How Stevia (sugar substitute) could have potential in the cancer research field

Writer: Ashley Boscco

Stevia’s Secret: Unpacking the Anti-Cancer Science Behind the Green Packet

It’s 6 A.M. and, as you navigate the blur of the early morning fog and go for your essential coffee fix, you might reach for an alternative sweetener. Perhaps, today, it is the little green packet of stevia perched on the condiments tray: a simple choice to avoid refined sugars. While this small, everyday decision may feel trivial, scientists are now discovering it could have benefits other than weight-watching. In particular, recent research indicates that the natural components of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, the source of this popular sweetener, may have exploitable anti-cancer properties.

Beyond the Sweetness: Steviol Glycosides

The major players are compounds known as steviol glycosides (SGs), which give the plant leaves their natural, tooth-aching sweetness. This chemical family, theorized to act as either the plant’s natural defense or storage system, consists of a core steviol molecule linked to diverse sugar groups [1]. This conserved structure becomes critical for digestion in mammals, where the SGs are hydrolyzed by symbiotic bacteria in the colon, breaking into its two main constituents [2]. The steviol is further transported into the liver for further processing while the released sugar groups stay in the gut, unlike other sweeteners that travel to the blood. This then gives the plant extract its classification as a “sugar alternative.”

In one review, researchers compiled evidence showing that SGs counteract a variety of malignancies, from breast cancer to gastrointestinal tumors [3]. But, you may ask yourself—how can this simple compound challenge such aggressive diseases?

How it Works

Fundamentally, cancer cells are mutated host cells that ignore natural signals from the body to stop dividing or die when damaged. Steviol glycosides seem to address this issue in a few suspected ways:

1. Programmed Cell Death: SGs mark for cell destruction, often triggering the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. For instance, stevioside, a common SG, was shown to increase apoptosis rate through reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in breast cancer cells [3].

2. Cell Cycle Arrest: SGs are correlated with halting the cell cycle specifically at the G1, S, and/or G2 phases, stopping cancer cells from propagating further [3].

3. Inhibition of DNA Replication: Certain products such as isoteviol, made from stevioside, inhibit enzymes needed for DNA replication and stability such as mammalian DNA polymerase λ and DNA topoisomerase II [3].

Hence, through either outright destroying or stopping the replication of these cancerous cells, SGs offer a way to corral cancer’s out-of-control mechanism.

Benefits and Next Steps

While these anti-tumoral properties seem powerful, they are not unheard of in the field. Hence, what might make these molecules appealing to study? One of the major characteristics of SGs is their exceptionally low toxicity. Unlike the standard indiscriminate chemotherapy agents, SGs potentially have fewer negative effects on non-cancerous cells, suggesting a safer treatment option [3]. Furthermore, due to being sourced from a common plant, the extract is readily available for study or following large-scale drug development.

However, this does not mean we should all start switching to stevia in our morning coffees. It is critical to understand this research is still in its infancy. Most of these results come from in-vitro cell or in-vivo animal studies, needing much more rigorous clinical studies to confirm similar effects in human patients [3]. So, for now, stevia remains as a healthy sugar substitute, but its potential in cancer research reveals how even the simplest choices we make every morning may hold clues to medical breakthroughs.

References

[1] Libik-Konieczny M, Capecka E, Tuleja M, Konieczny R. Synthesis and production of steviol glycosides: recent research trends and perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2021;105(10):3883-3900. doi:10.1007/s00253-021-11306-x

[2] Renwick AG, Tarka SM. Microbial hydrolysis of steviol glycosides. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2008;46(7, Supplement):S70–S74. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2008.05.008

[3] Iatridis N, Kougioumtzi A, Vlataki K, Papadaki S, Magklara A. Anti-Cancer Properties of Stevia rebaudiana; More than a Sweetener. Molecules. 2022;27(4):1362. doi:10.3390/molecules27041362

Why do we dream?

Writer: Srilalitha Jyosyula

Dreams are the strangest yet most vivid experiences we can have and they happen every single night! In fact, people spend about two hours dreaming every night, even if they don’t remember what they have dreamed [3]. During those two hours, our brains create a series of images, sounds, and sensations that can feel as real as our waking experiences.

This has been a fascination for a large part of human history: from ancient Mesopotamian dream diaries to published scientific studies in the modern day [3]. But even after thousands of years, there is no overarching reason for why we dream. Scientists have offered many theories but there is no definitive answer [1].

