Lions Talk Science

Blog written by the graduate students at PSU College of Medicine to increase the community’s enthusiasm for science and overall science literacy

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

- A new drug to regenerate teeth, the first of its kind, begins human trials this year

#Health #Dental #Teeth #OralHygine #TissueRegeneration #BoneRegeneration #BiomedicalEngineering #BiomedicalSciences #PennState #PennStateCOM

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

Seeing the tooth fairy in our adult years may no longer be as dreaded as we once thought! Tooth regeneration may be just around the corner, as described in Zoe Katz's article, "Want to grow a tooth? A new therapeutic to regenerate teeth is among us!"

🔗https://t.co/pH7tqtVO4B

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

TL;DR
- Defects in tooth growth can be present at birth (congenital agenesis); loss of permanent teeth can occur throughout life due to a variety of causes
- Current treatments do not restore original tooth function

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

- Science policy guides lawmaking to align scientific advances with the public’s ethical, economic, and social needs.
#Science #Policy #Government #PennStateCOM #ScienceCommunication

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

🔗https://t.co/t6lgeOvBi0

TL;DR
- Science policy is a career path that merges scientific knowledge and policymaking.
- Occupations in science policy are rooted in government, nonprofits, and industry.

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

Are science and government policy destined to be separate entities? Zari McCullers's article "Empowering Communities Through Just Energy Transitions: A simulation of Energy Science Policy Advocacy" explains how these two can even become your step in your career!

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

TL;DR
- Music as a sleep aid is being evaluated for overall efficacy.
- Music can improve sleep quality and increase time spent asleep in adults with and without insomnia.
#Sleep #Music #BiomedicalSciences #Anatomy #Insomnia #PennState #PennStateCOM

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

Could falling asleep to your favorite podcast help with getting better sleep? Learn all about the effects of music on sleep in Anthony Rahawi's article "A Lullaby DOES Lead to a Good Night: The Effects of Music on Sleep in Adults!"

🔗https://t.co/chHMudDqx6

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

TL;DR
- The supplement industry is unregulated
- Supplements can be misbranded, adulterated, or ineffective
- Red flags: testimonials, cure-alls, lack of evidence, ambiguous promises, and the “all-natural” label #Supplements #Vitamins #PennState #PennStateCOM #Medicine

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

There seems to be a supplement for everything these days, so how can we be better consumers and avoid some potential fraudulent science? Read Christina Rohmer McAninch's article: "Buying Supplements: 5 Red Flags to Never Ignore!"

🔗https://t.co/xl4MLasp5Q

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

- High-acidity foods can be processed using water bath canning, while low-acidity foods require pressure canning
- Improper canning can result in botulism food poisoning
#canning #food #preserves #cooking #PennState #PennStateCOM #BiomedicalSciencs

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

Abbey Rebok writes about how you too can start safely preserving your excess produce through the reliable practice of canning! Read more in her article, "Canning 101: The Revival of Home-based Food Preservation!"

🔗https://t.co/RtMinwuxqh

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

TL;DR
- Canning reached its peak during World War II and began to decline due to refrigeration
- Home-based canning increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

(2/2) TL:DR

-Chiari malformation (CM) is a structural defect in the brain that causes severe headaches and other neurological symptoms
-Treatment for CM depends on the type, but most often involves surgery

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

(1/2) Have you ever heard of a Chiari malformation? Learn more in Coryn Hoffman’s article “Under Pressure: The Diary of a Chiari Malformation”

🔗 https://t.co/iScPsK2zwD

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

- Space radiation can induce brain or cardiovascular diseases that mimic aging
- NASA twin study reveals acute and long-term effects from space on human health
#NASA #Space #SpaceTravel #Aging #BiomedicalSciences #PennState #PennStateCOM #LTS #Astronauts

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

Can space travel be the latest solution to getting rid of those pesky wrinkles? Jokes aside, fascinating science has been performed to understand how space travel can affect aging! Read more about it in Alex Pham's article, "Space Travel: The Newest Anti-Aging Trend! Or Is It??"

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

🔗https://t.co/lgMgcQvuKB

TL;DR
- Astronauts in space are younger than humans on Earth due to time dilation
- Ionized space radiation from the Sun or supernovas can cause DNA and/or mitochondrial damage to cells and lead to cell death, cellular senescence, and tissue damage

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

- In AA, a form of testosterone causes sensitive hair follicles to spend less time in the growth phase. This causes the hair to thin and baldness to occur.

#hair #malebaldness #bald #dermatology #hairloss #PennState #PennStateCOM #BiomedicalSciences

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

Worried about that pesky receding hairline? Worry not! Sarah G Latario writes in this week's article on how male pattern hair loss is a part of healthy aging!

🔗https://t.co/gO8ZxvjPBk

[Lions Talk Science @ScienceLions]

TL;DR
- Male pattern balding (androgenetic alopecia, AA) is the progressive loss of hair along the temples and crown of the head.
- Hair growth occurs in 4 phases with hair loss being seen when each hair spends less time in the growth phase.