Human-Grown heart valves: A promising breakthrough to the treatment of valvular heart diseases

Anabelle Rizkallah

Current surgical treatments involve replacing the defective valve with a mechanical or biological valve, often requiring multiple subsequent surgeries in children, as these valves aren’t capable of growing on their own. Today, the field of medicine stands on the brink of a transformative breakthrough, as researchers are making heart valves from human stem cells. These human-grown heart valves could potentially spare children from additional surgeries, completely redefining the treatment of valvular disease.

07/07/2025

The Subconscious-Autonomic Nervous System Axis: A Novel Perspective on Neurodegenerative Disease Progression

Gaelle Hankash

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s have traditionally been studied through a biomedical lens, emphasizing genetic and molecular mechanisms. However, emerging interdisciplinary evidence demonstrates that subconscious processes, shaped by past experiences, play a crucial role in disease progression. This paper investigates the intricate, often overlooked interplay between the subconscious mind and neurodegeneration. We propose that subconscious biases and maladaptive patterns profoundly impact the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and its regulation of neuroinflammatory pathways.

19/07/2025

Biotechnologies: A Breakthrough for Medicine or the Beginning of Humanity’s Downfall?

Marco Lamah, Karl Mchayleh

As of 2025, biotechnologies have reached a new zenith by standing at the intersection of a myriad of scientific disciplines, including genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and regenerative medicine. Through this multidisciplinarity, this modus operandi is redefining the possibilities of healthcare, not only by advancing treatments for chronic diseases but also by addressing organ shortages and accelerating drug discovery. Nevertheless, this exponential pace of innovation is raising various ethical, social, and policy debates regarding the challenges of biotechnologies that presuppose careful consideration. This article delves into both the scientific foundations and the practical applications of emerging biotechnologies, drawing from primary research and real-world case studies. It will also analyze the pressing need for equitable access, responsible governance, and thoughtful policy development to ensure that biotechnological progress benefits society as a whole.

04/08/2025

Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy: Understanding the Risks and Promoting Effective Management

Toros Torossian, Hala Ramadan

From a historical standpoint, the past two decades have witnessed the rise in GDM, affecting 14% of all pregnancies worldwide [4]. Notably, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has the highest prevalence, with 27.6% of pregnancies affected by GDM [4]. Despite this growing prevalence, many women remain unaware of the risks associated with GDM [5]. Unlike PGDM, which is diagnosed before pregnancy and requires prior management, GDM develops during pregnancy, with its incidence increasing throughout gestation, reaching 26% in the second trimester and 33% in the third trimester [6]. Given its rising prevalence and the lack of awareness surrounding it, this review will primarily focus on GDM.

05/08/2025

Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy: Understanding the Risks and Promoting Effective Management

Naji Mansour

Amongst a myriad of remarkable, modern medical advances, antibiotics stand out as a significant development. Thanks to antibiotics, thousands of lives have been preserved, transforming deadly infections into manageable medical situations. Through his 1928 breakthrough of penicillin, Alexander Fleming launched a medical revolution that allowed for life-saving operations, cancer treatments, and organ transplants to take place more regularly. The medical breakthroughs from antibiotics are encountering a critical threat because of antibiotic resistance.

17/08/2025

Ongoing Research Initiatives

Brain Economics: The Economic Value of a Flourishing mind

Mental health disorders are not abstract concepts but have tangible, measurable impacts on economic output through absenteeism (missing work) and presenteeism (being present but underperforming). Conditions such as chronic stress, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and sleep disorders impair concentration, decision-making, and effectiveness, costing economies billions annually. Addressing these psychiatric variables is an economic necessity, requiring mental health resources, promoting work-life balance, and reducing stigma

19/05/2025

Completed Research Initiatives

Unrecognized and Unprotected: Climate Refugees and International Legal Gaps

Michela Salama-Robino

Microplastics have been implicated in a range of adverse health effects on humans, including neurotoxicity, reproductive and development problems, and chronic diseases. Microplastics can accumulate in neural tissues, ultimately resulting in cognitive malfunctions and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, microplastic exposure has been associated with disruptions in hormone regulation and adverse effects on fertility and fetal development (Liu et al., 2019). They can also lead to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer. These health effects urge for the expansion of research on the topic.

13/08/2025

The Impacts of an Invisible Hazard: Microplastics in Beauty and Fashion (In collaboration with the FHS Student society of AUB)

Jana Abou Jaoude, Amira Hijazi, Mariam Hoyek, Perla Mahfouz, Rosa Kalout

Microplastics have been implicated in a range of adverse health effects on humans, including neurotoxicity, reproductive and development problems, and chronic diseases. Microplastics can accumulate in neural tissues, ultimately resulting in cognitive malfunctions and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, microplastic exposure has been associated with disruptions in hormone regulation and adverse effects on fertility and fetal development (Liu et al., 2019). They can also lead to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer. These health effects urge for the expansion of research on the topic.

26/01/2025

Behind Beirut's Thalassocracy: A study of the systematic corruption within the Beirut port

Elie Joe Akiki, Lynn Farghal

The Lebanese curriculum of Geography highlights the Beirut port as the strongest maritime administration in the east mediterranean coast. While this claim may have been true at some point in history, the new world order shifted the situation around, as the harbor found itself in ruins after facing the consequences of its deep-rooted corruption. The Lebanese golden age witnessed an inexplicable economic boom in its absolute free market, which historians later described as “Le miracle Libanais”. However, this economic boom was nothing but the short run benefits of institutionalized corruption within the state’s administration and beyond.

17/01/2025

INTEGRATION OF COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE WITH SOLAR PV SYSTEM AT M.K MEDICAL CENTER

Energy storage systems are increasingly recognized for their efficiency and practicality in supporting renewable energy integration. This project focuses on implementing a Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) system at the Mohamad Khaled Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon. The medical center currently relies on 367 solar PV panels for daytime electricity and a diesel generator for nighttime power.

10/12/2024

Globalization: Fostering or Impeding Religious freedoms?

Marina Daniel

Globalization has competed with the nation-state over a large degree of its sovereignty. This is specifically due to the rise of international non-governmental organizations and bodies that have been able to socialize states and adopt enforcement mechanisms in order to ensure compliance. In contrast with the several connotations and linkages commonly made with the rise of globalization, the human rights status was highly hindered, with an explicit infringement on the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, which are precisely highlighted in the Human Rights Act of 1998.

12/01/2025