Some of the uncertainty comes from the intangibility of dreams. For much of history, dream research relied on people’s own reports of what they saw in their dreams. It wasn’t until MRI scans to image the brain were developed that researchers could understand the anatomical basis for dreams. They found that when we dream, we have increased activity in the parts of our brains that are responsible for movement (such as running, falling, or talking) and sensory input when we’re awake [1]! On the other hand, brain areas linked to logic and self-awareness had little to no activity at all. That’s why we sometimes dream of completely nonsensical things like a dog teaching algebra or your house falling into a pit of lava.

Most people dream about four to six times a night but only remember them if they wake up during or immediately after REM sleep [2], [4]. Otherwise, the memory fades almost instantly. Individual people can have wildly different levels of dream recall: some people can remember every little detail while others don’t remember dreaming in the first place.

It’s not just humans that dream! Animals also experience REM sleep and have twitching paws or tails, which may be a clue that they can also dream [3].

As for the purpose of dreaming, some scientists think that dreams are a by-product of REM sleep, the stage of sleep marked by high levels of brain activity that almost mirror waking brain activity [3], [2], [4]. However, it seems that REM sleep and dreaming are somewhat independent because it is possible to have REM without dreaming or vice versa depending on which area of the brain is damaged [4].

Another leading theory is that dreaming helps with memory and learning. During sleep, the brain could be sorting through the events of your day, strengthening useful connections and removing unnecessary ones [3], [4]. Dreams could also be some sort of practice for real-life situations, such as processing emotions, solving problems, or preparing for future problems [4].

Basically, while you dream of flying through the skies, your brain might be quietly reorganizing your brain, solidifying your memories and preparing you for waking life. We may never understand dreams, but they are a reminder that even while we sleep our brains are busy learning and understanding the world around us.

References

1.  MacDonald J. Nobody really knows why we dream. JSTOR Daily. October 15, 2019. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://daily.jstor.org/nobody-really-knows-why-we-dream/

2.  Marks H, Booth S. Dreams. WebMD. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/dreaming-overview

3.  What is a dream and why do we have them? BBC Bitesize. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zmnjb7h

4.  Why do we dream? Cleveland Clinic. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-do-we-dream

5.  Zhang J, Pena A, Delano N, et al. Evidence of an active role of dreaming in emotional memory processing shows that we dream to forget. Sci Rep. 2024;14:8722. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-58170-z

Hearing Without our Ears

Writer: Nyansu Chen

“Who is that? Is that my voice?!”

Ever wonder why our voices sound so different when we hear them in a recording versus in reality? Typically, the pathway of sound processing is as follows: Sound waves travel through the air into your ear, hitting the eardrum and vibrating tiny bones inside. The cochlea then converts these vibrations into signals that your brain can interpret as sound. [1]

So, when we speak, how are we hearing ourselves without our ears funneling sound waves? Turns out, our bones serve more than just as skeletons—they have the power to transfer sounds. Vibrations of our skull are directly transmitted through our inner ear, resulting in a different perceived sound of our own voices.

And this pathway is what leads us to bone conduction headphones!

The concept of hearing through bone conduction is not as new as it may seem. As early as the 1500s, Italian physician Girolamo Cardano discovered that sound could transmit through bone using a metal rod. [2] Centuries later, famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven (known for composing legendary pieces even after becoming completely deaf) would reportedly place a rod between his piano and his teeth to “hear” music. [3]

Fast forward to 1992, Mr. H. Werner Bottesch redesigned this concept and patented the first bone conduction headphone design in the U.S. [4] The product was designed to transmit sound through the bones surrounding the ear, allowing users to listen to music without obstructing their ear canals. Ten years later, the first commercially available bone conduction headphones were released on the market.

So how does it work? Similar to how our voices bypass the outer and middle ear to send vibrations directly through the bones around our ear, bone-conducting headphones send vibrations that skip the eardrum and transmit directly to the cochlea. This allows us to hear sounds more clearly because the headphones don’t cover our ears, so outside noises can still reach us while we listen to music or talk.

As such, bone conduction headphones are increasingly utilized across various fields. For instance, military personnel and first responders use bone conduction headsets to communicate while staying aware of their surroundings. Athletes also use them for training, as they can listen to coaching feedback without tuning out nearby traffic or teammates. What’s especially promising is the integration of bone conduction technology into hearing aids. Also known as osseointegrated or bone-anchored devices, these can be implanted surgically or worn externally to treat hearing loss caused by damage to the outer or middle ear. [5]

Audiologists are actively exploring how bone conduction technology can enhance hearing health, particularly by improving hearing aid capabilities for individuals with outer or middle ear damage, and by developing more effective solutions for age-related hearing loss. Researchers are also working to refine the integration of bone conduction with digital sound processing systems, which can provide clearer sound quality and greater personalization. As bone conduction technology evolves, advancements will enable greater integration into our lives, whether through subtle hearing devices or expanded use in clinical settings for treating hearing loss.

