Riona Anvekar (riona-anvekar)

ranvekar20 [ at ] stuy [ dot ] edu

Riona Anvekar (‘22) is a Science writer. Her favorite topic to write about is psychology relating to current events. In her free time, she loves to take dance classes and read dystopian novels.

The Brain’s Love for the Paranormal

Though interesting if they existed, ghosts are merely a figment of our imagination and a result of the brain misinterpreting an overwhelming amount of information.

Issue 4, Volume 112

The Second Stomach for Dessert

Sensory-specific satiety, a behavior that originally developed to regulate humans’ eating habits, is now the driving force behind our second stomach for dessert.

Issue 1, Volume 112

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Earworms: The Melodic Parasite in Our Brains

While most people find earworms—unwanted catchy tunes that repeat in your head—annoying, they can actually be positive signs of cognitive activity.

Issue 15, Volume 111

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Why You Should Continue Taking Notes by Hand

Taking notes by hand increases cognitive engagement with the material and allows us to retain and understand information better.

Issue 13, Volume 111

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The Rippling Effects of Generational Trauma

Generational trauma is passed down through epigenetics, the socio-ecological environment, and learned behavior, and reflects the psychological effects of traumatic experiences that took place centuries ago.

Issue 12, Volume 111

You’re Not Alone: Zoom Fatigue Is Real

The manner in which social cues are perceived through Zoom impairs the brain’s ability to process information and creates weak relationships with other people. This creates a low reward, high-cost analysis of Zoom meetings, triggering neurological pathways that create feelings of fatigue rather than alertness.

Issue 11, Volume 111

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Why Do Humans Dream?

A specific evolutionary purpose of dreams is yet to be determined, but research suggests that they help in processing emotions, organizing information in the brain, prepping the body for threats, and facilitating creative tendencies.

Issue 6, Volume 111

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You Said You Saw It Coming, So Why Did You Get Scared?

Henry Cen, Riona Anvekar

Cinematographers use specific techniques to trigger the audience’s brain to find horror movies enjoyably scary by detecting the fake threat.

Issue 4, Volume 111

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How the Coronavirus Is Projected to Harm the Youth

The coronavirus, quarantining, and a struggling economy are predicted to take a toll on the mental health of today’s youth. Scientists are getting closer to understanding the neural circuitry behind the negative effects of juvenile quarantine and social isolation.

Issue 2, Volume 111

The Stereotypes Tucked Away in Our Unconscious

This article explores how stereotypes ingrained in our minds through influences from our environment soon find themselves tucked away in our unconscious, and most of the time, we don’t even realize it. However, a process called de-automatization can save our generation from the societal threat of stereotypes.

Issue 16, Volume 110

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The Neurological Basis Driving the Two-Party System

Studies have exposed the many neurological differences between conservatives and liberals, suggesting that the creation of parties in America is an innate creation.

Issue 5, Volume 110