are the Period and Cytochrome genes. When we sleep, these genes encode proteins that build up during the night in a cell’s nucleus and then lessen during the day. Research has shown that

output of melatonin into the body.

these genes may be responsible for feelings of alertness and sleepiness. Light plays a crucial role in these genes, where exposure to excessive light at a different time of day can alter when the body activates the Period and Cytochrome genes.

Referring back to the previous example of melatonin, the eyes rely on information received from surrounding light to the brain. For example, if it is dark, the SCN will increase the

Coast to the East Coast in the US, the time zone changes by three hours. So, if you wake up at 7:00 AM in New York, your biological clock may still be stuck in your previous time zone with your body believing that it is still 4:00 AM. This change will cause your biological clock to reset, but this adjustment typically takes a few days.

Environmental factors can alter our circadian rhythms as well. Jet lag is a typical example of shifting our biological clock. For instance, if you traveled from the West

to know about our circadian rhythm? Studies show that our circadian rhythms affect our mental health as well, so disrupting this cycle can increase the risk of depression and other psychiatric illnesses and potentially

Humans sleep—it’s just a natural process everyone goes through. But, why do we sleep at night and remain awake during the daytime? The answer lies in the biological mechanism present in our body known as the Circadian Rhythm. This biological clock is the physical, mental, and behavioral changes in our bodies that follow a 24hour cycle, adjusting to the light and dark. This cycle is not only present in humans, but also animals, plants, and even microbes. It is essential to know how not to disrupt our circadian rhythm, as it can negatively affect our daily lives.

T he c i rc a dia n r hy th m is regulated through “clocks” in our bodies, known as biological clocks. These clocks consist of proteins that interact with cells throughout the body and are present in almost every tissue and organ.

All of these biological clocks are maintained by one clock: the master clock. Present in the brain, it keeps all of the biological clocks in sync and ensures the eff iciency of these processes. In humans and other vertebrate animals, 50

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this master clock is composed of approximately 20,000 neurons that form the SCN, or the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The SCN is a part of the hypothalamus and receives electrical impulses from the eyes. In relation to t h e c i r c a d i a n r hy t h m , t h e SCN controls the release of melatonin, the hormone

responsible for feelings of sleepiness.

Although the sleep-wake cycle is the most common example of a circadian rhythm, natural bodily factors also produce other circadian rhythms, such as the body-temperature cycle and the hormone release

So why is it so important

neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia. Research has also linked the circadian rhythm to our p hy s i c a l h e a l t h , a f f e c t i n g metabolism and weight and the regulation of blood sugar and cholesterol. With all this knowledge in mind, it is vital to maintain an individual’s biological clocks through efforts such as exercise, sleep, and exposure to natural light during the day.

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MEDICINE AND PSYCHOLOGY

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MEDICINE AND PSYCHOLOGY

The Science Behind Hypnosis

Author: Silvia DiPaola

The art of hypnosis may strike someone as something only seen in the movies, and one may think of it as simply mindcontrol. However, hypnosis is not just f iction and is often utilized in real life to help those with cognitive issues. It can also treat many conditions such as obesity, pain after surgery, anxiety, and stress.

People also refer to hypnosis as hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion as the patient tries to rectify their actions and/ or emotions. Irving Kirsch is a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, and he is researching hypnosis related to weight loss.

His research found combining pre-existing forms of cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT) combined with hypnosis helped clients lose signif icantly more weight than those who just 54

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Editors: Shamsia Ahmed

Artist: Daelah Nicholas

underwent CBT. The former group lost more than 20 pounds in four to six months, while the latter only lost half that amount.

The hypnotized group was also able to keep their weight down in the later months, and the CBT one tended to regain it. His research also found that hypnosis is effective for postoperative pain after surgery, pain associated with labor and delivery, and quitting smoking; a 2007 study of 286 smokers determined that 20% of the people who received hypnosis quit smoking, as compared to the 14% who quit after receiving only therapy.

So, how exactly does hypnosis work? It involves dissolving the barrier between your conscious and subconscious mind so that the subconscious retains ideas that are more beneficial for you.

