In early April 2019, findings from the NASA twin study, which was investigating the changes spaceflight brings onto the human body, were published in the peer-reviewed journal Science, paving the way for future long-term space travel. The study focused on a set of twins – Scott and Mark Kelly. Scott Kelly spent one year on the International Space Station (March 2015 – March 2016), while Mark stayed on Earth. By completing a longitudinal and multi-dimensional study of twins, researchers can observe two people with identical genetic backgrounds, and by only having one exposed to the extreme environment of space, it becomes easier to observe the effects of such environment by…
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The Science and Discovery Behind Man’s First Image of a Black Hole
For decades, scientists, astronomers and physicists let their imaginations play around with the topic of a black hole and the speculations about its existence. On April 10th, 2019, Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) researchers announced their success in capturing the first image of a supermassive black hole. The EHT is a global collaboration of 200 scientists and 8 of the largest radio telescopes created to retrieve visual evidence of black holes. “Scientists around the world coming together to explore the mystery of black holes and beyond is mind-blowing. It’s also astonishing to see Einstein’s theory come to life after all these years! This news has shaken up the world of science…
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Professor spotlight: Alicia Catalina Barrientos, Psychology
PBy utilizing the skills and life lessons she learned from her unique background, professor Alicia Catalina Barrientos carved out a path that allows her to pursue a Ph.D. in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, conduct research, and teach – all at Queens College. Barrientos’s research in Dr. Joshua Brumberg’s laboratory focuses different topics: the early development of mammals, the somatosensory cortex, and plasticity in the mammalian brain. Early development is especially interesting to her, as it is a sensitive period when an individual is making the first contacts with the environment through absorbing sensory information and incorporating it into their nervous system in a way that makes them better adapted to…
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The Dying Wish of a College Sex Educator
Maria Falzone is a famous comedian with over 30 years of experience in the United States and Europe, performing headlining shows and appearing on ABC, Showtime, and the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival. She is also known for her college sex education program called, “Sex Rules,” a show dedicated to teaching students about safe sex in a bright and hilarious way. Falzone left a great impact on students all across the country by visiting hundreds of campuses every year and continuing an important conversation about body image, self-esteem, STIs, and better communication about sex. During the show, Falzone shares her own story about an unfortunate incident contracting an…
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A Nationwide Attack on the Democratic Party – A Timeline of Events
During the week of Monday, Oct. 22, 2018 – Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, 13 pipe bombs were sent to famous members of the Democratic party and critics of President Donald Trump, as well as liberal donors, select media outlets and members of the Obama administration. Locations included residential and commercial areas of New York City, Los Angeles and Florida. The exact intent of sending out these bombs in envelopes is unclear; the devices – pipe bombs – might not have been made with the intent to explode, as indicated by the fact that they lacked the substance which would have triggered their explosive mechanisms. However, the message echoed…
