The widespread use of marijuana is prevalent and increasing. Half of Americans proclaim that they have tried the substance at least once while twelve percent have used it in the prior month (6 facts about marijuana). Recent research reveals that nearly six percent of all college students in the United States smokes at least once a day, meaning that the substance is “abused” by one in every seventeen students (marijuanause).

These statistics are still recorded despite strict regulations on the drug, as the United States Controlled Substances Act lists cannabis as a Schedule I drug, citing its “high potential for abuse and lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision” (FDA). This law deems any form of the substance illegal. Yet, alcohol and tobacco, two substances that can be attributed to hundreds of thousands of deaths in the United States and abroad annually, are completely legal. Approximately eighty-eight thousand Americans die each year from alcohol poisoning while more than four hundred thousand die from tobacco use (CDC). Conversely, cannabis itself is nontoxic and cannot directly cause an overdose or death. Other than slightly affecting the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory, marijuana has no long-term affects on the body. The correct use of marijuana can additionally offer medical benefits in those affected by a variety of disorders.

A certain use of medicinal marijuana alleviated the intense and dangerous symptoms of Dravet Syndrome in a toddler by the name of Charlotte Figi. Dravet Syndrome is a rare form of epilepsy that causes frequent and sudden seizures that cannot be controlled by medication. This treatment “decreased [Charlotte’s] seizures from three hundred a week to just one every several days” (21 Medical Benefits of Marijuana). Moreover, a highly regarded Harvard psychiatrist penned an open letter to the NFL’s commissioner “imploring him to actively support research into using cannabis to treat long-term head trauma” (The NFL Should Combat Concussions with Cannabis). He advocates employing the substance to lessen bruising in the brain and help protect it. In addition to these health benefits, cannabis and its derivatives can reduce the symptoms of chemotherapy and even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Several states have experimented with the legalization of recreational marijuana, namely Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and the Washington, D.C. In January 2014 alone, the sale of cannabis generated two million dollars in tax revenue in Colorado (CNN). The federal legalization would not only provide substantial amounts of tax revenue, but it would also establish an entire industry. This would contribute to the prosperity of the economy. Whether or not the national consensus supports the legalization of marijuana, it is undeniable that its use would be beneficial both medically and financially.

Stephen Wiltshire, a man diagnosed with Autism at the age of three, has often been referred to as “the Human Camera.” After being flown in a helicopter high above the streets of Manhattan, Stephen was able to draw the immensely detailed skyline across an eighteen-foot canvas purely from memory. These sketches are so detailed that he even includes the correct number of windows on each skyscraper. He has performed this astonishing trick eight times, drawing major cities from London to Hong Kong. (Wiltshire draws NYC for UBS). Similarly, paintings by Iris Halmshaw, a mute Autistic toddler, have been compared to those of Monet. (Iris Grace Halmshaw). These pieces sell for up to thousands of dollars. Although both of these individuals have serious mental disorders, they have remarkable abilities that are incongruous to their mental state. These two, along with many others, have been identified as savants. This condition is known as Savant syndrome. Those with this rare condition have been classified as geniuses in disciplines ranging from music to art to mathematics.

Although as many as one in ten autistic individuals have Savant syndrome, only half of recorded savants are autistic. According to Dr. Darold Treffert, the syndrome is caused when there is either damage to or dysfunction in the left hemisphere of the brain and still-available brain tissue rewires in the right hemisphere and improves right hemisphere functions (Where do Savant Skills Come From?). This explains the improved artistic abilities that savants are known to have, as the right brain is typically associated with creativity, art, and music. The fact that the elderly who experience dementia in left brain typically become more attracted to art reinforces this explanation.

However, these scientific theories have not yet explained the many types and abilities of savants. Some have particularly keen memory skills and have been recorded to memorize entire encyclopedias or phone books, while others have the ability calculate complex math problems in their heads. Although most are born with these extraordinary abilities, some acquire them after head injuries. Jason Padgett, a “self-described jock and partyer,” was attacked outside a bar and was left with a severe concussion coupled with PTSD. However, the incident, although traffic, gave him the ability to “see the world through the lens of geometry” and rendered him a mathematical genius (Brain Injury Turns Man into Math Genius). He claims to be able to visualize many mathematical and physical concepts, from pi to Hawking Radiation. He is an example of a mathematical savant. Yet, many savants have combinations of all these skills.

While adjusting to living in a confining dormitory like those of East Halls, new freshmen are forced to acclimate from a coddling and personal academic environment of high school to an unforgiving jungle that embodies that of college. Here, where one single assignment could mean the difference between an A and a C in the class, freshmen must swiftly muster the discipline to manage their time efficiently enough to study while simultaneously establish a brand new social life. This intimidating task only begets further distractions to detract from studies, piling on top of the temptations of attending sporting events, concerts, plays, and club recruitment events. Students must assimilate early enough to prevent this incessant cycle from snowballing beyond control, and the antidote can be realized through the maintenance of personal health.