The process usually involves two stages: the “induction” phase and the “suggestion” phase.

During induction, the person undergoing hypnosis is told to relax, calm their mind, and focus on the therapist’s voice.

The goal is to make the person more open to suggestions in the later second stage. Contrary to what television might portray, you do not lose control over your behavior, lose consciousness, or forget what is happening during

hypnosis. During the suggestion phase, the person is talked through hypothetical scenarios to help them address unwanted emotions and behaviors. The types of scenarios used depend on what the person is undergoing hypnosis for.

The overarching plan for successful hypnosis is to set aside your conscious judgments and to enter a deeper state of concentration.

The result should be that the person will be able to have more control over their thoughts and perceptions, thus easing the reason why they wanted to get hypnosis in the first place. Studies done found that hypnosis acts on multiple regions in the brain, sometimes even those related to pain perception and regulation. It may also quiet parts of the brain involved in sensory processing and emotional response.

The deeper you are into the state of hypnosis, the more effective it seems to be. This process should also not be utilized for those with severe mental illness, as it may exacerbate their condition.

Undesired side effects of hypnosis are rare b u t are s t i ll q u i t e plausible. Some consequences include headache, creation of false memories, drowsiness, or dizziness. Even so, hypnosis under the guidance of a certified therapist is generally safe.

If you wanted to, you could

hypnotize yourself! Self-hypnosis is indeed possible however, some may be averse to it due to fears of meddling in their mind. A quiet place, an open attitude, and some practice are required to successfully self-hypnotize and erase unwanted and harmful behaviors. It is also fairly easy to learn, and it only takes a few minutes out of the day.

Some may f ind hypnosis to be better than medication, as it is natural and can end at any time. It does not involve medical

procedures, drugs, and perfect conditions you must achieve.

It is simply calming your mind and adapting it to how you want it to work. However, some may be terrif ied of false impressions of “going under” and possibly losing control of your mind and emotions. Regardless of the public stance, hypnosis is a fascinating form of psychological therapy that has many practical uses that many might find helpful if one is willing to look back and forth at a swinging watch or metronome!

However, hypnosis is not always effective for everyone. Len Milling, a professor of psychology at the University of Hartford, has stated that 20% of subjects do not show a large response, 20% do not respond much at all, and the other 50-60% of clients are somewhere in the middle. Children generally tend to be more affected by hypnosis than adults. The effectiveness of hypnosis largely depends on how deep you are in the proper state.

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Biopsychology: When Psychology and Biology Intertwine Author: Suhani Patel

Biopsychology, the study of the nervous system and how it affects human behavior, is one of the key fields that allow scientists to understand the reasons behind why humans function. Through ongoing research projects, psychologists in this f ield uncover information that enriches the understanding of human minds.

With the help of valuable data, companies can create better products and treatments for patients with varying physical and mental defects.

In the United States and Europe, biopsychology has been a signif icant f ield of study for

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Editors: Galiba Anjum and Ethan Liu

many years. Rene Descartes, a profound French philosopher of the early 1600s, was the f irst to explore and make substantial contributions to the f ield of biopsychology. He formed theories regarding the nervous system and how it relates to human ref lexes and motor behavior. Descartes was most famous for his creative approach known as “Cartesian,” or mindbody dualism— that the mind and body are entirely separate elements.

Biopsychology combines bioscience with the study of psychology. Biopsychologists have proved that animal behavior and biology are related, which can help them better understand why humans and animals behave in various ways. Recent advancements in biopsychology research investigated the role of cortisol and telomere length on maternal postpartum depression.

Even though maternal postpartum depressive symptoms are linked with child behavioral problems, the reason why they were correlated was initially misunderstood. To investigate

Artist: Aurora Chen

the connection, psychologists performed a study on 193 random mother-child pairs and observed child cortisol and telomere length as potential mediating factors. Their results proved no correlation between PDS and child behavior problems and thus no possibility of mediation.

The study instead revealed that lower cortisol and shorter telomere length forecasted more child-reported internalizing problems.

