http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/topic/25/health-science Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Fri, 08 May 2026 06:16:15 -0400 Fri, 08 May 2026 06:16:15 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1946/an-assessment-of-the-origins-and-culpability-of-the-opioid-crisis-in-the-united-states By Connor D. Catalani - The use of synthetic opioids in the United States in the past 30 years has created an epidemic the likes of which our healthcare and law enforcement systems have never before encountered. Although some opioid analogs, like fentanyl, were developed with the intention of managing chronic pain, these potent drugs have, through their addictive qualities, trapped millions of Americans in a deadly cycle of dependency. This review addresses the major routes by which synthetic opioids are illegally shipped into the United States, where they are then sold to theAmerican public. By examining the origins... Fri, 11 Mar 2022 03:02 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1946/an-assessment-of-the-origins-and-culpability-of-the-opioid-crisis-in-the-united-states http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1931/federalism-and-the-value-of-institutional-experience-during-a-national-disaster-identifying-determinants-of-rapid-emergency-medicaid-waiver-adoption-during-the-covid-19-pandemic By Jason Semprini - Section 1135 emergency waivers were designed as tools for policy-makers to rapidly increase health system capacity during a disaster. Granting regulatory, administrative, or payment-model flexibilities during the covid-19 pandemic, states may be better equipped for an influx of hospitalizations. One month passed before every state adopted a covid-19 waiver and no research investigated why states adopted waivers sooner than others. This study utilizes a Parametric (Gamma) Time-to-Event design to construct a Contextual, Institutional, Political, External, and a combined Integrated model to identify... Thu, 06 Jan 2022 01:24 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1931/federalism-and-the-value-of-institutional-experience-during-a-national-disaster-identifying-determinants-of-rapid-emergency-medicaid-waiver-adoption-during-the-covid-19-pandemic http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1918/euthanasia-and-consensual-harm-evaluating-the-moral-and-legal-asymmetry-of-self-and-other-regarding-acts By Anna L. Peters - Suicide is legal in almost every country, but places where euthanasia is permitted remain in the minority (Mishara and Weisstub 2016). In many legislatures, suicide is not a criminal act. It is, however, a criminal act for you to assist me in this, either indirectly by providing the means (assisted suicide), or directly by performing the fatal act (euthanasia), even if I ask for your assistance. This dichotomy is emblematic of a pattern that can be found in many legal systems: person B – the agent, throughout – is prohibited from doing to person A – the principal, throughout &... Mon, 25 Oct 2021 08:48 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1918/euthanasia-and-consensual-harm-evaluating-the-moral-and-legal-asymmetry-of-self-and-other-regarding-acts http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1916/cancer-epidemiology-in-romani-americans-a-review-of-the-current-literature By Naszrin Arani - Romanies are one of history’s most misunderstood ethnic populations. Since medieval times, they have faced slavery, forced assimilation, sterilization, genocide, and other forms of ethnic cleansing. Their cultural and historical persecution has led to adverse health outcomes. Studies on health inequality among Romanies have been conducted in the past, as well as fragmented research on their genetic predisposition to disease; however, there is a gap in available information regarding precancerous health risks, especially at the upstream, social end of the spectrum. Thus, their oppression... Thu, 14 Oct 2021 06:45 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1916/cancer-epidemiology-in-romani-americans-a-review-of-the-current-literature http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1908/the-price-of-predatory-marketing-on-older-adults-a-perspective-on-prevagen-potency By Stephanie M. Jones - The calcium-binding protein apoaequorin has been studied for its possible indication to improve human cognition and memory. Faculty at Quincy Bioscience developed Prevagen with this in mind, claiming its apoaequorin-formulated supplement may decrease age-related memory loss. A summary of the pathway orally administrated apoaequorin would take in order to penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), with particular focus on digestive elements and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability is presented. A discussion of the ethicality of the research and marketing practices of Quincy Bioscience in the... Mon, 20 Sep 2021 11:02 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1908/the-price-of-predatory-marketing-on-older-adults-a-perspective-on-prevagen-potency http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1899/longevity-blue-zone-centenarians-an-expository-paper By Christopher M. Green - Areas of the world found to harbor the people with exceptional lifespans are known as a Longevity Blue Zone (LBZ). LBZ’s are areas around the world that have an unusual concentration of centenarians. This paper investigates the link between lifestyle wellness and the lack of institutional long-term care among centenarians living in LBZ’s. There is limited information on the relationship between health