References:

[1] Bone Conduction Hearing Aids. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Published July 18, 2022. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/baha--the-implantable-hearing-device
[2] Hear with Bone: The Evolution of Bone Conduction Headphones. Teksun: Cultivating Technology. Published July 3, 2024. https://teksun.com/blog/hear-with-bone-the-evolution-of-bone-conduction-headphones/
[3] Smith, A. Published March 4, 2017. The history of bone conduction technology. Shokz. https://shokz.com/blogs/news/the-history-of-bone-conduction
[4] Bottesch, H. Werner; Bottesch, H. Werner. Bone-conductive stereo headphones, US5323468A. 1992. https://patents.google.com/patent/US5323468A/en?inventor=Bottesch&assignee=H.+Werner&oq=H.+Werner+Bottesch
[5] Traynor, R. Published November 12, 2024. Bone conduction headsets: Bad to the Bone. https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearing-international/2024/bone-conduction-headsets/
[6] Bone Conduction Headphones Analysis 2025 and Forecasts 2033. Published May 3, 2025. https://www.archivemarketresearch.com/reports/bone-conduction-headphones-509850#summary

Wired for Fire: The biological basis for spice tolerance and how it can be built with exposure to greater spice levels.

Writer: Grace Zhang

From Nashville hot chicken to cups of fruit doused with Tajín and chamoy, spicy foods are on fire in modern-day pop culture. Carolina Reaper challenges are all the rage nowadays, and companies are rolling out “World’s Hottest” products like chips, gummy bears, and chocolate bars as if there’s no tomorrow. It’s safe to say that the world loves all things spicy–but scientifically speaking, what is it about peppers that makes them burn? What chemical molecules are in a dash of hot sauce, and how do we perceive the sensation of eating something spicy? What exactly is spice?

It turns out that there is a specific compound responsible for spice. Capsaicin, a vanilloid of the Capsicum family, is a common tissue irritant that evolved in plants as a defensive mechanism against predators and other pathogens [1]. When ingested or put in contact with skin, capsaicin binds to TRPV1, a key receptor located on the outside of cells, activating the mammalian pain pathway [2]. Conventionally, the strength of a given capsaicinoid is measured according to the Scoville Heat Unit Scale, starting from a bell pepper at zero units to pure capsaicin at 16,000,000. For reference, the Da Bomb hot sauce from the show “Hot Ones” clocks in at roughly 135,600 Scoville units [3].

Capsaicin selectively activates certain nociceptors, or specialized neurons that detect pain signals, tricking your nerves into thinking your mouth is on fire in the absence of any real heat [4]. This effect, however, slowly decreases the more spice you eat. Due to its influence on receptors that control pain, researchers have found that regular consumption of spicy foods raises your pain tolerance over time [5]. Eating it once can induce analgesia, or the temporary inability to feel pain. Capsaicin also activates the body's natural painkillers, which are the same opioid receptors that release endorphins, your brain's feel-good chemicals. In short, spice is soothing after a brief flare of pain. That rush of endorphins makes the experience oddly addictive, which might explain why people keep reaching for another bite even when they seem to be in agony.

We’ve discussed how capsaicin can induce a burning sensation by activating pain pathways. So what happens when you realize that the wings you ordered are way hotter than you can handle? The best move is to reach for milk or other dairy products that contain fat and a milk protein called casein. Because capsaicin is an oil-based molecule, drinking milk with a nonzero fat content will help wash it away, similar to how soap removes oil [6]. Furthermore, casein may contribute to breakdown of capsaicin molecules, further relieving spice-induced pain.

Capsaicin can affect your health in many ways. Some studies have linked high spice consumption to higher risks of certain cancers, particularly those of the throat, stomach, and gallbladder. [7]. But other research suggests that capsaicin may actually boost metabolism: people who eat more spicy foods tend to have lower rates of obesity. Additionally, capsaicin could potentially slow metabolic aging processes [8].

Spicy foods have been around for thousands of years, and they’re not going away any time soon [7]. By understanding the biological mechanism of spice, as well as the potential side effects of consuming capsaicin, we are able to make more educated decisions about our individual food choices. As a society, we can conduct research into the science of pain and perception, improving our understanding of how the human body works. So, whether you live for the burn or not, we can all agree on one thing: capsaicin is definitely one way to add a little spice to our lives.