Communication is critical not only for researchers to communicate data findings with other lab facilities but also for clinical psychologists who must directly and concisely describe test results with patients.

Problem-solving skills are just as critical as communication skills. Successful psychologists must have alternative strategies available for emergencies, and they must be able to implement them quickly. A career in biopsychology usually requires up to 10 years of formal education beyond high school. While a master’s degree is an optional element, a doctoral degree is needed for most employment

in this f ield. When applying to graduate schools, it is better to have an undergraduate degree in psychology. It is also very benef icial to complete internships during your training as a biopsychologist. On average, it takes eight years to complete a Ph.D. Studying biopsychology is a research-intensive process in an experimental laboratory setting, assessing the biological and chemical variables underlying behavior and personality disorders. Lastly, after completing a Postdoctoral Placement, f ind a position and pursue tenure. Tenure gives you the closest mock experience of what it would be like working in a specif ic biopsychology branch. The average salary of a biopsychologist in the US is $88,982.

The way humans act, think, remember, and feel are all threads weaved together to form the larger fabric of biopsychology. Researchers have taken advantage of this point of view to gain a greater understanding of how exactly the nervous system inf luences human actions. Research and clinical biopsychologists both have signif icant responsibilities and incredible opportunities in their respective categories. By creating experiments that test the function and limitations of the brain and how it detects inf luence, behaviors, feelings, and thoughts, biopsychologists can f ind clever solutions to psychological problems that will further enhance our knowledge of humankind.

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MEDICINE AND PSYCHOLOGY

The Ethical Impacts of Organ Transplants Author: Dalin Try

There have been numerous attempts to transplant organs over the centuries; however, it wasn’t until 1954 when Dr. Joseph E. Murray in Massachusetts performed the f irst successful kidney transplant. Many factors need to be accounted for before a transplant, such as the type of organ needed and the history of the organ donor, to avoid any complications that could occur.

Breakthroughs in this field have saved millions of lives. However, with these advances come many ethical issues that are debated

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Editors: Vincent Chang and Peggy Yang

among the public.

Black markets of organ donations have emerged to meet the increasing demand for transplants. Some organ donations occur with deceased donors that had consented to donate when they were alive. However, it could take several years for patients who need a specif ic organ before they can go through with the organ transplant. Many families are also unable to afford the high cost of organ transplants. Thus, they will seek

Artist: Serena Yung

less expensive sources, such as organs provided by illegal organ traff ickers. Organ traff icking, often occurring in developing countries, is done by coaxing victims desperate for money to donate or through coercion and kidnapping. Thus, these underground schemes raise many moral issues as many innocent lives are sacrif iced to save others’ lives. Some organ donations also happen when the donor’s family decides to take a donor off life support, choosing to donate the organs to save another life.

Even though organ donors willingly donate their organs to save others’ lives after they pass away, there are still many implications for patients. For example, an organ transplant might fail when the patient’s body rejects the organ due to complications. This leads to emotional stress for both the family and patient; the patient might feel like it is their fault that it happened when it is not something they can control.

To conclude, organ transplants and donations may save lives but also brings in many ethical implications to donors and patients. Because of the ongoing exploitation of the vulnerable to obtain organs, it is crucial to be aware of the ethical implications that lie behind organ transplants.

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MEDICINE AND PSYCHOLOGY

Are You Doing Enough To Prevent Skin Cancer?

Author: Belinda Lin

Editors: Ken Saito and Peggy Yang

Artist: Doris Tan

Have you ever seen a mole on skin change color? This event may be a sign of melanoma, one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer. Skin cancer is a common type of cancer, affecting people all around the world. When human skin is overexposed to UV radiation, the DNA within the skin alters and can cause skin cells to grow out of control. Each hour, two people in the United States die from skin cancer.

moles, while 70 to 80 percent of melanomas occur in people with normal skin.