and structured health care in these zones of the world. The ability to assess if there is a requirement for institutional services in these zones has the power to resolve current gaps... Tue, 11 May 2021 02:19 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1899/longevity-blue-zone-centenarians-an-expository-paper http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1889/single-payer-reform-and-rural-health-in-the-united-states-lessons-from-our-northern-neighbor By Jared M. Hirschfield - Single-payer health reform has secured its place in the mainstream American health policy debate, yet its implications for particular subpopulations or sectors of care remain understudied. Amidst many unanswered questions from policymakers and political pundits, rural health has emerged as one such area. This article explores rural Canada’s five-decade-long experience with a national publicly funded health insurance program as a valuable opportunity for cross-national learning. During March 2020, I conducted 13 semi-structured, elite stakeholder interviews with government officials, academic... Mon, 15 Mar 2021 02:29 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1889/single-payer-reform-and-rural-health-in-the-united-states-lessons-from-our-northern-neighbor http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1880/a-critical-analysis-of-the-biopsychosocial-risks-associated-with-postpartum-depression-in-indian-mothers By Dia A. Kapoor - Motherhood is an essential yet challenging feat that requires constant emotional, social, and physical support. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a devastating illness that has detrimental effects on both the mother and her child. PPD is a growing problem in developing countries such as India, where populations are unaware and unaccepting of mental illnesses. Existing literature has identified several biological and psychological factors contributing to PPD. Interventions and public health policies have been motivated by recognized factors; however, they have not been as successful at reducing rates... Mon, 22 Feb 2021 02:36 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1880/a-critical-analysis-of-the-biopsychosocial-risks-associated-with-postpartum-depression-in-indian-mothers http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1871/understanding-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-in-children-a-comprehensive-review By Kailey M. Pate - Post-traumatic stress disorder in children under six years old has been formally recognized since 2013 (Veteran’s Affairs, 2019), yet the body of research is still lacking for this age group. An important step towards helping these youngest sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder is to determine whether symptomology assessments, social supports, and treatments that exist for older children can apply to those who are younger than six suffering from the disorder. This comprehensive literature review compiles the research on post-traumatic stress disorders in children from six to seventeen... Thu, 04 Feb 2021 08:56 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1871/understanding-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-in-children-a-comprehensive-review http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1859/cultural-competencies-for-healthcare-providers-working-with-rural-finnish-americans By Abigail K. Carlson - The number of Americans aged 65-years-and-older is projected to increase significantly by 2050. As rural older adults age-in-place, it is imperative to examine the links between cultural competencies, ethnic minority status, and access to care. Rural providers from outside the local culture must recognize the need to practice cultural humility and cultural sensitivity to champion best practices of care. Finnish Americans have a unique subculture in the Upper Midwest, particularly in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where they have historically faced much hardship, as well as significant barriers... Fri, 08 Jan 2021 12:54 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1859/cultural-competencies-for-healthcare-providers-working-with-rural-finnish-americans http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1850/genetic-coevolution-transposable-elements-and-their-impact-on-disease-development-in-humans By Gillian K. McNeil - Transposable elements (TEs), also referred to as ‘jumping genes’, are sequences of DNA located in the eukaryotic genome that have the ability to mobilize. This functional mobilization allows TEs to insert at random positions throughout the genome. It is currently being investigated whether or not the genetic instability caused by these relocations has effectively promoted the development of diseases in human populations, including rare genetic conditions and various types of cancer. This paper will review the theorized system of evolution of TEs in the eukaryotic genome, and the potential... Mon, 14 Dec 2020 10:55 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1850/genetic-coevolution-transposable-elements-and-their-impact-on-disease-development-in-humans http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1849/the-role-of-native-american-healing-traditions-within-allopathic-medicine By Rachna Vemireddy - Although spirituality has been an essential part of healing for most of mankind, modern medicine is more likely to embrace a mechanistic view of the human body where illness is an engineering problem and the body is the sum of discrete parts, rather than a complex whole. This may be the accepted norm today, but it