In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley imagined a society perfected through science — one without pain, fear, or freedom. Nearly a century later, Sidnee Bell examines how that imagined world mirrors our own, where gene editing, pharmaceuticals, and even architecture quietly shape our choices. Blending literary analysis with modern science, Bell asks a haunting question: when innovation promises comfort and control, how much autonomy are we willing to surrender?
Read MoreFrom rooftop star parties in the heart of Austin to the sprawling night skies of West Texas, astronomy student Prisha Desai invites readers on a journey through UT’s most awe-inspiring stargazing experiences. With firsthand stories from the PMA and Painter Hall telescopes to the legendary McDonald Observatory, Desai shows how anyone — student or not — can explore the cosmos. Whether you’re chasing Saturn’s rings or the Milky Way’s glow, her guide proves the universe is closer than you think.
Read MoreMoving off-campus means more space — and more responsibility. In Dorm Days Are Over, Maya Murali turns the chaos of first-apartment life into a blueprint for sustainability, offering clever, low-cost hacks that actually stick. From composting without the smell, to trading bottles for bars, to cutting down microplastics one shampoo at a time, Murali shows that eco-friendly living isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress, one small change at a time.
Read MoreEvery semester brings a new aesthetic — ruffle socks, Stanley tumblers, Longchamp totes — but beneath the charm of coordinated chaos lies a deeper story about sustainability and status. In Microtrends, Major Impact, Brina Patel dissects how TikTok-fueled fashion cycles turn “eco-friendly” staples into fast-moving symbols of belonging. Through the shimmer of clover charms and the churn of trend culture, she asks: can sustainability survive in a world obsessed with the next new thing?
Read MoreIn West Campus, where everything is walkable — except a real grocery store — putting food on the table can feel like a full-time job. Arushi Nath explores how UT students navigate food deserts, from long bus rides to rising costs, and highlights the growing support network easing that burden. With resources like UT Outpost, PTS shuttles, and simple, nutritious meal ideas, this guide turns survival into sustainability — proving that eating well in college shouldn’t require a car or a compromise.
Read MoreFor decades, psychological treatment has meant playing pharmaceutical roulette — cycling through low-effect medications and hoping one finally sticks. But what if relief didn’t have to take months or years? At Stanford, Dr. Nolan Williams and his team are revolutionizing psychiatry with SAINT, a personalized neuromodulation therapy boasting remission rates nearing 90% in just five days. Jones explores how precision brain stimulation is reshaping our understanding of depression — and may soon make trial-and-error prescribing a thing of the past.
Read MoreOnce dismissed as superstition, traditional medicine is making a powerful comeback — this time, at the center of wellness culture. From turmeric lattes to gua sha facials, ancient remedies are no longer confined to family kitchens; they're lighting up Instagram feeds and luxury spa menus alike. But as these age-old practices become wellness buzzwords, questions of cultural respect and authenticity simmer beneath the surface. In a world eager for balance and natural healing, the rise of traditional medicine is more than a trend — it’s a reckoning with the roots of how we heal.
Read MoreWhat if the magic of psychedelics isn’t in the trip, but in what happens beneath the surface of consciousness? At Stanford, Dr. Boris Heifets and his team are challenging the idea that mystical experiences are essential to healing—by testing psychedelics on anesthetized patients to isolate their biochemical effects. In his article, Jones interviews these scientists as they push past FDA roadblocks and into the murky realm of non-ordinary states, unlocking new methods of mental health treatment.
Read MoreIn this piece, Bhalla starts off a series of writing letters to UT’s future healthcare professionals. Read her piece to gain some insight into the reality of working in healthcare, a frequently emotionally draining field.
Read MoreKylie Ziemke is 2025’s 3rd-place winner of the Catalyst Creative Contest. She is a senior double majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. She has always enjoyed using writing to bridge the intersection between science and humanity; in other words, the world as it is, and the world as we experience it. She wrote “The Sun and All its Warmth” to explore how our personal experiences and emotions warp how we perceive the passage of time. It is a story of grief so all-consuming it stops time itself, but it is also a story of perspective and of the light at the end of the tunnel.
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