Revista Digital Universitaria

Joy that resists: echoes of women on the coast during the pandemic

Adriana Fournier — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

What happens when science and local voices meet? This text gathers the experiences of women from the southern coast of Jalisco during the covid-19 pandemic, inviting us to listen to their stories as a form of resistance and learning. Through their experiences, we reflect on how scientific information circulates (or doesn’t) in communities with limited access to technical knowledge, in a country full of inequalities. With a qualitative approach, the text explores the gaps in understanding phenomena such as public health and the environment, and how these women, resilient by nature, face each challenge. The pandemic was just one more adversity they have faced over the years, but their ability to adapt and resist demonstrates the power of community. This article not only highlights the tensions between academic and local knowledge but also invites us to rethink how we connect with science. An invitation to learn from those who are often left out of major conversations.

Antarctica: the continent that remembers

Rafael Antonio Lopez Martinez — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Wrapped in ice and mystery, Antarctica holds the memory of the planet in its rocks. In this scientific chronicle, a geologist from the unam narrates his participation in an expedition to the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary, one of the least understood passages in geological history. Alongside an Argentine team, he spent weeks in isolated camps, on nunataks surrounded by glaciers, collecting fossils and fragments of a marine past hidden under millions of years of sediment. Amid extreme temperatures, gusts of wind, and a routine without internet or electricity, daily life becomes survival, science, and communion with the landscape. Antarctica, far from being a static wasteland, reveals stories of ancient forests, giant penguins, and temperate oceans. Today, its ice also records the impact of climate change. This account not only explores a scientific expedition but also the way deep time speaks to us about the present—and the future—of the planet.

Two university generations: risky alcohol consumption during the pandemic

Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of this article is to report findings on alcohol consumption and its association with sociodemographic and academic factors in two university generations during the covid-19 pandemic. In addition to sociodemographic and academic factors, the covid-19 lockdown has been linked to increased alcohol consumption. The levels of alcohol consumption risk were compared between two generations of higher education students who began their studies during the pandemic. A total of 2,265 students participated voluntarily. It was found that low-risk consumption and abstinence prevailed, although some reported risky and harmful consumption. Men exhibited higher and riskier alcohol consumption than women. Intermittent socializing with peers and having full-time or part-time employment favored drinking situations. The bivariate analysis has limitations; future multivariate analyses will allow a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon, contributing to the early identification of at-risk populations and their intervention.

From the lab to everyday life: stories that transform your day

Diego Alatorre Guzmán — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

What if we could see heat? What can’t be seen but can be felt

Adrian Felipe Bedoya Pérez, Ernesto Marín Moares — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered how scientists can “see” heat? Infrared thermography, a technology capable of capturing the thermal radiation emitted by objects, allows us to explore a world invisible to the human eye. Although it is well known for its use in nighttime observation of people and animals, this technique has much more to offer. In its active form, heat is not only detected, but also stimulated in a controlled manner, opening up a range of possibilities for analyzing materials without damaging them. This article takes you to the core of active infrared thermography: how it works, its applications, and—most excitingly—how you can use conventional cameras to achieve surprising results, without the need for expensive professional equipment. Thanks to this accessibility, the technique could become a key tool in education, research, and industry, democratizing access to a powerful technology. Discover how this innovative technique is changing the way we understand heat—and how its potential is still far from fully explored.

When artificial intelligence listens to molecules

Mtra. Mildret Guadalupe Martínez Gámez, Dr. Hernán Peraza Vázquez — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Did you know that a computer can help you detect diseases or determine if a food is safe, just by analyzing how a molecule vibrates? Artificial intelligence (ai) is changing the game in modern science, especially in a technique called ftir spectroscopy. This tool allows us to “listen” to the vibrations of molecules to understand their structure, something that once required hours of analysis by experts. Now, thanks to ai, this process is faster, more accurate, and more accessible. This article explores how the combination of ai and ftir is revolutionizing fields like early cancer diagnosis and food quality control. How do they do it? By using algorithms capable of recognizing patterns invisible to the human eye, which help make critical decisions in minutes. You’ll also learn how these technologies are being applied in the real world and the challenges that still need to be overcome. Can a neural network detect a tumor? Or tell us if a fat is healthy? Join us to discover how science and artificial intelligence are working together to better understand what we can’t see… but is in everything around us.

Intelligent and active packaging: coming to the rescue of your fruits and vegetables

Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Today, intelligent and active packaging are revolutionizing the way we preserve fruits and vegetables, especially those that continue to ripen after being harvested (climacteric). This article explains in simple terms how intelligent packaging allows for monitoring the freshness of food, while active packaging helps extend its shelf life by controlling its internal environment. We also explain the materials commonly used in these packages—such as special plastics and bioplastics—and the main factors that deteriorate fruits and vegetables. Additionally, we explore recent research aimed at improving materials to make them even more useful, by adding antimicrobial or antioxidant properties. The combination of these two types of packaging promises not only fresher and safer products but also less food waste and better conditions for producers and consumers.

What if the medications we take make bacteria stronger?