Although it might seem negligible among the many things slopped across your plate, maintaining proper mental and physical health is absolutely crucial to a successful college career. Wellness serves as the foundation on which all aspects of college life are situated, from studying to socializing. A 2015 American College Health Association study reported that about forty four percent of students “felt tired, dragged out, or sleepy during the day,” while about twenty three percent reported “sleepiness during daytime activities as more than a little problem.” (ACHA 2015). Students tend to neglect sleep, sometimes to pull all-nighters and study, yet sleep deprivation has been correlated to lower GPAs “because sleep affects concentration, memory, and the ability to learn” (Campus Mind). Sleep additionally alleviates stress and even helps maintain a healthy diet, aiding the prevention of the infamous and dreaded freshman fifteen. Molly Kimball, a registered dietitian and sports nutritionist at the Oschner Clinic, cites eating as “a way to exert control for many freshmen when they feel little control in many areas of their lives” (Freshman 15 Means More than Weight Gain). In students’ free time, they often disregard exercise, as it is overshadowed by temptations to socialize or sleep. The aforementioned American College Health Association study concluded that about forty-seven percent of students satisfy the physical activity guidelines recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Beyond obvious reasons like maintaining body weight and cardiovascular health, regular exercise is shown to support emotional wellbeing by relieving stress. Physical activity also provides energy to power through a demanding schedule. Although these statistics all reinforce that personal health as essential to each student’s career, many still seem to neglect taking care of themselves.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day… We have all heard it a million times from our parents, teachers, coaches, magazines and even TV. But when you roll out of bed at 6:45 to make it to school by 7:30AM, breakfast is not the first thing on your mind, but should it be? Unfortunately and fortunately for some, the importance of breakfast is not just another food myth. Not only will a nourishing breakfast will keep you full, it will provide you with the health benefits that are necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating a nourishing meal in the morning provides you with energy, the ability to focus and concentrate better, an improved short-term memory, and even weight maintenance. AKA Everything that a student needs to be successful.

            Studies show in both adults and children that daily breakfast eaters tend to weigh less than breakfast skippers. According to CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, you should eat a big meal, around 300 to 500 calories, within an hour of waking up. People who skip breakfast are much hungrier by lunch and dinner, so they tend to compensate for these missing calories by snacking and eating before bed. Consequently, they consume many more calories than the recommended amount and gain weight. Those who habitually eat a nutritious meal in the morning are more likely to maintain their current weight and have an easier time losing weight if needed (Skip Breakfast, Lose Weight Not so Fast).

People who skip that all-important meal of the day are at a higher risk of developing diabetes or even experiencing a heart attack. A new study out of Harvard looked at the health records of nearly 27,000 men over a period of 16 years. It determined that men who skipped breakfast were 27% more likely to experience a heart attack or to perish as the result of coronary heart disease. Skipping breakfast is linked to coronary heart disease because it prolongs fasting, which is a stressful state for the body. Leah Cahill, the author of the study, explains that, “As we sleep through the night we are fasting, and so if we regularly do not ‘break fast’ in the morning, it puts a strain on our bodies that over time can lead to insulin resistance and blood pressure problems, factors of heart disease.” (Why is Skipping Breakfast so Bad for our Heart Health?)

While breakfast will not make you a super human who doesn’t need to study for exams or practice in the off-season, it is definitely the first step towards a healthier lifestyle. Clearly, the importance of breakfast is not just another food myth.

In a scene from the documentary Gasland, a man holds a lighter to water flowing out of the faucet of a sink in what appears to be his kitchen. After a few moments, the lighter’s flame bursts into a large blackish yellow cloud. For obvious reasons, a sign posted above the sink reads “Do Not Drink This Water.” It was no coincidence that the man’s home was located within close proximity to a hydraulic fracturing well, for a correlation between fracking and contaminated drinking water exists.

Hydraulic fracturing essentially “describes the recovery of natural gas from deep layers inside the Earth” (Kurzgesagt). To delve into specifics, the process is begun by locating an underground tight-rock formation typically composed of shale. Once the site is established, the layer is tapped by drilling several miles beneath the ground directly into the formation. From there, a horizontal hole is bore into the petroleum-bearing rock. The hole is injected at high pressures with fracking fluid, a cocktail of water, sand, and a myriad of chemicals. Up to five hundred ninety-six chemicals are often used at once to compress the water, kill off bacteria, or dissolve minerals. This mixture “fractures” the rock, producing innumerable fissures in the rock through which the oil and natural gas escape. The “trapped” petroleum is now free to be swiftly extracted. The well is fracked upwards of eighteen times until it is depleted, at which point the used fracking fluid is either reused, treated and released back into the environment, or pumped back into the ground and stored in injection wells.

