Physics professor awarded for research, to establish pre-college STEM program

Physics professor awarded for research, to establish pre-college STEM program

BY SABRINA EDWARDS ’20

Physics professor Kerstin Nordstrom was recently awarded a Cottrell Scholar Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement to further her educational and lab-based goals, specifically her work on granular flows.

Cosmetics are full of unlabeled dangerous toxins

Cosmetics are full of unlabeled dangerous toxins

BY TESS REMICK ’21

While many college students rush to get ready in the morning, chances are the ingredients in their cosmetic products are the last thing on their minds — they’re concerned about putting it on their faces and making it to class on time. Paying attention to ingredient lists may seem like an unnecessary and tedious task, but ignoring it could have repercussions. Earlier this month, CNN reported that animal waste was one of the many toxins found in counterfeit makeup, or makeup produced to imitate brand name products.

Self-compassion is as important as self-care for finals stress relief

Self-compassion is as important as self-care for finals stress relief

BY TESS REMICK ’21

College students can easily feel anxious balancing school, work, friends and family while also trying to figure out the rest of their lives. For many, being on their own, maybe for the first time in their life, is difficult. Mix that with rigorous academic workloads and unhealthy sleeping habits and it can leave one’s mental health in a disastrous state. 

Judge rules that coffee should be labelled as a carcinogen

Judge rules that coffee should be labelled as a carcinogen

BY SABRINA EDWARDS ’20

In California, on March 28, Judge Elihu Berle ruled that coffee contains enough carcinogenic chemicals to merit labelling the drink itself as a carcinogen, much the way cigarettes are labelled. In the case, the judge ruled that the coffee retailer defendants, which included 7-Eleven and Starbucks, did not fully explain how the claimed health benefits of coffee outweighed the potential risks.

Flint, MI water crisis being addressed by federal spending by 2020

BY TESS REMICK ’21

On Feb. 25, 2015, Flint, Michigan resident Lee Anne Walters’ home’s water was tested for lead. The water’s lead content was almost seven times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s limit for lead in drinking water according to Michigan Radio.

Pacific Garbage Patch is larger than initially thought

Pacific Garbage Patch is larger than initially thought

BY CHEYENNE ELLIS ’21

A new study published in the Scientific Journal estimates that the total area of the so-called “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” is anywhere from four to 16 times as large as originally thought, according to The New York Times. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the world’s largest floating “junkyard” of trash, where plastics and other objects accumulate in mass quantities.

The national opioid epidemic spreads west, claiming lives in Pioneer Valley

The national opioid epidemic spreads west, claiming lives in Pioneer Valley

BY TESS REMICK ’21

The U.S. is facing the most lethal opioid crisis in its history. Between 2002 and 2016, the number of deadly overdoses related to heroin increased by 533 percent nationwide, according to CNN.

Women’s History Month: Dorothy Hansine Andersen (1901-1963)

Women’s History Month: Dorothy Hansine Andersen (1901-1963)

BY CHEYENNE ELLIS ’21

For National Women’s History Month, the Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections are showing an exhibit on female faculty in the sciences, from Lydia Shattuck, class of 1851, to Cornelia Clapp, class of 1871.

Dr. Dorothy Hansine Andersen (1901-1963), class of 1922, was an accomplished American pathologist, known for first recognizing cystic fibrosis as a disease and creating a test to help diagnose it.