The Ubiquity of Science
“Scientific thought is the common heritage of mankind.”- Abdus Salam
I have been pursuing science since my chemistry class sophomore year of high school. Whether in the classroom, at the lab, during conversation with friends, or being Editor of the Yale Scientific, science has invaded my life. In particular, I have had several different opportunities to conduct research in science laboratories and I have fully enjoyed these experiences. Though, when asked about my future aspirations and the words “medical school” come from my mouth, jaws often drop. How can someone so interested in science and research not want to pursue a career solely based in science research?
However, the reasoning behind this decision was most influenced by my research opportunities. In the lab, I have witnessed and performed basic science – manipulating it and studying it in hopes of developing something that can better the health of someone else – and this is what has inspired me to practice medicine, to continue to study and use science to help others.
I have realized that we are surrounded by science. From the engineering behind the faucet where we wash our hands to the chemical interplay between ingredients in a cupcake recipe, science is often lurking where we would not have guessed. Although we most closely identify “scientific thought” to research laboratories, many other realms use and study science each day but often go unnoticed. Echoing Abdus Salam’s statement, “scientific thought is the common heritage of mankind,” the thinking process of science, its methods, and its applicability can unite all of us. In this issue of the Yale Scientific, we will explore all aspects of science and how science can appear in mysterious ways.
Yale researchers are using poisonous spider toxins as pain medication (p. 18) and traditional Chinese herbs to treat cancer (p. 20) – unconventional means to solve common problems. Furthermore, the Yale Scientific delves into the world of art restoration and conservation (p. 26), an often overlooked field in science that incorporates more chemistry than one would imagine, and the role that science plays in sports such as football (p. 34) and golf (p. 35). We even have an article on the Fourier transform (p. 16) – a mathematical principle that is more universal in our environment than many basic concepts taught in science textbooks.
As you read this issue of the Yale Scientific, please open your eyes and your mind to all realms of science because it is everywhere just waiting to be found.