Biochemistry

One of the most extensively used insecticides is imidacloprid, which functions by inhibiting the central nervous system in insects. That mechanism is indiscriminate, so while it harms pest species, it also harms other biota. Current research indicates that imidacloprid is infiltrating freshwater systems as a result of agricultural runoff, adversely affecting both the aquatic environment and persisting into human drinking water. This review will provide an overview of the extent to which imidacloprid pollutes freshwater systems and discuss the efficacy and viability of two sustainable methods of removing it: plant and bacterial remediation.

The plant molecule Abrus agglutinin (AGG) is a promising anti-tumor molecule that has been shown to increase pro-apoptotic—or pro-death—biomolecules and decrease proliferative ones in multiple different cancer cell lines. Another main benefit to AGG in potential cancer treatment is its selectiveness. In mice, AGG did not show any toxic side effects at 1mg/kg and below, and at this dose, AGG still successfully targeted cancerous cells without harming normal cells. This review confirms the potential of AGG as a chemotherapeutic agent through intracellular and extracellular methods and selective cytotoxicity.

Over 100 million hatchery fish, in the US alone, are used to compensate for dwindling wild salmon populations. However, hatchery-rearing techniques result in physical abnormalities such as abnormal mineralogy of otoliths, which aid in fish balance, orientation and hearing. This review will assess the proposed causes of such conditions and discuss their impacts on hatchery salmonid health and salmonid research.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common disorders diagnosed in women. It is characterized by menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and infertility. A solidified reason as to why so many women develop PCOS has not yet been identified, but research suggests a significant connection with Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). This review will examine the relationship between PCOS onset and bodily concentrations of one EDC: Bisphenol A.

The beauty industry has witnessed a growing concern regarding the environmental impact of conventional nail polish formulations, particularly, those containing fossil fuel-based polymers and harmful chemicals. The search for eco-friendly alternatives has led to the exploration of bio-based polymers derived from natural resources, such as plant oils, plant starches, and bio-based monomers. This review focuses on six bio-based polymer alternatives that have shown promise in gel nail polish formulations.

Humanity has always been intrigued with the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the universe. In 1977, NASA attached the Golden Record, a detailed account of humanity and Earth, onto the Voyager 1 and 2 space probes [1]. They intended for the records to be a way to share human knowledge with intelligent life forms that may stumble upon the space probes in interstellar ...

In December of 2016, Walters, et al. released a scientific article detailing the discovery of mRNA that were capped by nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD). Typically, mRNA are capped at the 5’ end by an adenine triphosphate (ATP) molecule, which provides a signal to RNA polymerase II that allows for the initiation of transcription. When studying the mRNAs of ...