Sickle cell disease (SCD) refers to a group of hereditary red blood cell disorders. The disease is caused by a mutation in the DNA sequence coding for the oxygen-carrying protein, haemoglobin. This leads to haemoglobin in red blood cells becoming misshapen, resulting in the “sickle” appearance of red blood cells in SCD patients. Symptoms of…
#BLM, Science
The dangerous lack of diversity in science and medicine textbooks
When asked to think of a biologist, chances are that many of us would name one of the many white men we’ve been taught about from a young age. Charles Darwin. Alexander Fleming. Louis Pasteur. Despite the ever-growing recognition in the media of the contributions of women and people of colour to science, it’s clear…
Global
Uproar as Trump suggests injecting disinfectant as treatment for Covid -19
During a White House coronavirus briefing, President Trump was presented with government-led research which indicated that the deadly coronavirus was weakened when confronted with intense sunlight, heat and disinfectant. The US President had asked William Bryan, Head of Science and Technology for DHS, to study UV light’s effect on coronavirus. Trump supposed that if the…
Science
The student guinea pig
We all understand the stress of thousands of pounds of student debt looming over us (sorry to remind you of that), but just how far would you go to pay off the money you owe? Some students are going to extents that may be considered extreme. In order to be paid sums of up to…
Creative Writing
I Voted for Jeremy Corbyn
I voted for Jeremy Corbyn And my friends did too And that’s why we’re all Better people than you I’m Ed, I’m a vegetarian Unlike my mum and dad And the treatment of animals Drives me cow mad And I sign a petition Sipping milk from a cup And stand and tighten my leather belt…
Fashion
Face masks: are they worth the fuss?
Face masks, for me, have always been a sociable skin treatment option. I wash my face every morning and night with whatever sensitive face wash was last on offer in Boots. I make sure to cleanse after with some facial toner. And, when my face is feeling oilier than normal, I will sit over a…
Global
Canada becomes second country to legalise cannabis use
Canada became the latest country to legalise the use of recreational cannabis, with the first legal purchase occurring on 17 October in Newfoundland. Medical cannabis use has been both legal and heavily regulated in Canada since 2001, but the Trudeau administration introduced the Cannabis Act to take control of the drug from criminal industry and…
Science
Continuity of care saves lives
A recent paper published in the BMJ collated data from 22 studies and found that contact with the same doctor reduced mortality rates. Of the 22 studies, 18 found a statistically significant reduction in mortality with an increase in continuity of care (repeated contact between a patient and a particular doctor). Whilst all four studies…
Features
Why doesn’t Britain care about mental health?
On the 11th January, David Cameron announced his £1bn increase in spending on mental health services across the UK. At first glance, this would seem like a step forward for the Conservative party. However, the fact that Cameron has suddenly decided to push this increase in expenditure in everyone’s faces could be seen as a…
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