African American health matters
Hypertension – also known as high blood pressure – is a growing problem. Recent statistics indicate that 46 percent of American adults (or more than 100 million individuals) suffer from hypertension. In hypertension, the arteries become smaller and tighter. As a result, the heart has to work harder to push blood through a smaller space. If left untreated, hypertension causes physical damage to the arteries, heart and the rest of the body. It can ultimately lead to stroke or heart attack.
The genome and the blob
What is DNA and how does DNA work to make us who we are?
In recent years, DNA testing has become incredibly popular with the increase in accessibility thanks to kits like Ancestry.com and 23andMe. These kits sequence your DNA and promise to link you to your long-lost ancestors from across the globe.
Controlling your DNA to treat epilepsy
Imagine yourself at one of the coolest, wildest parties ever. I’m talking about one of those loud, crazy, intense parties where whatever could happen, does happen, and there’s just so much stimulation you could burst.
Now, imagine this same mind-blowing rager happening in your brain.
This stimuli overload is an example of what is happening in the brain of a person with epilepsy. In other words, “Someone with epilepsy has too much activity going on in their brain,” said Rebecca Hauser, a doctorate student in UAB’s Graduate Biomedical Sciences program.
To intervene or not to intervene
“Thirty-seven who saw murder did not call the police”
Though this statement may seem absurd now, this news made the front page of the New York Times on March 27, 1964. This incident led to a critical study, which showed this may have been caused because of something now commonly known as the Bystander Effect. The Bystander Effect is in simple terms diffusion of responsibility – a person is less likely to intervene in a situation if more people are present. The more people who witness a misdeed may feel that someone else will help the victim so they do not have to take up the responsibility to act in the situation.
Navigation to donation
Think about the last time you asked your friend for a favor. Depending on what you were asking for, you may have felt a bit awkward, and it may have been a hard ask. Now, imagine asking for not just a favor, but something bigger. Imagine asking your friend to donate you a kidney because you have kidney failure and cannot survive without dialysis or a transplant. It is a huge ask, but also a lifesaving gift.