However, because not all fracking fluid is recovered or disposed of correctly, the wastewater is liable of seeping up into the aquifer. Highly hazardous substances like benzene, formic acid, and boric acid could enter and contaminate our water supply. Exposure to many of these chemicals would be seriously detrimental to our health. A 2011 study in the journal, Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, generated a list of six hundred thirty-two known chemicals and analyzed their effects on human health. The article revealed that “seventy-five percent of the chemicals could affect [several] sensory organs, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal system” (Human and Ecological Risk Assessment). About half were shown to harm the nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems, and a full quarter were carcinogenic and mutagenic. As aforementioned, these toxins that inundate the water in our homes could become fuel, waiting to be unexpectedly ignited. We should not need to worry about our water harming our loved ones and ourselves.

As high school seniors culminate their secondary education by translating their tassels from one side of their caps to the other, their confidence soars to stratospheric heights. Parents, teachers, and friends alike reassure them that their limits exceed the sky—that they can do anything. This inflates their egos and equips them with the almost naïve hubris that they can manage and overcome all obstacles in their path. This causes them to underestimate the often overwhelming and drastic transition from high school to college. Students may lose themselves among the bombardment of schoolwork paired with the search for a new social life. Consequently, they seek ways to relieve their loads and often turn to “study drugs.” This term encompasses several substances that fall under the umbrella of amphetamines prescribed to treat attention deficit disorders, namely Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse, and Adderall. Many students across college campuses are prescribed these drugs, deeming them extremely accessible. Amphetamines “affect chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control” Adderall. This promotes the misconception that all individuals who take the drug will experience elevated focus and feel “smarter.” These beliefs are utterly false. Moreover, these drugs are associated with many legal troubles and serious health risks.

Despite the health benefits that amphetamines provide those with specific disorders, many health risks may result from the misuse of them. Students often take excessive doses that “can induce a rapid rise in dopamine in the brain” (National Institute on Drug Abuse). This increase in dopamine can result in restlessness and elation. These drugs can cause irritability, paranoia, hallucinations, and impulsive behavior while increasing both blood pressure and heart rate. Chronic abuse of the drugs can result in addiction accompanied by withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include fatigue, depression, and disturbed sleep patterns.

The United States Controlled Substances Act defines all of these aforementioned substances as Schedule II drugs. The possession or trafficking of amphetamines can result in serious legal penalties. The possession is typically treated as a misdemeanor, and a person convicted may face jail time and/or a fine in addition to this charge (Criminal Defense Lawyer). The court may require a person convicted to attend a program to treat abuse or addiction to the drug. Subsequent offenses can result in more jail time and higher fines. Convicted distribution of the drugs may be punishable “by prison terms of minimum of five years and up to 40 years with fines of up to $2 million” (ecstasy.com.ua). However, if the illegally distributed drugs are attributed to death or injury, “the penalties become imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years to more than life and a fine of $2 million”. Clearly, the benefits of illegally using the drugs or the few extra dollars from selling do not outweigh the potential punishments.

In the Jurassic Park movies dinosaurs are brought back to life and shown in some type of an amusement park.  Can this actually happen today?  Does the technology exist to even attempt at making this happen?  Imagine if Jurassic Park could be made into a real amusement park, if this could be made possible everyone would go pay to see real life dinosaurs.

Theoretically dinosaurs could be brought back to life if useable DNA was found and safely transported to a lab.  The major problem in cloning is finding DNA.  Dinosaurs went extinct about 65million years ago and its almost impossible to find DNA that old.  One of the only ways to find useable DNA is in mosquitos preserved in amber that were covered while having dinosaur blood inside of t
hem.(DNA)  Other then trying to find a useable mosquito, trying to separate the mosquito DNA from the dinosaur DNA is extremely difficult.  Also, dinosaur cells are needed to help with the cloning, a nucleus from a cell must be used in the cloning process and there are no dinosaur cells that have been found.

If dinosaurs cells and DNA was found they could be brought back to life.  Where would the dinosaurs be held or looked after?  Trying to find a place remote and big enough would be a monumental job to figure out.  Having dinosaurs being brought to life would probably be a really bad and expensive idea.  Overall even though I think it would be awesome cloning dinosaurs is not feasible or a good idea.

What’s up class, my name is Scott Katz and I’m from Long Island, New York.  I’m currently in DUS because I have no clue what I want to do with my life yet.  I have so many interest I can’t figure out what would make me the happiest.  The reason I took this class is mainly because it fill my GN requirement and it sounded extremely interesting when my advisor was explaining what the class consists of.  Also, I’ve seen Andrews ted talk before and loved the speech and thought it would be really cool to have the oppurtunity to learn from him. Honestly the main reason I’m not majoring in science is because all the biology and chemistry classes were given too early in the morning for me to wake up.  I need my sleep and waking up for a 8am class is hard for me.  Sleep deprivation is a big problem in America, if you want to see if you’re getting enough sleep click here.