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Where you read it first | Thursday, March 26, 2026
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Hande Naz Kavas

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Science

Cristian Staii: The physics of the brain

By Hande Naz Kavas | March 26

From outer space to the human brain, Tufts University’s research labs explore various fields of science to uncover new insights and develop principles to test them. Diving deep into the human brain, one such Tufts lab analyzes how neurons grow and form neural networks. Cristian Staii, an associate professor of physics and astronomy, runs a biophysics lab that operates on ex vivo brain cells, mimicking actual biological environments and utilizing atomic microscopy to analyze these cells under different conditions. By examining how neurons in neural networks function and how their mechanical properties change under different environmental conditions, the team aims to mathematically explain the brain’s complex structure. Staii devises mathematical formulas for the mechanical properties of these cells, emphasizing the importance of applying physical and mathematical knowledge to different areas. His previous work across various fields led him to his current research in neurophysics.

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Science

Winter Olympics 2026: How the brain handles high-speed fear

By Hande Naz Kavas | February 10

The Winter Olympics 2026 officially began last Friday in northern Italy. From ski jumping to curling, figure skating to snowboarding, lots of athletes will reach extraordinary speeds over the course of two weeks. As we perch on the edge of our seats, waiting for the start gun to fire or the start gate to drop, these athletes prepare to push the limits of physics. While their professionalism may deceive us into thinking we could do the same,we should remind ourselves of the fear we had when skiing ourselves down a snowy mountain for the first time or competing in front of an audience far smaller than a global one.

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Science

A glimpse into the life of historical Tufts professor Amos Dolbear

By Hande Naz Kavas | January 20

Since 1852, numerous inventions and discoveries have been made at Tufts University. While recent patents receive significant recognition, earlier patents remain equally important and should not be overlooked. One of the inventors of these patents was Amos Dolbear (1837–1910). Following an unusual academic journey, Dolbear became the inventor of various machines, including models of wireless telephones and the electric gyroscope, which his son later described as “the first successful electric motor-driven gyroscope ever built to demonstrate the Earth’s rotation.”

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Science

Accessible, low-cost biomedical innovations at Tufts’ research lab

By Hande Naz Kavas | October 28

From ingestible pills that track gut health to smart bandages that can autonomously provide required treatment to wounds, Tufts University’s Sonkusale Research Lab has been engineering impactful patents with feasibility principles. The lab differs from ordinary research centers because of the high value it places on the feasibility and accessibility of its solutions. The lab’s mission is to build innovations that users can afford and reproduce without expensive materials. In my interview with Sameer Sonkusale, we discussed how their lab facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and maximizes the accessibility of their innovations, as well as some of their current projects.

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Science

Keeping inner thoughts ‘private’

By Hande Naz Kavas | September 25

Last month, a spark was ignited within the scientific community as a team of researchers demonstrated a scientific method for decoding one’s inner thoughts. The team implanted microelectrode arrays in the brain tissues of four BrainGate2 patients who lost their ability to speak due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Each patient was then asked to perform various tasks, including responding to spontaneous questions, counting shapes and reading sentences, while the researchers collected electrical data from their brains to analyze their thoughts. This electrical data was then used to mechanically build an alternative communication channel.

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