Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
October 19, 2025 October 19, 2025 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

Science & Technology

Particle accelerator designed to fit in a chip

By JOEL PALLY | October 14, 2013

We may not realize it, but we live in a world with particle accelerators all around us. While, the most commonly well known accelerator, The Large Hadron Collider, which recently went operational, is capable of moving protons and even entire atomic nuclei at speeds approaching relativity, we’ve been doing the same thing with electrons without many of us realizing it. From Dental X-Rays, to Security Scanning Devices and Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI), atomic particles moving at the speed of light are being harnessed for a variety of practical tasks all around us not including research in physics and many other sciences dependent on imaging technologies.

Lonely gas giant is found floating starless

By SOPHIA GAUTHIER | October 14, 2013

If celestial bodies could embrace cultural titles, then the wandering planet named PSO-J318.5-22 would be the hipster of all hipsters. Recently discovered by a collaboration of astronomers working at the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the planet — which I will endearingly bestow the nickname, PJ — is perhaps the boldest example yet of Tolkien’s “Not all those who wander are lost.”

Medicine Nobel winners show vesicle bubbles in cells key for cargo transport

By CONNIE CHANG | October 14, 2013

On Oct. 7, the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman and Thomas C. Südhof for their work on transportation mechanisms within the cell. Together, their research highlighted how vesicles, which are bubbles in the cell that contain molecules essential to the organism, transport their cargo. Previously, researchers had been puzzled by how vesicles know where to go and at what time. Thus, the discoveries of Rothman, Schekman and Südhof are a major step in understanding cell communication.

Bioethics Corner: Regulating the import of food

By SAAD ANJUM | October 3, 2013

In an effort to promote the safety of imported food, the FDA proposed new regulations for importers this past July as part of implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) signed by President Obama in Jan. 2011. According to the FDA news release, the proposed regulations are a response to the modern global food system. The release also explains that imported food from 150 countries accounts for 15 percent of the United States food supply.  Foodborne diseases cause approximately 48 million (or one in six) Americans to get sick every year, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Airlines may allow use of mobile devices during lift-off

By SEAN YAMAKAWA | October 3, 2013

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you kept your electronic device on during takeoff or landing? It’s a hassle to have to turn our electronic devices off, but pilots and flight attendants are adamant about reducing electronic device activity during take off. With our increased dependence and closeness to MP3 players, texting, web surfing, and a myriad of other functionalities in mobile devices, these airline policies are wearing passengers’ patience thin.

Hope is found even in flat-lined EEG

By TONY WU | October 3, 2013

Most think of a coma as a state of limbo between life and death. The word “coma” conjures up an image of a seemingly lifeless patient, hooked up to a variety of monitoring devices. The most recognizable of these devices is the EEG. The EEG — or electroencephalogram — measures the brain activity of the patient.

Does dog food alleviate chemo side effects?

By MARU JAIME | October 3, 2013

In a world where so much has already been discovered, it is common for people to overlook the true potential of everyday chemicals. Similar to how Mustard Gas was used in World War I and then harnessed to become a potential chemotherapeutic agent, many everyday chemical substances possess great potential.

Functional mechanical gears found in insect

By ALBERT HUANG | September 27, 2013

As creative as our large human brains make us, the adaptive forces of nature often outsmart us. After all, it was these forces that pushed us to develop such meaty neo-cortices in the first place and made us the smartest species on earth.

Harvard creates matter, light sabers

By SOPHIA GAUTHIER | September 27, 2013

Until recently, the concept of squirrels dueling with light sabers was a complete work of science fiction and loopy Internet humor. However, now, a team of Harvard and MIT scientists are claiming to have created of a new form of matter — from light. They make an analogy between the newly created “photonic molecules” and a light saber. And they aren’t joking.

Scientists discover genetic basis for handedness

By MELISSA STALEY | September 27, 2013

The distribution of right handed and left handed people in the world seem to be random. Different family members can write with either hand, and there are a few of those who can switch between both hands. In most cases, it doesn’t seem to be a trained practice and it just comes naturally for each individual. However, recently, genes that are linked to the orientation of internal organs during embryogenesis were found to play a role in the development of handedness.

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