Skip to main content
ScIU Indiana University Bloomington

Entries by Guest Contributor

Dog Therapy

Posted by

[A service dog, with yellow lab features, stands at the side of a pool with it's harness on while sniffing the forehead of it's handler who is in the pool.]

Mental health awareness in the United States has become less taboo throughout the decade, as people young and old, become more comfortable talking about their mental health. Since 40 million adults in the US are diagnosed with anxiety disorder and 18 million adults suffer from depression, those who are dealing with their diagnosis are trying new approaches for coping with their disorders. While the traditional route of therapy and prescription medication to manage a mental health disorder works for many, the use of therapy dogs has proven as an effective method to improve mental health…

Five skincare ingredients for fall and winter

Posted by

[Picture is a pipette with oil coming from it and a small gold spoon with shea butter on it, both placed on a background of lotion.”]

Making sure your skin is properly hydrated and moisturized is essential for healthy skin. However, with Fall and Winter upon us, this weather can throw us off balance! We have all experienced that uncomfortable feeling when our lips are chapped, our cheeks are red, and our face feels tight or dry when walking through the blustery cold. With so many products on the market, it can be impossible to know what ingredients to look for. Depending on your skin’s needs, you may benefit more from certain ingredients over others. Some people suffer from dryness whereas others experience dehydration…

Seven species that used to be cryptids

Posted by

[an image containing about a dozen drawings of different animals, including a giant squid and a komodo dragon, in front of a light blue background. The image is labelled “Cryptids” at the bottom center.]

Cryptozoologists study cryptids: creatures whose existence has yet to be (or cannot entirely be) proven. Bigfoot, Nessie the Loch Ness Monster (yes, she has a name!), the Jersey Devil, El Chupacabra, Mothman, and werewolves are just a few of the many creatures that are studied in the world of cryptozoology. But, did you know that some real species we know about today were once considered cryptids? 

The tale of anthropology’s sweetheart: Lucy

Posted by

[An artist’s rendering of two Australopithecus afarensis. They are both standing upright and are partially covered in black hair all over their bodies. One is grabbing a low tree branch.]

The skeleton known as Lucy is arguably the most recognizable specimen of the modern human lineage. Anthropologists have used her remains to learn about the behavior and anatomy of Australopithecus afarensis, a member of the modern human lineage, as well as evolution in general. While she is one of the most famous and recognizable skeletons to the general public, she is also beloved in the field of anthropology.

Connected? The new world of 5G

Posted by

[A city skyline is over-imposed with a digital grid]

5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology for digital cellular networks. This improved technology is said to fuel the future of innovation in our world. 5G technology is in its beginning stages and currently raises more questions than answers. While the service will heighten our access to information and connectability, it will raise a variety of other issues that impact our society. Data privacy, health, the economy, and infrastructure are all variables that play a role in the future of 5G….

Goldfish myths: Does their memory really only last seven seconds?

Posted by

[A goldfish is trapped in a transparent light bulb filled with water.]

Have you ever dreamed about having a good relationship with your pet from day one? I believe that all pet owners have good hearts and the intention of sharing their lives with these cute creatures. Unlike dogs, who are often thought of as the symbolic figure of human beings’ most loyal friends, cats are considered more conservative in terms of revealing their feelings or emotions towards their owners. There is one pet’s feelings, however, that people might find more challenging to interpret — goldfish….

The highest price of fashion: Environmental destruction

Posted by

A model holds up shopping bags to represent the end result of a shopping spree.

This post was written by ScIU Social Media Intern Ava Steensland, an undergraduate student in The Media School at Indiana University. The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world. Here, we’ll take a closer look into tip number one from the ScIU post 7 Tips on How You Can Help the Environment,… Read more »

Media literacy in the modern age

Posted by

(wooden blocks that spell out the word fact, but show “ke” on the back of “ct” to make it look as though it could also spell fake

This post was written by ScIU Social Media Intern Jack Reasner, an undergraduate at IU’s Media School. The Center for Media Literacy defines media literacy as “a 21st-century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms — from print to video to… Read more »

How Your Diet Impacts the Environment

Posted by

[A hand painted green, holding a leaf cutting.]

The food you put into your body not only affects your own health, but also the health of our planet. The world’s food system accounts for about twenty-five percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Famous primatologist Jane Goodall once said, “you cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Are you making a difference? 

College of Arts + Sciences

Are you a graduate student at IUB? Would you like to write for ScIU? Email sciucomm@iu.edu