May 20, 2026

Stress can significantly impact gut health by tightening the stomach and slowing digestion, especially for individuals with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). While some people quickly recover, others do not. A new study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has identified how stress hormones disrupt gut function through a specific nerve network, suggesting potential…

As part of the Commencement 2026 series celebrating Harvard’s 375th Commencement, Ph.D. candidate Isaac Witte reflects on the “incremental advances” that led to the CRISPR breakthrough. His journey began with a fascination for DNA replication during high school in Overland Park, Kansas, captivated by the complex orchestration of proteins essential for life. Witte’s interest was…