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Applied Sciences

Applied Sciences

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Rhianna-lily Smith profile page

Editorial Assistant

at Technology Networks

Rhianna-lily graduated from the University of East Anglia with a BSc in biomedicine and completed her MSc by Research in microbiology at the Quadram Institute Bioscience in 2023. Her research primarily focused on the gut microbiome in pregnant women throughout gestation. During her MSc, she developed a passion for science communication and later joined Technology Networks as an Editorial Assistant, where she works with the news team to cover the latest breaking news and produce Teach Me in 10 videos.

Education

University of East Anglia

Quadram Institute Biosciences

Areas of Expertise

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Published Content

Total: 121

A train of evolution from monkey descendants to a human, with microbes travelling between.

Gut Microbes May Have Helped Fuel the Evolution of Large Brains

Researchers show gut microbes may have fueled brain evolution by optimizing energy use. Experiments revealed that microbes in large-brained primates like humans and squirrel monkeys promoted higher energy expenditure.

A woman laying on the floor with her eyes shut.

Could Psychedelics Transform Treatment for Eating Disorders?

A clinical trial found psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa led to profound psychological shifts and reduced eating disorder severity in some participants. While 90% rated the experience as transformative, weight recovery remained inconsistent.

A woman clutching her stomach in pain.

How Depression Could Be Driving Menstrual Pain

A study suggests depression causes menstrual pain, supported by genetic evidence linking the two conditions. Researchers identified key pathways like the HPA and HPO axes, which connect mental and reproductive health.

What is the Human Immune Health Atlas?

Discover the Human Immune Health Atlas in this episode of Teach Me in 10.

A newborn baby screaming.

How Does the Newborn Brain Adapt in the First Days of Life?

NYU researchers have mapped the rapid reorganization of newborn brain networks, showing global surges in connectivity during birth. Analyzing fMRI scans, they reveal distinct growth in subcortical and sensorimotor regions.

Sardines swimming.

Japanese Sardines Discovered in Californian Waters: What Does This Mean for Oceanic Biodiversity?

NOAA researchers detected Japanese sardines off the U.S. West Coast for the first time, linked to warming seas and marine heatwaves. Their arrival raises questions about potential long-term establishment and ecosystem impacts.

A woman jogging.

Exercise Helps Neurons Grow

MIT researchers reveal how exercise stimulates neuron growth via biochemical and mechanical effects of muscle activity. Myokines and mechanical stretching enhance nerve growth and maturity.

Someone holding microplastics between their thumb and forefinger.

Wastewater Treatment Fails To Remove Pathogens Stuck on Microplastics

A study from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences shows that microplastic biofilms in wastewater treatment plants can harbor pathogens like E. coli and norovirus, even after treatment. These biofilms protect pathogens from removal processes.

A giant clam.

Giant Clam Extinction Could Undermine Climate Stability

With populations down over 80%, giant clams face extinction, threatening coral reefs’ stability and their carbon-sequestering role. Essential for nutrient cycling and biodiversity, giant clams support reef resilience.

Bacteria in an intestine.

Understanding the Gut Microbiota’s Influence on Stress and the Brains Circadian System

Research from University College Cork shows that gut microbiota influences stress responses via circadian rhythms. Depleting gut bacteria alters stress hormone levels and disrupts gene expression in the brain.

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