mRNA: History and Significance Posted on March 28th, 2021 Written by Bala Mazimdar and Balpreet Badhesha mRNA is very critical, and equally critical to DNA. Its main purpose is to give instructions to the cells to produce proteins. These proteins that are produced most often are used to either treat or prevent diseases. mRNA, especially in a medical setting, sends very important instructions to the cells to make proteins and other essential products that ultimately…

Epigenetics: History and Importance Posted on March 28th, 2021 Written by Nirupama Niranjan Epigenetics is the study of how behavior and environment can change the way genes work. There are different kinds of epigenetic changes: DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA.   Epigenetics can change with age, with growth and development-- different cells in the body can change with age. Not all epigenetic changes are irreversible, for example: a smoker who quits smoking’s cells may…

Molecular Biology: Antibodies and the Immune Response Posted on March 28th, 2021 Written by Michael Lu and Kashika Sharma Over this past year, the pandemic has transformed into a part of our daily lives. Whether we are reading the news about the latest vaccine updates or practicing safety guidelines in public, everything comes back to the pandemic. One of the common words people have encountered since is antibodies. Why is it so commonly seen? First,…

Black History Month: Kizzmekia Corbett and the Covid-19 Vaccine Posted on March 6th, 2021 Written by Kashika Sharma As many of you already know, February is Black History Month—a time for not only remembering and honoring important events, activists, and achievements, but also for recognizing and uplifting present-day examples of black excellence. One such example that is especially in today’s world is Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett’s contribution to the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. Dr. Corbett is a…

Black History Month: Honoring Dr. Berry Posted on March 6th, 2021 Written by Michael Lu, Kashika Sharma, and Bala Mazimdar From Michael Lu and Kashika Sharma:To honor the celebration of Black History Month, we’ll take a look at Leonidas Harris Berry MD, a black scientist with significant influence on science. Break the Outbreak being a science-based organization is appreciative of people like Doctor Berry and all the others who have contributed so much to the…

I-MASK+: An effective preventative treatment to COVID Posted on February 22nd, 2021 Written by Esha Iftikhar, Michael Lu, & Kashika Sharma I-MASK is a cheap and efficient preventative measure the public can take to help protect their immune system against the COVID-19. This measure involves taking vitamins on the daily basis to help strengthen their immune system. Not only is this measure financially beneficial, but also is more efficient and gives people control over their…

A Teen Crisis Posted on October 14, 2020 Written by Esha Iftikhar & Kyla Ilkay The eeriness of the silent streets suffocates many and the emptiness makes one reach out to the ghost of something that was once there. The novel coronavirus has transformed millions of lives through quarantine, including teens. Your teenage years may be the most integral part of your life and have the power to change your future greatly. They are the…

Demographics: How Does COVID-19 Affect Different Races and Economic Groups? Posted on October 14, 2020 Written by Ananya Kumar and Alex Paul A sure fact is that COVID-19 has impacted the lives of everyone this year. It is acknowledged that even if people haven’t contracted the disease, the relative consequences of the global pandemic are significant. However, looking at demographics, it is clear that certain groups have an increased risk of being affected by and/or…

Wearing a Mask Matters Now More Than Ever Posted on October 13, 2020 Written by Michael Lu and Kashika Sharma Although the Covid-19 pandemic continues to rage in the United States, many have been easing up on the restrictions and precautions that are meant to keep everyone safe. However, it is crucial to continue practicing good hygiene and safety measures to manage the crisis effectively. Arguably the most important safety measure the public can take,…

Responses to Covid-19 From Around the World Posted on September 16th, 2020 Written by Ananya Kumar & Alex Paul Beginning in March and continuing into current times, Covid-19 has been the prevailing worry for most of the world’s governments. Many governments have intervened by putting a stop to practices that were once considered normal and mundane. Arguably, a few of the biggest measures enforced are the practices of both social distancing and mask-wearing, along with…