OxStu Science and Tech, Author at The Oxford Student

Psychedelics and psychiatry: using magic mushrooms to treat depression

12th June 20216th June 2021Helen Collins

Image description: psychedelic graffiti showing a bright mushroom and abstract colourful painting Meaning “mind-manifesting” in Ancient Greek, psychedelic drugs such as LSD, MDMA and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are well-known for their hallucinogenic and psychotropic effects. Despite their reputation as party drugs, scientists have been trying to harness their mind-bending properties to […]

Insect farming: new food on a global scale

5th June 20214th June 2021Mia Clement

Image description: a brown grasshopper. Large-scale insect breeding for human consumption is thought to represent a sustainable solution for growing food demand. With climate change, loss of biodiversity, and rising pressure on resources posing a threat to current food supply chains, new systems are needed to ‘future-proof’ meals and address food inequity. In order to […]

Vaccine patents: protecting profit at all costs

9th May 20212nd May 2021Nicole Hasler

Image description: several small vials labelled ” Coronavirus Vaccine” laid out in a row. Two weeks ago, the UK reached its second vaccination target, with just under 50% of the population having received their first dose. Although this news did not attract much attention – perhaps due to the warm temperatures and open pubs serving […]

COVID-19 vaccine equity: a global failure?

24th February 202124th February 2021Roseanna Allwood

Image description: a Hawaiian newspaper with the headline “Mass vaccinations begin” As vaccination proceeds apace in the UK and amongst high-income countries around the world, there are growing concerns over vaccine inequity in a global context. Countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas have begun vaccination campaigns, delivering more than 175 million doses since December […]

How the baby formula debate is harming food banks

20th February 202119th February 2021Marietta Kosma

Image description: a baby being fed from a bottle The view that formula milk is significantly inferior to breast milk, or worse, downright harmful for children’s health, has been causing a shortage of baby formula in food banks. This is an extremely alarming trend that puts the health of children in danger. It seems especially […]

What’s up with WhatsApp: update sparks privacy concerns

15th February 202114th February 2021Shiv Mandal

Image description: a graffiti painting of a laughing Mark Zuckerberg, accompanied by the caption “You’ve been Zucked” When WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook in February 2014, it led to a small exodus – rival messenger app Telegram claimed to see an increase of 8 million users. Ever since, Facebook has regularly inspired fear and concern […]

How rising screen times during COVID-19 affects children

7th February 20217th February 2021Marietta Kosma

Gone are the days when children used to spend their day out in the streets, exploring the outdoors. Now online education has children spending more time glued to the screen than ever. This is hugely problematic. Even prior to the pandemic, many scientists and parents expressed concerns about the negative implications of too much screen […]

The Promises and Perils of the Digital Yuan

30th January 202128th January 2021Anna Ashkinazi

The words “digital currency” typically conjure up associations of financial gambles, high volatility, and questionable practicality, all characteristic features of existing cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. However, with a new generation of cashless payment methods emerging in China, this might soon be set to change. After more than five years in development and a number of […]

What effect will Trump’s policies have on public health?

19th October 202024th October 2020Jonathan Yang

When Trump’s 2016 MAGA campaign promised to make America a global leader, we didn’t quite expect it to include its number of Covid-19 cases. Yet, here we are. The hot garbage that constitutes the White House’s pandemic management has so far resulted in 7.8 million confirmed cases and 217 thousand deaths, representing approximately 20 percent […]

Feeling bitter over Twitter

11th June 202013th June 2020Abi Owen

These are troubling times for America. With a pivotal presidential election looming and the current momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement, the country is in turmoil as politics takes control. Every day, videos of police brutality and racism are shared onto the social media sites that have become the main source of information for […]

Automation: The Rise of Machines

10th June 202013th June 2020Thomas Harrop

So, here we are – we made it – 2020, the age of robots and flying cars, a pandemic and unprecedented times. Automation is one of the many buzzwords of today (much like buzzword which is itself a buzzword); but what does it mean and how do we tackle this global issue? Will the ‘Rise of […]

Keyboards: a quirky lockdown hobby

5th June 20209th June 2020Ollie Banks

There are over two billion keyboards in the world. They are one of the most used objects in daily life. Yet the trillions of words written every day are largely conveyed through dull, black, plastic varieties that proliferate offices everywhere. The average person will spend five years of their life typing – more than they […]

The Big 5: which vaccine could end COVID-19?

4th June 20209th June 2020Tolu Atilola

Across the globe, scientists are working tirelessly to produce a COVID-19 vaccine, with over 100 potential candidates in development. A successful vaccine could prevent millions of deaths worldwide and allow devastated economies to begin the road to recovery. But with an estimated minimum timeline of 18 months, is it possible that a vaccine will be […]

Can vitamin D reduce the risk of COVID-19?

21st May 202025th May 2020Tolu Atilola

Image description: A mask and a vial of vitamin D Amid the coronavirus pandemic the demand for vitamin supplements has skyrocketed as millions seek to ‘boost their immunity’ to combat infection. Although evidence underlying their efficacy in reducing case incidence and severity is sparse, a link between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 mortality has emerged […]

Will Elon Musk’s Neuralink Shape the Future of Humanity?

19th May 202020th May 2020Arnav Lahiry

With the massive strides in sustainable transportation made by Tesla and the continuing progress of SpaceX in its aspiring journey to colonize Mars, Elon Musk has repeatedly demonstrated remarkable ambition. Neuralink, a neurotechnology firm co-founded by Elon in 2016, hopes to deliver on an even more grandiose pursuit. Alongside global warming and the possibility of […]

Author: Helen Collins

Psychedelics and psychiatry: using magic mushrooms to treat depression

Insect farming: new food on a global scale

Vaccine patents: protecting profit at all costs

COVID-19 vaccine equity: a global failure?

How the baby formula debate is harming food banks

What’s up with WhatsApp: update sparks privacy concerns

How rising screen times during COVID-19 affects children

The Promises and Perils of the Digital Yuan

What effect will Trump’s policies have on public health?

Feeling bitter over Twitter

Automation: The Rise of Machines

Keyboards: a quirky lockdown hobby

The Big 5: which vaccine could end COVID-19?

Can vitamin D reduce the risk of COVID-19?

Will Elon Musk’s Neuralink Shape the Future of Humanity?

Term Ends: Go home and sleep

Natural Beauty – The Latest Trend?

‘What’s Going On’: Marvin Gaye’s Anthems for the ages

Student Spotlight: James Onona

The day my laptop died

Ox tongue – approved by Mary Berry

Leaving Schitt’s Creek: a lockdown reflection

Album review: SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo

On the shoulders of giants

Top 10 vegan restaurants in Oxford