CuriosiTEA Journal Club 

Student Summary by Hayden Byun Original Source: Ivana Jaric et al., PLOS Biology, October 21, 2022 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9629646/#sec001 Image created by Hayden Byun Abstract Background: Scientists often use genetically similar mice to conduct experiments in order to reduce variation. It has been known that the phenotype, or observable traits, of a living thing is often made up of two factors: genotype (genetic makeup) and the environment that the organism

Student Summary by Audrey Kim Original Source: Jennifer Welsh — LiveScience, September 26, 2011https://www.livescience.com/16230-miracle-fruit-taste-sweet-sour.html Image created by Audrey Kim Abstract Background: The "miracle berry" is a fruit that can turn sour taste into sweet. It possesses a protein called miraculin, which changes the function of our tastebuds and attaches to the sweet-sensing receptors. The impact is strong, making sour lemons taste like an extra-sweet l

Genetic History of Dogs Student Summary by Emma SeoOriginal Source: Eliene Augenbraun, Scientific American, Jan 21, 2021https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/ancient-dogs-had-complex-genetic-histories/ Image created by Emma Seo Abstract Background: The first animals to be domesticated were dogs, and they thrived alongside humans throughout history as humans changed their lifestyles from hunting and gathering to farming to city living. Objective: Researchers wante

Student Summary by Audrey Kim Original Source: Charissa de Bekker, William C. Beckerson, and Carolyn Elya. Science Journal for Kids and Teens, November 2023 https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/zombie_article_lower_level.pdf; https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01872-21 Image created by Audrey Kim Abstract Background Just like all other living organisms, fungi want to spread their generations. In order to accomplish that task, they can chan

Student summary by Hayden Byun Original Source: Published November 28, 2024 in The Washington Post by Kasha Patel Abstract Background: Scientists believed that the special genes needed to make stem cells could only be found in animals. A researcher named Shinya Yamanaka first discovered how to reprogram cells using four genes. Until recently, it was assumed that these genes were only found in animals. Objective: The scientists wanted to achieve functional mouse stem cells