YSM Issue 96.4

TABLE OF
VOL. 96 ISSUE NO. 4
SPECIAL ISSUE
12
Rediscovering Cosmic Origins
David Gaetano
For centuries, the mysteries of our solar system’s origins have intrigued scientists and thinkers alike.
In a 1941 edition of the Yale Scientific Magazine, a Yale professor cast doubt on the major theories
of the time, without raising any of his own. New technology over the past decade, however, has
made these unanswerable questions now well-understood.
14 Is Alcohol Use Disorder In Our Genes?
Matthew Blair & Lea Papa
Over the last century, alcohol use disorder has been a unique case study of the ‘nature versus
nurture’ debate. Scientists have long argued about whether the condition is primarily caused by
the environment, or if it is inherited and can be attributed to our genes. Today, our understanding
reveals a more complex answer.
16 The Ticking Clock to Fight Ticks
Cindy Mei
Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that can have dangerous health effects if not detected early,
has been on the rise since 2000. Despite promising studies highlighting the potential of a Lyme
disease vaccine appearing over three decades ago, there is still no vaccine available today. Recently,
researchers have discovered a strategy to develop an “anti-tick” mRNA vaccine that may be able to
protect against not only Lyme disease, but also other tick-borne illnesses.
19 Revisiting The "Brilliant Future" of PFAS
Evelyn Jiang
Since the 1950s, PFAS—dubbed ‘forever chemicals’—seemed to have a brilliant future ahead, with
uses in various products like waterproof clothing, non-stick pans, and firefighting foam. However,
with more evidence suggesting that PFAS is toxic to our environment and bodies, PFAS serves as a
stark reminder of what can happen when scientific innovation goes unchecked.
22 Gene Therapy For Parkinson's Disease
Madeleine Popofsky & Risha Chakraborty
In 1992, YSM reported on a novel gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease, which has since failed. However,
decades later, two new approaches show promise in treating this neurodegenerative disease at its
genetic source. For patients, this could mean a better option than today’s most common treatment,
Levodopa, which loses effectiveness over time and with more advanced forms of the disease.
2 Yale Scientific Magazine December 2023 www.yalescientific.org