CuriosiTEA Journal Club 

Student summary by Olivia Hwang Original Source: Kasha Patel, The Washington Post, July 2, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025/07/02/ancient-egyptian-dna-analysis-study/ Abstract Background: Scientists have only successfully sequenced partial genomes from a few ancient Egyptians due to poor DNA preservation. A full genome of an ancient Egyptian had never been sequenced before, leaving a gap in knowledge about ancient Egyptian history. Objective:

Student summary by Hayden Byun Original Source: Scientific American, Author: Michelle Carr, Editor: Mark Fischetti, December 17, 2024 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/engineering-lucid-dreams-could-improve-sleep-and-defuse-nightmares/ Image created by Hayden Byun Abstract Background: A lucid dream happens when a person is aware that they are dreaming, and with training, they may be able to control the content of their dreams. Millions of people are affected by in

Student summary by Olivia Liu Original Source:Published June 17, 2025 in Discover Magazine by Lehmann, J. Image created by Olivia Liu Abstract Background: Small animals live shorter lives because their genetics can’t protect them very well from cell damage. However, bats have the ability to live longer and to resist cancer using several strategies. Objective: Scientists want to create treatments for cancer in humans by researching bats. Method: Researchers investigated fib

Student summary by Audrey Kim Original Source: Evangelia Fragouli, Science and Space News, November 1, 2025 https://www.livescience.com/64901-time-fly-having-fun.html https://scienceandspacenews.com/2025/04/22/this-is-why-time-flies-when-youre-having-fun/ Image created by Audrey Kim Abstract Background: People have all had times when we are having so much fun, and those times seem to pass very quickly. Then there are times when we are really bored, when

Student summary by Audrey Kim Original Source: Isobel Whitcomb, Livescience, October 2, 2022 https://www.livescience.com/suppress-unwanted-thoughts Image created by Audrey Kim Abstract Background: As people live through their lives, they can experience sorrowful or disturbing situations. Those memories sometimes come back and remind them of that time, making them want to forget everything. Some

Student summary by Jayden Ahn Original Source: Ben Baker, Yahoo News, August 15, 2023. https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-shocking-discovery-provides-hope-113000690.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall Abstract Background: A vaquita, a 5-foot porpoise, is one of the smallest whales and the most endangered whale species in the world. In May 2022, researchers and scientists sought to understand why there wer

Student summary by Jayden Ahn Original Source: Evan Bush, NBC News, June 18, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/moths-fly-600-miles-particular-series-mountain-caves-scientists-think-rcna213703 Image created by Jayden Ahn Abstract Background: Recently, Bogong moths have been found to use the stars to navigate their journey. Researchers have said this was a first for insects and one of the few known cases of animals using stars to navigate to a destination. O

Student summary by Olivia Hwang Original Source: Rachel Nuwer, The New York Times, March 4th 2025 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/science/hummingbirds-living-in-a-hive-found-for-the-first-time.html Image created by Olivia Hwang Abstract Background: In the high mountains of Ecuador, ornithologist and birding guide Gustavo Canas-Valle discovered a cave containing a group of Chimborazo hillstar hummingbirds — a shocking sight, as humming

Student summary by Elizabeth Li Original Source: Erin Garcia De Jesús, Sciencenews, July 2nd, 2025 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bioplastic-algae-plastic-mars-space Image created by Elizabeth Li Abstract Background: Getting ahold of enough material to build and sustain a settlement on Mars would be nearly impossible. Even for humans to live there — or anywhere — without plants would be impossible. Mars has an atmosphere too thin to hold liquid water — about 100 times t

Student summary by Audrey Kim Original Source: Published August 10, 2022 in LiveScience Post By Patrick Pester Image created by Audrey Kim Abstract Background: There are five different species of sea turtles in Florida, including loggerhead turtles and green turtles. Scientists said that in recent years, almost all sea turtle hatchlings in Florida have been female. They began investigating the causes of this ph

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

Student summary by Hayden Byun Original Source:Published April 8, 2025 in Scientific American by BERNICE ANDREWS & CHRIS R. BREWIN EDITED BY DAISY YUHAS & MADHUSREE MUKERJEE Image created by Hayden Byun Abstract Background: Studies in the past have shown that human memory is imperfect. The idea of a “false memory” could be problematic in countless ways. In one experiment done in 1995, two psychologists misled 24 participants by asking them if they remembered a