Category: breakthrough

breakthrough, research, Uncategorized, writing

Shaping Regeneration Through Host-Microbiome Interactions: Mediating Planarian Regeneration with Bacterial Metabolites

We’ve all heard of the microbiomes living in our gut: the collection of microbes (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses) that are involved in controlling the digestive and immune systems in the human body. Recent focus has been directed towards characterizing these microbiomes and discovering what role a dysregulated microbiome has in disease. But what about the microbiomes of other organisms?  Dr. Benjamin Wolfe is a professor … Continue reading Shaping Regeneration Through Host-Microbiome Interactions: Mediating Planarian Regeneration with Bacterial Metabolites

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breakthrough, writing

Social Media Addiction: An Epidemic

When you think about the word addiction, you might think of drugs, narcotics, alcohol, or even opioids. But what about overuse of social media? Would words such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat come to mind? Probably not. Historically, the overuse of social media was not considered an addiction; however, in just the last decade, the pattern of use and effects of social media have become … Continue reading Social Media Addiction: An Epidemic

Eliana Rosenzweig1 Comment
breakthrough, professors, research, writing

A Virtual Lab for a Greener World: The Fletcher School’s Climate Policy Lab

At the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, one of the most unique and innovative labs does not come with benches and specimens. Rather, this virtual lab for “international comparative policy analysis” draws upon worldwide climate policy research to offer advice to lawmakers and to help develop sustainable and environmentally-friendly policy.  The Climate Policy Lab, a ground-breaking research and policy center, is currently conducting research … Continue reading A Virtual Lab for a Greener World: The Fletcher School’s Climate Policy Lab

jessicacarter2022Leave a comment
breakthrough, professors, research, undergraduate research, writing

Homologous Recombination and Alternative End-Joining: The Zero-Sum Game Between Speed and Accuracy in DNA Repair

Controversies broke out last November over the Chinese researcher He Jiankui’s self-proclaimed creation of genetically engineered babies, recalling thedystopian prophecy of Gattaca (1997). Genetics has been a popular guest of both media front covers and sci-fi star for decades. But what is genetics research really like inside the laboratories? What is its potential, and where is it heading? Dr. Mitch McVey, a professor at the … Continue reading Homologous Recombination and Alternative End-Joining: The Zero-Sum Game Between Speed and Accuracy in DNA Repair

rebeccatangewsLeave a comment
breakthrough, professors, research, writing

Facing the Music: How Systems Like Spotify Know What We’ll Like

Have you ever wondered who is behind music streaming services like Spotify and Pandora, and how they are able to predict what kind of songs you will like? That’s exactly what Professor Nick Seaver, an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology, is interested in. As an anthropologist, Professor Seaver chooses to study the individual people who create and maintain the systems rather than the … Continue reading Facing the Music: How Systems Like Spotify Know What We’ll Like

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breakthrough, professors, research, writing

The Allen Discovery Center: An Interdisciplinary, Novel Approach to Research

What if we could stop cancer without chemotherapy? What if we could have a robot that moves around the bloodstream and scrapes plaque off artery walls, or a machine that learns to regenerate itself when damaged, just as an organism might? These may seem like far off concepts, but are just a few examples of probing questions addressed in the Allen Discovery Center. Dr. Levin, … Continue reading The Allen Discovery Center: An Interdisciplinary, Novel Approach to Research

melaniechienLeave a comment
breakthrough, events, professors, research, undergraduate research

Story Circles: A Platform for Social Change

Think of a time when you were watching a play and were captivated by the characters onstage. You weren’t questioning what you were seeing, simply enjoying the . A character reveals their true colors, and you see yourself in them. The overwhelming rush of emotion hits you in the chest. You gasp, thinking, “oh, now I understand what this has been about the whole time.” … Continue reading Story Circles: A Platform for Social Change

arpitajajooLeave a comment
breakthrough, professors, research

Child Development: Unraveling the Mystery with Dr. Mistry

When Dr. Jayanthi Mistry first began her career in child development research, people would tease that she would  be studying her entire life.  Yet, Jayanthi doesn’t mind — studying is something she loves. In fact, it’s precisely why she decided to become a professor. She is able  to learn and extend her education while simultaneously pursuing her own interests. According to Jayanthi, “when you become … Continue reading Child Development: Unraveling the Mystery with Dr. Mistry

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breakthrough, events, research, student groups

Speaker Series Recap: Fall 2017

Have you ever been curious about groundbreaking research at Tufts outside of your major, but did not know where to start? Breakthrough, the undergraduate research journal at Tufts, offers a means for students and faculty of different disciplines to connect. In addition to an online blog, Breakthrough hosts the Speaker Series, an initiative through which professors and graduate students can discuss their research and their … Continue reading Speaker Series Recap: Fall 2017

Jaanvi SantLeave a comment
breakthrough, research

Tufts Professor Receives a Boost from Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group

Regeneration of anatomy is foreign to humans, yet common in nature. When a caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly, it destroys its neural structure to form a new brain. A flatworm Planaria can be cut to 250 pieces, and every piece will regenerate the necessary body parts to become an independent organism. Its tail will regrow a head, while its head will regrow a tail. However, … Continue reading Tufts Professor Receives a Boost from Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group

Josh Lee (Curious_Lee)Leave a comment