Many risk factors of this deadly skin disease include tanning, sunburns, having atypical moles, receiving too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and being photosensitive. The chances of getting melanoma also depends on genes. Having less pigment in your skin means you are more prone to UV radiations and potentially developing melanoma. One study in the UK found that about 86 percent of melanomas is caused by UV radiation

exposure from the sun. A few ways to decrease your skin cancer risk include the use of sunscreen, preferably with an SPF of 30 or up, seeking shade, using protective window f ilms, eating healthy, and getting skin examinations.

disease than women of the same age group. Many studies show that melanoma is more common in men than in women. A study presented a 42 percent increase in the number of male melanoma cases compared to female cases this year.

In the future, the number of melanoma cases is expected to increase by 5.8 percent, and deaths from melanoma are going to increase by 4.8 percent.

During the last decade, the number of melanoma cases rose 44 percent each year. In ages between 15 to 39, men are 55 percent more likely to die of this

In many of these cases, there are simple ways to prevent skin cancer. There are many alternatives to typical outdoor tanning like indoor tanning, tanning towels, or spray tans.

Although it may not sound nearly as fun, it lowers your exposure to dangerous skincancer causing radiation.

Melanoma is a far deadlier

variation of skin cancer. Since melanoma can spread to other parts of the body, it can become a dangerous threat the longer it is left untreated. Symptoms of melanoma include dark brownish spots, small lesions with irregular borders, and portions that appear red, pink, white, blue, or blue-black.

Changes in moles’ shapes, size, or color may also be an indicator of melanoma. Only 20 to 30 percent of melanomas occur in people who have had 60

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Astronomy Astrobiology: Life on Earth and Beyond

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The Biggest Battle Between Bones and Space: Microgravity

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Sit Up Straight to Debunk Posture Myths

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Asian Spine Journal- “The Effect of Standing and Different Sitting Positions on Lumbar Lordosis: Radiographic Study of 30 Healthy Volunteers”

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The Space Pacman of White and Black Holes

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Chemistry, Physics, and Technology How Small Can Science get?

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Scar States: Particles Lost in the Woods

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Your Secret (Toasted) Key to Kitchen Success: The Maillard Reaction

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SCIENCEHOLIC SPRING EDITION 2021

Environment Air Pollution is the New Tobacco.

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The Poisonous Venom of Wildfires

Sengupta, Somini, and Nadja Popovich. “Wildfire Smoke Is Poisoning California’s Kids. Some Pay a Higher Price.” The New York Times, 29 Nov. 2020, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/26/climate/california-smoke-childrenhealth.html?campaign_id=54&emc=edit_clim_20201202&instance_id=24647&nl=climatefwd%3A®i_id=141383628&segment_id=45885&te=1&user_id=d996d146de93335d11ca0f521f112b5b.

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Reducing Oceanic Noise Pollution: Can We Turn Down the Volume for Marine Life?

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Health Green Tea and…..Breast Cancer? They’re More Related Than You Think

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Why Do We Feel Pain?

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Your Sleep Schedule Is Begging for You to Read This

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You Snooze Your Clock, But Your Body Doesn’t

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Medicine and Psychology

The Science Behind Hypnosis Flaxington, Beverly D. “The Healing Practice of Self-Hypnosis.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 21 Oct. 2019, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understand-other-people/201910/the-healingpractice-self-hypnosis.

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Biopsychology: When Psychology and Biology Intertwine

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The Ethical Impacts of Organ Transplants

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McKirdy, Euan. Delhi Hospital Kidney Scam: RINGLEADER NABBED. 9 June 2016, edition.cnn.com/2016/06/09/asia/india-delhi-hospital-kidney-racket/index.html.

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Are You Doing Enough To Prevent Skin Cancer?

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2021 Spring Edition Editing Committee: Vincent Chang, Scarlett Chu, Joyce Hai, Katelyn Ma, Ken Saito, Kira Tian

Cynthia Zhang, and Molly Zhao Cover Pages: Tiffany Chen

Co-founder Notes and Table of Content Art: Kimberly Ariton Donation and Join Us Art: Tiffany Gao Ambassador Program Art: Daelah Nicholas Magazine Formatter: Fengtao Ren

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