Harker School
The Musician’s Steroid: The Controversy Surrounding Beta Blockers
Imagine sitting in a concert hall listening to the melodious strains of a Brahms symphony. It only takes a single wrong note for the entire performance to quickly turn sour. The very fragility of performances places an incredible amount of pressure on musicians to constantly perform at their absolute best, and this pressure often causes [...]
The Ineffectiveness of Subliminal Advertising
The theater is dark. Specks of dust float visibly in the thin stream of light coming from the movie projector. The action flick projected on the screen seems reassuringly solid, the protagonist’s leap from the flaming car looks fluid and unbroken. But to James M. Vicary, a practicing psychologist and marketing researcher, the movie failed [...]
The Relevance of Chaos Theory to Medical Analysis
The term “chaos” typically engenders a sense of complete randomness or disorder, evoking turbulent images such as a traffic accident or a noisy birthday party. But there is another definition for this term that is not yet as well-known: a mathematical one. The premise of the chaotic system is such that it approaches “asymptotic conditions” [...]
Beyond Silicon: The Evolution of Biological Computing
In 1965, Gordon Moore predicted that processing power should double every eighteen months.1 Traditionally, this rapid growth has been achieved by shrinking distances between transistors and shortening the distance that information needs to pass through.1 However, the miniaturization of processors and transistors will soon reach a physical barrier.2 With this knowledge, researchers have begun searching [...]
Neuroplasticity: The Changing Brain
From memory and rationality to mood and mental stamina, the mind’s cognitive abilities are constantly being exercised. While the brain was previously considered immutable in its ability to make connections, the newest research highlights the phenomenon of neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to rewire itself even after reaching maturity.1 With this discovery, the adage [...]
The Trials of Schizophrenia
“It’s like a waking nightmare. You’re terrified, you’re confused… People were talking about me and laughing at me… I wasn’t supposed to speak, because speaking would spread my evil around. It was extremely painful.”1 Such was the agony that Yale graduate and accomplished author Elyn Saks faced throughout her life. The reason behind her suffering? [...]
Regenerative Medicine: A Peek into the Future
Regenerative medicine is a growing field that offers the potential to repair and replace damaged cells, tissues, and organs by using those that are specially grown. Thus, instead of merely providing treatments to heal damaged body parts, as with transplants, doctors would be able to treat the underlying cause of the disease. Scientists and researchers [...]
Carcinogens: Case Studies of FDA Foul-Ups
Most Americans consider the FDA an infallible guiding force for consumption-related information and decisions. Yet a closer examination of its “approved” lists may reveal the FDA’s dated and inaccurate notions of certain substances, especially known carcinogens, that are still found in everyday consumer goods like soft drinks, coffee, bread, and bottled water. Unfortunately, the FDA’s [...]
Social Aspects of Asperger Syndrome and Non-verbal Learning Disorder
Public awareness of autism is on the rise in today’s society. The general public is slowly becoming informed about the global presence of autism, a lifelong developmental disorder 1. But how much do we really know about autism? Those with a shallow understanding deem autistics to be unintelligent, but in reality autistic individuals suffer from [...]
Classification of Intelligence: Addressing the Misconceptions and Benefits
In our society today, “intelligence” is often referred to colloquially; few understand the cognitive complexities and nuances behind this commonly used term. By correcting misconceptions and encouraging a more thorough understanding of intelligence and its classifications, our society will be better equipped to fight cognitive disorders. The general population’s idea of intelligence is mostly related [...]
The “Fairer” Sex: Underrepresentation of Women in Clinical Trials
Even in the 21st century, women are consistently underrepresented in clinical trials involving drug therapy, medical devices, and behavioral interventions. Although various US federal agencies have made improvements to legislation regarding women’s participation in clinical trials over the past few decades, recent studies demonstrate that the underrepresentation of women remains a persistent problem that raises [...]
Life Extension: Moral and Ethical Ramifications
Ever since the dawn of mankind, humans have sought to conquer their mortality. Ultimately though, ancient quests for longevity, like the Spanish search for the Fountain of Youth, have yielded nothing. Recent advances in medicine and biology have finally made this timeless desire a possibility in the near future. Through techniques like caloric reduction and [...]
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