is in complete contrast to the Native-American tradition, where the spirit is inextricably linked to healing. Neither approach is wholly sufficient in modern times and Native American (NA) groups have adopted their healing beliefs and practices to work in tandem with allopathic medicine... Thu, 10 Dec 2020 12:14 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1849/the-role-of-native-american-healing-traditions-within-allopathic-medicine http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1813/the-use-of-ketamine-as-a-treatment-for-depression-and-alcohol-use-disorders By Brendan Kelleher - Ketamine, described by the chemical formula C13H16ClNO, is most commonly associated with adolescent and adult recreational drug users and ravers who abuse this drug to experience a euphoric and dissociative state. Although this drug is a federal schedule III controlled substance as a result of this abuse potential, ketamine has experienced a renaissance in clinical interest in recent years.1 Although clinical use of ketamine is controversial, it has become a focal point of pharmacological research due to its considerably diverse molecular targets and neurophysiological properties.2 In fact, recent... Sat, 10 Oct 2020 07:51 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1813/the-use-of-ketamine-as-a-treatment-for-depression-and-alcohol-use-disorders http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1807/the-keto-diet-and-long-term-weight-loss-is-it-a-safe-option By Natalya F. Giroux - The ketogenic diet, or keto diet for short, is a fad diet that has gained significant attention in recent years as a popular weight loss approach. The diet is characterized by a depletion of carbohydrates which in turn place the body in a state called ketosis. In this metabolic state, the body breaks down fat stores directly and produces ketones to be used as fuel, which correlates directly with the ability of the diet to induce rapid weight loss. Fierce debate surrounding the diet originates from mixed opinions of the diet’s safety and efficacy, especially in the long term, based on the... Thu, 01 Oct 2020 02:07 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1807/the-keto-diet-and-long-term-weight-loss-is-it-a-safe-option http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1800/intergenerational-intimate-partner-violence-pathways-of-genetic-and-environmental-interactions By Clare Choi - Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue that results in social, psychological, emotional, and physical consequences. Although interventions may be continuously designed to combat this problem, IPV must first be understood in an intergenerational perspective before effective programs can be put into place. Intimate partner violence is historically viewed as a social and private phenomenon, tinged with shame and stigma. Existing literature on this issue predominantly focuses on the social environment, leaning towards theories that put blame on the social environment the... Tue, 22 Sep 2020 05:31 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1800/intergenerational-intimate-partner-violence-pathways-of-genetic-and-environmental-interactions http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1786/combating-xenophobia-in-the-covid-19-pandemic-the-importance-of-health-literacy By Sunshine Joyce A. Batasin - A global pandemic is often characterized by an abundance of information, the race for a vaccine, and a focus on preventing others from contracting the disease. However, the socio-cultural ramifications of such an event are oftentimes overlooked. Groups become stigmatized and targeted due to the spread of xenophobia –– the fear and dislike of foreign others –– and the ability to interpret information to make accurate health choices becomes difficult. An increase in health literacy –– the ability to understand and apply health information –– can help... Tue, 14 Jul 2020 09:05 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1786/combating-xenophobia-in-the-covid-19-pandemic-the-importance-of-health-literacy http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1772/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-an-analysis-of-genetic-and-biological-pathologies By Nicholas F. Schneider - This paper compiles and analyzes a series of published articles discussing some of the genetic and physiological principles of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as provides insight into potential future investigations for furthering understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the disorder’s pathology. The paper discusses the lack of support for environmental factors contributing to the prevalence of OCD (Grisham et al., 2012), some of the genes under investigation as risk factors (Meira-Lima et al., 2004; Bienvenu et al., 2008; Zike et al., 2017), and details potential for future... Tue, 05 Nov 2019 09:48 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1772/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-an-analysis-of-genetic-and-biological-pathologies http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1769/united-states-patents-biopiracy-and-cultural-imperialism-the-theft-of-indias-traditional-knowledge By Daanyaal R. Kumar - This article aims to present the biopiracy of traditional knowledge from India by the United States, which has occurred directly through the use of patent law and indirectly through economic power and cultural imperialism. Throughout this essay, I will analyze U.S. patent law, patent law cases where Indian traditional knowledge is being stolen, and the influence of U.S. