Articles by Rebecca Sohn, Live Science Contributor

Rebecca Sohn is a freelance science writer. She writes about a variety of science, health and environmental topics, and is particularly interested in how science impacts people's lives. She has been an intern at CalMatters and STAT, as well as a science fellow at Mashable. Rebecca, a native of the Boston area, studied English literature and minored in music at Skidmore College in Upstate New York and later studied science journalism at New York University.

Articles by: Rebecca Sohn

conceptual illustration shows a human brain depicted as a glowing network of wires. The brain is shown against a black background with many points of light surrounding it, as if it was on a 3D grid

Newfound 'brain signature' linked to multiple psychiatric disorders

By Rebecca Sohn published 27 April 23

Researchers identified patterns of brain wiring that seem to be linked to a person's risk of having multiple psychiatric disorders.

close up of a hand holding package of contraceptive pills

Hormonal birth control slightly increases breast cancer risk, regardless of type

By Rebecca Sohn published 22 March 23

Hormonal contraceptives slightly raise users' risk of breast cancer, regardless of whether they're combination or progestogen-only.

Photomicrograph of gram stain showing Bacterial Vaginosis.

What is the vaginal microbiome?

By Rebecca Sohn published 10 March 23

The vaginal microbiome is made up of around 300 species of bacteria. But its links to health are still being uncovered.

Illustration of a cell being surrounded by free radicals to demonstrate oxidative stress

What is oxidative stress?

By Rebecca Sohn published 6 March 23

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to counteract them.

photo of a woman in with long, dark hair lying in bed under a large blanket. She holds both hands over her face as if struggling to sleep

Human brain looks years 'older' after just one night without sleep, small study shows

By Rebecca Sohn published 27 February 23

A study suggests that just one night of sleep deprivation may be linked to structural changes in the brain, similar to those seen in aging.

Illustration showing chromosomes with highlighted telomeres

Telomeres: What are they, and how do they impact aging?

By Rebecca Sohn published 20 February 23

Telomeres are sections of DNA that are found at the ends of chromosomes and seem to play a role in aging.

photo shows fumes exiting the tailpipe of a light blue car that appears to be in traffic

Even brief exposure to diesel fumes alters activity in key brain network, study finds

By Rebecca Sohn published 14 February 23

An experimental study suggests that diesel fumes might disrupt the brain's typical pattern of activity.

An X-ray image of the unexploded grenade, lodged just below the soldier's heart.

Doctors risked their own lives to remove a live grenade from a Ukrainian soldier's chest

By Rebecca Sohn published 17 January 23

The surgeons had to refrain from using common procedures that could have detonated the grenade.

Brown recluse bites caused two people's blood cells to self-destruct

By Rebecca Sohn published 25 November 22

Bites from brown recluse spiders can cause an autoimmune form of hemolytic anemia, in which red blood cells are destroyed by the immune system.

Mineral inclusion in a diamond, containing ringwoodite, enstatite and ferropericlase.

Rare diamonds suggest water lurks much deeper in Earth's interior than scientists thought

By Rebecca Sohn last updated 28 September 22

Clues about water in Earth's deep interior were recently extracted from rare diamonds.

Watch a cannibal alligator chomp down on another gator in jaw-dropping video

By Rebecca Sohn published 26 August 22

An alligator was recently recorded on video while eating another alligator. But while such behavior might be gruesome, it's not unusual.

Woman holding a child with Down syndrome

What is Down syndrome?

By Rebecca Sohn published 26 April 22

Reference Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has a fully or partially duplicated copy of chromosome 21.

An image of Pluto taken by the New Horizons probe in 2015 with evidence for potential cryovolcanism marked in blue.

Ice volcanoes on Pluto may still be erupting

By Rebecca Sohn published 30 March 22

An area of Pluto that researchers think was formed from the eruption of ice volcanoes is unique on the dwarf planet and in the solar system, a new study suggests.

To prevent glaucoma complications, eye exams are a must. Here, an elderly man examined by an ophthalmologist.

Glaucoma: Cause, symptoms, treatment and prevention

By Rebecca Sohn published 12 March 22

Reference Glaucoma is an eye condition in which a buildup of fluid damages the optic nerve and can lead to blindness.

Here, a young boy rides a mechanical bull during the annual Ambleside Sports competition at Rydal Park in the Lake District.

After 3 kids sustain grisly injuries from mechanical bulls, doctors call for regulation

By Rebecca Sohn published 24 February 22

A case report describes grisly injuries to kids from poorly regulated mechanical bulls. Doctors call for regulations.

Tumor cells can be seen in a matrix of a certain kind of collagen that allows them to proliferate

Dormant cancer cells may 'reawaken' due to change in this key protein

By Rebecca Sohn published 14 December 21

Cancer cells can lie dormant for years and then suddenly start spreading.

A pregnant woman is inoculated with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in Medellin, Colombia, on July 24, 2021.

COVID-19 during pregnancy linked to preterm birth

By Rebecca Sohn published 16 August 21

COVID-19 may increase the risk of giving birth prematurely, according to the largest study to date on this link.

Illustration of brain cells showing electrical firing.

Synthetic brain cells that store 'memories' are possible, new model reveals

By Rebecca Sohn published 6 August 21

Scientists have created key parts of synthetic brain cells that can hold cellular "memories" for milliseconds. The achievement could one day lead to computers that work like the human brain.

This illustration shows a coronavirus particle in blood plasma showing the Y-shaped immunoglobulin G antibodies (IgG, light blue) bound to the coronavirus' spike proteins (red). IgG antibodies are Y-shaped proteins produced by B-lymphocyte white blood cells as part of an immune response. Immunoglobulin M antibodies (IgM) are also shown in light blue.

How early was the novel coronavirus circulating?

By Rebecca Sohn published 24 July 21

3D computer image of nerve cells, or brain cells.

Scientists just discovered long-sought-after 'grandmother neurons'

By Rebecca Sohn published 12 July 21

After 50 years of searching, neuroscientists have found what could be called "grandmother neurons," they are reporting.

Natural rates of aging are fixed, study suggests

By Rebecca Sohn published 28 June 21

Aging is determined by biological, not environmental, factors, a study suggests.

Close-up image of the hands of a centenarian.

Human life span may have an 'absolute limit' of 150 years

By Rebecca Sohn published 28 May 21

Humans may be able to live for between 120 and 150 years, but no longer than this "absolute limit" on human life span, a new study suggests.

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