References

[1] Sunil A, Javaheri D. The evolution of capsaicin in chili peppers. Journal of Student Research. 2024;13(3):1–7. doi:https://doi.org/10.47611/jsr.v13i3.2590 

[2] O’Neill J, Brock C, Olesen AE, Andresen T, Nilsson M, Dickenson AH. Unravelling the mystery of capsaicin: A tool to understand and treat pain. Pharmacological Reviews. 2012;64(4):939-971. doi:https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.112.006163 

[3] Da Bomb Beyond Insanity Hot Sauce, 4oz. HOTSAUCE.COM. Published 2025. Accessed October 18, 2025. https://www.hotsauce.com/Da-Bomb-Beyond-Insanity-Hot-Sauce/?srsltid=AfmBOoqIf8PL9GBy0PFu-6m88P0kmOePKDyKhqaK4QT9ndlDkXdsb59E 

[4] Fattori V, Hohmann M, Rossaneis A, Pinho-Ribeiro F, Verri W. Capsaicin: Current understanding of its mechanisms and therapy of pain and other pre-clinical and clinical uses. Molecules. 2016;21(7):844. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21070844 

[5] Duan G, Wu Z, Duan Z, et al. Effects of spicy stimulation and spicy-food consumption on human pain sensitivity: A healthy volunteer study. The Journal of Pain. 2020;21(7-8):848-857. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2019.11.011 

[6] McCallum K. How To Cool Your Mouth Down After Eating Spicy Food. www.houstonmethodist.org. Published September 28, 2020. Accessed October 15, 2025. https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/sep/how-to-cool-your-mouth-down-after-eating-spicy-food/ 

[7] Ao Z, Huang Z, Liu H. Spicy Food and Chili Peppers and Multiple Health Outcomes: Umbrella Review. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2022;66(23):2200167. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.202200167 

‌[8] Zhang N, Hong F, Xiang Y, et al. Spicy food consumption and biological aging across multiple organ systems: A longitudinal analysis from the China Multi-Ethnic cohort. Nutrition Journal. 2025;24(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-025-01147-z 

The rising amount of Type 2 Diabetes cases amongst younger individuals in the US

Writer: Anish Kalva

Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90-95% of all diagnosed diabetes cases among more than 38 million Americans, with symptoms often developing gradually over several years before detection. While traditionally considered a disease of middle-aged individuals, Type 2 diabetes is increasingly emerging as a critical health concern for younger generations [1]. But, what is Type 2 Diabetes anyway and why is it a concern for younger individuals as well? 

This disease develops when the body either can’t produce sufficient insulin or becomes resistant to the insulin it produces. When insulin resistance occurs, the pancreas attempts to compensate by producing more insulin, but eventually can’t keep up, leading to rises in blood sugar. These high blood sugar levels are a root cause of serious health complications, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.

While Type 2 Diabetes most commonly develops in individuals aged 45 and older, there has been a concerning increase in the number of diagnoses among teens and young adults. [1] The United Kingdom experienced a nearly 40% increase in Type 2 Diabetes diagnoses among people under 40 [2]. Finally, almost 1% of high school students in North Texas were diagnosed, and nearly 1 in 10 had prediabetic conditions [3].

Globally, obesity has become the most common cause of malnutrition, rising to over 43% in America. The situation is equally concerning among youth, where nearly 1 in 5 U.S. children have obesity. Insufficient physical activity combined with poor dietary habits, particularly diets high in refined carbohydrates and foods with excessive sugar, fuel the rise in childhood obesity. Additionally, the frequent consumption of baked goods, fruit juices, and candy contributes to the excessive added sugar intake in children, potentially leading to insulin resistance and the development of prediabetic and Type 2 diabetic conditions [4].

Given the alarming rise of childhood obesity, implementing preventive measures early is essential to reducing the diabetes risk. Regular physical activity is one of the most effective interventions, such as walking for at least 30 minutes daily four to five times a week can significantly reduce the risk by increasing the frequency and intensity of activity.

Beyond exercise, dietary improvements play a crucial role. Rather than only reducing added sugar intake, individuals should focus on maintaining daily caloric intake at or below their daily caloric expenditure. Furthermore, consistent health monitoring through regular check-ups with a primary care physician, including cholesterol and blood sugar level screenings, can identify diabetes risk early and enable time for intervention before the disease develops [3].

With appropriate planning, healthcare support, and lifestyle modifications, the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, especially in youth, can be substantially reduced. Early intervention not only prevents the onset of diabetes, but also promotes overall health and longevity.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes. Published May 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/about-type-2-diabetes.html

2. The N. Alarming rise in young-onset type 2 diabetes. The Lancet Diabetes & endocrinology. 2024;12(7). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-8587(24)00161-

3. McGuire D. Protecting teens and young adults from Type 2 diabetes | Heart | UT Southwestern Medical Center. Utswmed.org. Published 2014. https://utswmed.org/medblog/teens-type-2-diabetes/

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood Obesity Facts. CDC. Published April 2, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood-obesity-facts/childhood-obesity-facts.html