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America in India. Through lenses of economic power and cultural imperialism, I will examine how economic power and U.S notions of cultural imperialism have given the United States the... Thu, 03 Oct 2019 08:21 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1769/united-states-patents-biopiracy-and-cultural-imperialism-the-theft-of-indias-traditional-knowledge http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1748/studying-ancient-dna-to-understand-contemporary-disease By Wafaa Khatau - The study of DNA and genetics has always been a large mystery to many scientists. The current Ancient DNA (aDNA) research on human history is more complex than what can be inferred from modern DNA research. Scientists and researchers are constantly using modern day populations, and modern DNA to make inferences about past populations (Haber et al., 2016). With the new technologies available in ancient DNA, the study of past diseases and populations is more easily conducted with little to no contamination. Studying aDNA does not only tell us about current and past disease, but can also shed light... Thu, 20 Dec 2018 12:07 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1748/studying-ancient-dna-to-understand-contemporary-disease http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1746/is-medical-debt-a-social-determinant-of-health By Vikrant Bhatnagar - Medical Debt has largely been viewed as a financial burden. While studies have linked Medical Debt to decreased savings, reduced health access, foreclosure of homes, and loss of income, there has been little to no research exploring Medical Debt’s effect as a social determinant of health. While Medicaid expansion via the Affordable Care Act has decreased overall Medical Debt, data on this phenomenon fails to adequately address the broader issue: the need to isolate statistically Medical Debt’s association with patient access to care. A sensible first step to explore this phenomenon... Tue, 30 Oct 2018 09:51 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1746/is-medical-debt-a-social-determinant-of-health http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1717/benefits-of-interactive-music-therapy-on-children-with-autism By Michael Zhitnitsky - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide range of severity, encompassing mild to severe levels of social, communicative, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. This social functioning disorder affects every 1 in 68 children born in the U.S., with prevalence rates doubling since 2000. ASD is associated with left hemisphere responsibilities, such as decreased joint attention, inability to comprehend social cues, insufficient linguistic knowledge, and a difficulty forming meaningful relationships. Children with ASD are faced with many problems, including a lack... Tue, 02 Jan 2018 09:11 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1717/benefits-of-interactive-music-therapy-on-children-with-autism http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1631/causal-inference-to-ascertain-causes-of-metastasis-in-melanoma By Wesley Maddox - Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a cancer affecting melanin-producing cells in the skin. It is a fairly common type of cancer with approximately 70,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Unlike many other cancer types, it has a fairly high survival rate with only approximately 8,000 deaths each year (The Cancer Genome Atlas, 2015). Similarly, many melanomas are diagnosed only after metastasis because many of those melanomas stay on the skin or other pigmented tissues and never metastasize. Much of the research regarding this disease has recently focused on attempting to understand and predict metastasis... Sat, 01 Apr 2017 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1631/causal-inference-to-ascertain-causes-of-metastasis-in-melanoma http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1590/lowering-restrictions-on-performance-enhancing-drugs-in-elite-sports By Rory W. Collins - This article argues that performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) ought to be allowed across all elite sporting competitions for athletes over the age of 16 so long as consuming them does not pose a significant risk to their health. I begin with a brief explanation of the current state of PED use in professional sports before assessing the prospect of allowing PEDs by three widely-accepted (though far from comprehensive) measures of ethical merit: well-being, autonomy, and justice. I end with a critique of the World Anti-Doping Agency's criteria for banning PEDs, concluding that allowing athletes to... Fri, 24 Mar 2017 09:28 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1590/lowering-restrictions-on-performance-enhancing-drugs-in-elite-sports http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1540/the-psychopathology-of-pica-etiology-assessment-and-treatment By Annette E. Chalker - Pica is a condition that has been prevalent among humans for centuries. According to the DSM-V (2013) pica is classified as an eating disorder in which an individual consumes non-food substances at least once per month, at a developmental stage in which the behavior is inappropriate, and occurs in a culture that does not sanction such behavior. Pica etiology is related to gastrointestinal distress, micronutrient deficiency, neurological conditions, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Currently there are no clinical guidelines for situations regarding pica and cases in