Pulse is a student-made and student-run website, and we are passionate on sharing medical knowledge from our wider reading and independent research. Here, we deliver articles that cover the diverse world of healthcare - including explorations of medical science in the underlying biology and chemistry of various health conditions; researching the history and development of many modern treatments; and providing a deep dive into the past and present news surrounding the constantly evolving practise of healthcare.
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Since the development of medical sciences, our understanding of the human brain and its various functions has been constantly evolving. One of the first proposals for the purpose of the brain was by Aristotle in 335 BC, who claimed that it served to ventilate blood in the heart, which would otherwise overheat. Around two thousand years later, we recognise the brain as the seat of intelligence, memory, personality and emotion.
It is easy to assume that without connection to the rest of an organism's anatomy, brain cells do not possess any ‘inherent’ intelligence and therefore cannot ‘think’. However, scientists from UCL’s institute of Neurology and Australian biotechnology company Cortical Labs prove otherwise after creating DishBrain.
A relatively large segment of medical problems are caused by unnatural changes to the environmental pattern our bodies have evolved to exist in harmony with - a key example of which is our optimum levels of sleep being incompatible with our daily routines. This results in somewhat harmful alterations stemming from our lifestyles and regular activities that can cause negative long term impacts on our health, which we may view as mere minor discomforts in our lives.
Throughout our lives, many of us have heard the phrase, ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ or that, ‘Beauty is subjective,’ in relation to who and what we as individuals find attractive, as something unappealing to you can be perceived as the ideal by another person. As well as this, it is not just people we may see as beautiful, but various forms of art, natural landscapes, many genres of music and something as simple as the arrangement of flowers - the list is endless, and the feelings we have in response to beauty are intricate. Beauty beyond survival and reproduction is in fact, as a concept, a very human experience. Our complex psychology allows us to feel pleasure from simply allowing our senses to experience things which, from a perspective completely devoid of the meaning we give it, are really just shapes, colours and textures. And to further indulge in that feeling we have actively created art, since prehistoric times, such as the handprints on cave walls, or the small sculptures formed out of rocks and wood. Yet, why do we feel this way about certain features in the world and what exactly determines which of these we enjoy and which ones we dislike?
Dementia is an umbrella term describing neurological conditions and the loss of cognitive function as a result of damage to nerve cells and their connections in the brain. It primarily affects thinking, skills, memory and logical reasoning skills; causing symptoms like personality changes, forgetfulness, a lack of social awareness, language processing and planning. Anyone can develop dementia. Almost a million people in the UK alone suffer from this disease and the debilitating impact it has on their lives, and the lives of those around them. Due to its unpredictable nature and unclear causes, it was claimed to be a disease impossible to cure. In recent years, with research, it appears that there have been some breakthroughs indicating that drugs could be used to reduce the effects of this disease.
Taiwan’s healthcare system is widely regarded as one of the most efficient and effective in the world, often ranking at or near the top of global indices such as the CEOWORLD Health Care Index dominating the global medical stage. What makes this particularly impressive is that Taiwan achieves high quality care, universal access, and low costs simultaneously, a balance that many larger and wealthier nations struggle to maintain.
See above: Opioid poppy.
See above: Diagram of a transorbital lobotomy.
See above: Diagram of Galvani's Frog's Leg Experiment.
Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, which are protective layers that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by different types of pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and in rare cases fungi. Viral meningitis is usually mild and often resolves without treatment. Bacterial meningitis is far more serious and can become life threatening very quickly. One of the serious forms is Meningitis B, caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B, due to how rapidly it develops and the severity of its complications.
Cancer, simply defined, is the uncontrollable growth and spread of cells, as a result of genetic mutations resulting in abnormalities of DNA in cells. This often results in masses of cancerous cells forming tissues known as tumours, which can be particularly dangerous if they form in major organs and therefore impact their function, such as the lungs or brain. Any and every cell in the body could become cancerous, all cells are capable of accumulating mutations which could eventually result in disabling the genes which repair DNA or control cell growth. The only reason as to why not everyone is suffering from cancer is because of our body’s own immunosurveillance, which is where cells are killed by our own immune system’s T cells before they can progress, after being identified by B cells.
Hormones are essential in regulating our every bodily function, and we have over 50 different major types present in our systems. One of these hormones is aldosterone, and its role in the body is to control our blood pressure and volume.
High blood pressure or hypertension is often referred to as a “silent killer" by many physicians as it is known for not presenting any symptoms until significant damage is done. This condition affects over 30% of the world's population, according to the Pan American Health Organisation, and is a major risk factor for a variety of serious health issues such as heart failure, kidney disease, and vision loss. Given its widespread impact and insidious nature, understanding its origins is the crucial first step toward effective management.
HIV has been part of the world’s medical story for over forty years. Once a diagnosis filled with fear, it is now one that comes with treatment, prevention, and hope. Advances in research have turned a deadly virus into a condition that can be controlled, giving millions of people the chance to live full, healthy lives.
See above: Examples of nanoparticles and their shapes
Artificial intelligence is where computer systems are engineered to replicate the human thinking process. You may have heard of some examples, such as AI chess opponents. Artificial Intelligence holds a lot of potential in our society today, particularly in medicine; it’s likely to make large advances in the treatment of injuries and illnesses, particularly through improving diagnostic accuracy and personalising treatments, therefore increasing the quality of life for those who have been affected by them.
The human body is prepared to face all manner of injury and illnesses through a series of general first-line responses, followed by the more specialised and specific if required.
What is The 'Lizard Brain' And The 'Monkey Brain'?
By Siha Hoque
Movement After a Stroke
By Siha Hoque
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Pulse is a content writing student-led project focused on helping deliver informative and useful resources for aspiring medics and healthcare professionals. Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality content that elevates your knowledge of medical sciences and the constantly evolving practise of healthcare.
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