Just me, thinking out loud.
No, ALAN isn't a shadowy figure from a spy thriller or that guy from the internet memes. ALAN stands for Artificial Light at Night, and its quietly wreaking havoc on our world in ways we're only starting to understand. It might not have the flair of a blockbuster villain, but ALAN's impact is as real as it is far-reaching.
You're at a doctor's office for a routine health check. They ask you to hop on a treadmill for a stress test. As the belt starts moving, you feel your heart racing, your breathing quickening, and your body tapping into its reserves: those carbs from your breakfast toast, a bit of fat from last night's burger, all being burned to keep you going....
It started like many medical mysteries: a patient with a persistent fever, shortness of breath, and no clear cause. In this case, the patient, a 30-year-old pregnant woman from Shandong Province, China, sought answers as her symptoms worsened. Standard tests found nothing unusual, but high-throughput sequencing revealed a shocking culprit: ...
As scientists, I'm sure we've all been there: You're presenting your research at a high-level conference, and all the big names in your field are in the audience. Even if your talk goes off without a hitch, you can't help but dread the question time. There's always that one person who raises their hand and starts with, "This is...
Becoming a postdoctoral fellow marks a pivotal juncture in any academic career. This stage is not just a rite of passage after years of PhD research; it's also a critical stepping stone towards a career in academia.
Thinking of doing a Postdoc? Congratulations - embarking on a postdoctoral fellowship is a significant milestone in the academic journey, offering profound opportunities for growth, collaboration, and specialisation. However, this period also comes with its own set of challenges. Drawing from some personal experiences and insights, here are seven...
Academia, a realm of relentless pursuit and groundbreaking discoveries, is hiding a silent crisis - one of personal identity and career uncertainty, affecting many researchers worldwide.
Ever since I was a little girl watching David Attenborough bring the world's mysteries into our living room, I was hooked. The idea that one could spend their life exploring and sharing the wonders of the natural world seemed like the best job ever. Inspired, I chased a degree in Zoology, buzzing with dreams of my own wild escapades. But...
Imagine a world where the latest scientific breakthroughs leap from the pages of academic journals to spark lively discussions at coffee shops, light up online forums, and animate dinner conversations worldwide. To some researchers, this might seem like a distant dream, yet this dream can become reality through the magic of science communication.
In an era where social media reigns supreme and clicks are a currency, science too finds itself at the crossroads of sensationalism. One can hardly open a news app without encountering explosive headlines about a new miracle drug for weight loss or scientists sending fossils to space. While it is easy to point fingers at the media for over-selling...