Category: Weekly News Profile

Summer 2023 Weekly News Profile

Neuralink Gains First-In-Human Approval as BCIs Advance Rapidly

Kaylee Tseng May 30, 2023

Elon Musk’s Neuralink has received FDA approval for first-in-human studies of their brain-computer interface implant. This approval comes after multiple controversies surrounding their preclinical treatment of animal subjects. BCI technology has several concerns, including invasive surgeries, adverse effects, and implant obsolescence. While the general public will not have access to BCIs for enhancement any time soon, it is crucial to consider the impact and regulation of this technology for patients that it could greatly benefit.

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Summer 2023 Weekly News Profile

The Implications of a Social Media Ban in Montana 

Jackie Finnemeyer May 22, 2023

Montana made headlines on Wednesday for being the first state in the nation to ban the social media app, TikTok. U.S. officials claim the application is a national security concern, while critics call the ban a violation of the First Amendment. Challenges to the new law may take place before it goes into effect in January, but its ability to gather enough support to pass could point to a new precedent being set.

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Spring 2023 Weekly News Profile

The Influence of Climate Change on the Pros and Cons of California’s Wet Season

Jennah Saqib April 25, 2023

Already in 2023 California has experienced extreme rainfall that has significantly reduced the drought conditions in the state. This wet winter has also led to superblooms, a phenomenon in which wildflowers are able to cover vast fields due to the ground retaining moisture from the excessive rainfall. However, this level of rainfall has also led to extensive damage and flooding, and even the beautiful wildflowers pose an increased risk of wildfires once they dry out. Both these benefits and long term issues can be traced back to climate change, with the warming of the planet leading to a significant increase in the risk of a California megaflood.

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Spring 2023 Weekly News Profile

Abortion Pill Rulings Leave the FDA in Political Crossfire

Kaylee Tseng April 17, 2023

This month, FDA approval of mifepristone, a key drug used for medication abortion, has been the subject of several federal rulings. Representatives of the FDA and private drug companies have spoken out against the motion to overrule FDA approval, citing extensive safety data. Depending on the decision from the Supreme Court, these rulings could set a new precedent allowing federal courts to overturn FDA approval.

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Spring 2023 Weekly News Profile

Engineering Alternatives to Fast Fashion

Sabrina Sy April 3, 2023

In a world of fleeting trends and viral fashion sensations, companies and consumers alike have contributed to massive textile waste that has created irreparable environmental damage. Engineers have been working to combat these issues, but as new and innovative solutions are being developed, the question still remains: how can we balance affordability and ethical consumption in the pursuit of the next big fashion trend?

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Spring 2023 Weekly News Profile

The Importance of Inclusivity in Medicine in the Case of Maternal Mortality

Jennah Saqib March 27, 2023

Despite advancements in medical technology over the past 30 years, an ethnic and racial disparity still exists in healthcare. In particular, maternal mortality rates show high regional dependencies, and in the United States, Black women are more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than white women. Engineering students are working on solutions to combat this problem and provide more support for mothers.

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Spring 2023 Weekly News Profile

Historic Bank Collapse May Have a Lasting Effect on the Tech Industry

Jackie Finnemeyer March 20, 2023

In just two days, the 16th largest bank in the United States collapsed. Following the bank’s failure, many tech startup CEOs and financial analysts have more questions than answers. As Washington disagrees over what caused the collapse, several technology startups are left wondering what place, if any, their companies have in the technology landscape of the future.

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Spring 2023 Weekly News Profile

Advancements in Superconductors: New Hopes or False Promises?

Kaylee Tseng March 15, 2023

A new publication in Nature reported the development of a near-ambient superconductor, a material without electrical resistance. Traditionally, materials only display superconductivity at low temperatures (-123 °C) or high pressure (>990,000 atm). The introduction of a superconductive material that operates at ambient temperatures and lower pressure could introduce faster and more energy-efficient technologies. However, a lack of rare resources and scrutiny of initial data may prevent this technology from reaching its full potential.

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Spring 2023 Weekly News Profile

Using A.I. to Detect Breast Cancer

Sabrina Sy March 7, 2023

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have begun to deliver breakthroughs in breast cancer screening and detection, especially for signs that doctors miss in their examinations. Nevertheless, the use of cancer detection technology still faces many obstacles before it can be used ubiquitously in healthcare.

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