clinical institutions often... Tue, 21 Feb 2017 11:31 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1540/the-psychopathology-of-pica-etiology-assessment-and-treatment http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1554/nutritional-communications-across-climates-a-comparative-research-study-between-ecuador-and-the-netherlands By Morgan Messelink - A study in May 2014 analyzed food labels in Quito, Ecuador, to better understand the culture's nutritional communication. The study explored what is considered to be a healthy diet in Ecuadorian culture and how this is communicated, and also to what extent nutrients in packaged food are effectively communicated via labelling. Data was gathered using a mixed methods approach; first using quantitative methods with a survey administrated to students at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Following the completion of the survey, participants were then asked to volunteer for a questionnaire containing... Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1554/nutritional-communications-across-climates-a-comparative-research-study-between-ecuador-and-the-netherlands http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1465/a-review-of-rehabilitation-protocols-following-acl-reconstruction By Daniel Indorato - The present study provided a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized control trials involving the effectiveness of various rehabilitation methods that have been implemented for the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The review of the literature revealed the following as evidence for effective ACLR rehabilitation: early intervention strategy focused on restoring ROM, muscle strength, and ligament stability with the utilization of CKC exercises. The literature supports the use of dynamic intraligamentary stabilization (DIS), which should also be implemented... Sat, 22 Oct 2016 03:16 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1465/a-review-of-rehabilitation-protocols-following-acl-reconstruction http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1464/fetal-homicide-laws-the-policing-of-womens-bodies By Chancey B. Herbolsheimer - According to English common law, the destruction of a fetus was not considered homicide. Relying on the “born alive rule,” feticide was not equated with murder unless the fetus was born alive and survived independently of the mother before dying of prenatal injuries.[1] Although misdemeanor liability could be imposed in circumstances in which a defendant’s actions caused the death of the fetus, jurists refused to impose murder charges unless the fetus survived long enough for the cause of death to be clear.[2] Prior to 20th century legislation, U.S. law mirrored this common law... Fri, 21 Oct 2016 09:33 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1464/fetal-homicide-laws-the-policing-of-womens-bodies http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1432/the-importance-of-the-ras-raf-pathway-in-cancer-development By Gina M. Kelley - The Ras/Raf pathway is a crucial cell signaling pathway utilized by eukaryotic cells for growth and proliferation, and it is highly conserved amongst all eukaryotic organisms. Mutations in this pathway lead to uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cancerous cells, effectively giving them a major advantage over normally functioning cells. Not surprisingly, numerous specific mutations and epigenetic changes to these proto-oncogenes contribute to carcinogenesis in colon, skin, breast, lung, and other cancers. In this review, I explore the role of the Ras/Raf pathway in many different types of... Mon, 15 Aug 2016 05:51 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1432/the-importance-of-the-ras-raf-pathway-in-cancer-development http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1428/the-forgotten-illnesses-the-mental-health-movements-in-modern-america By Grayson A. Bodenheimer - The modern world has made incredible bounds towards generating social movements to support disenfranchised groups. When thinking of social movements, people tend to conjure the image of visibly alienated groups that have become vocal in order to bring attention to and eventually change the systematic neglect they experience. The mental health movement (MHM), which has made notable progress over the past 50 years, only receives minimal attention from the larger society. Lipsky (1968: 1146-1147) argued that it is essential for a social movement to receive attention from the mass media to be influential... Sun, 10 Jul 2016 10:11 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1428/the-forgotten-illnesses-the-mental-health-movements-in-modern-america http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1427/perpetuating-the-cycle-opioid-addiction-and-the-criminal-justice-system By Scot N. DuFour - Heroin use and the consequences that come from it are skyrocketing around the United States. From major metropolitan areas to rural towns, millions of people are in the throes of opiate addiction. The traditional response to the illegal use and possession of drugs, including opiates, in the United States is incarceration, but this response is wholly inadequate to address the issue of heroin addiction and may actually contribute to the problem by placing users in situations that promote opiate use. Several treatment options for opiate addiction have been found to be far more successful than traditional... Tue, 05 Jul 2016 06:36 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1427/perpetuating-the-cycle-opioid-addiction-and-the-criminal-justice-system