Víctor Manuel Chávez Jacobo, Víctor Bustamante — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Bacteria that are not affected by antibiotics (antibiotic-resistant) pose a significant health risk. Antibiotic resistance is a global concern and has been increasing over time. The excessive use of antibiotics, often unnecessarily, has been the main cause. However, other factors can also contribute. For example, exposure to commonly used products such as disinfectants or sanitizers, as well as creams, toothpaste, and soaps that contain antibacterial compounds. Additionally, recent studies show that drugs or medications that are not antibiotics, such as metformin (used for diabetes management) and some antidepressants, can also promote the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It is crucial to understand the various factors that contribute to antibiotic resistance in order to establish measures that help mitigate this issue.

Food addiction and obesity: emotions, decisions, and an unadjusted brain

Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Although the scientific study of the causes of overweight and obesity has received much attention, the number of people affected continues to grow in many countries. In Mexico, a series of anti-obesity strategies have been implemented in recent years, which, judging by the currently available data, have not yielded the best results. This health problem seems far from being resolved, at least if we continue to approach it in the same way we have so far. It may be time to redirect efforts toward generating a truly preventive strategy that considers brain function as one of the most important links in the chain of events that can lead to excessive weight gain.

Mexican medicinal plants: extraordinary laboratories for therapeutic development

Tzasna Hernández Delgado, Karen, Héctor Arreaga-González — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Over the years, the use of medicinal plants has remained one of the most accessible health alternatives in communities around the world. Since plants lack mobility, they are vulnerable to experiencing environmental stress conditions, damage from microorganisms, and predators. To cope with these challenges, plants have developed various defense systems, including a sophisticated chemical system. This system involves the production of compounds known as secondary metabolites, phytochemicals, or natural products. These not only offer protection but also provide multiple benefits to our health. In this article, we invite you to learn what a medicinal plant is, how they produce substances with healing properties, and how Mexican medicinal flora is being studied for the development of new drugs.

From spike to swab: how is COVID-19 detected?

Blanca Ortiz-Quintero — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Fatigue, fever, cough, diarrhea, loss of smell, among other combined or isolated symptoms… How can we know if we have covid-19? The only way to answer this question is by performing a diagnostic test that detects the presence of the virus that causes covid-19, sars-CoV-2. There are different types of tests available on the market; so, which one should we choose? This article describes the available types of tests, their characteristics, what they detect, from which part of the body the sample is taken, in which cases they are indicated, and what their results mean. To clearly understand this, the article includes a simplified description of the identity of sars-CoV-2, how it infects, and the timeline of symptom appearance.

Friendly whales: Why do we need best practices for their observation?

Omar Garcia Castañeda, Steven Swartz — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Whale watching tourism is rapidly growing worldwide. In Mexico, gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) often display friendly or curious behavior toward boats in their breeding areas in Baja California Sur. After 30 years of research on this species, we have observed that this behavior may be due to several factors, such as the absence of hunting and human harassment, responsible management, and other factors in the observation areas. However, the increasing pressure from tourists has altered this dynamic, creating strain on tour operators and raising concerns about disturbances to whales. In this article, we emphasize the importance of empathy toward the whales’ natural needs and the necessity of responsible tourism practices, focusing on the overall experience and reducing the expectation of direct contact.

Marine fungi: friends and rivals

Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

From the surface to the ocean floor, microscopic fungi dwell. Although invisible to the naked eye, they are crucial for the proper functioning of marine ecosystems. In mangroves, coral reefs, beaches, the water column, and the seabed, fungi are responsible for breaking down organic matter, thus promoting the release and distribution of carbon. Moreover, they form sincere “friendships” and fierce “rivalries” with other marine organisms such as bacteria, algae, and mammals, all of which help maintain ecosystem balance. Scientists have begun to uncover the secrets of these interactions and believe that these microorganisms could be key allies in bioremediation. Would you like to find out why?

A look at the dune: the sand flowers and their pollinators

Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Coastal dunes are dynamic and unique ecosystems that host a wide variety of life forms adapted to live in sandy environments, which often include rare and distinctive species. In Mexican coastal dunes, plants are particularly interesting due to their interactions with various groups of animals, like insects. One understudied and noteworthy group is parasitic plants, which are often considered harmful but actually contribute nutrients to the soil and have positive relationships with insects and other organisms. Here, we present some aspects of species from the Lennoaceae family, parasitic plants found in Mexican coastal dunes that have been relatively understudied compared to other parasitic plants. In particular, we focus on the importance of floral scents in attracting pollinators.

If the soil could talk: keys to understanding its health and importance

Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Beneath our feet, a silent story unfolds that sustains life as we know it. The soil —a resource we often overlook— is vital for growing food, filtering water, and maintaining ecosystem balance. But today, its health is in jeopardy. The pressure of human activities has led to its degradation, affecting fertility, accelerating erosion, and making us more vulnerable to phenomena like droughts and floods. How can we know if soil is healthy? In this article, we share four simple yet powerful indicators that allow us to assess its condition: texture, water infiltration, aggregate stability, and structure. The best part is that you don’t need to be an expert to observe them: with basic tools and a bit of curiosity, anyone can approach this resource with a more mindful perspective. This text is an invitation to reconnect with the earth, to understand it, and to care for it. Because protecting the soil is protecting life —both ours and that of future generations.

Caring for life: challenges and practices in times of inequality

Luis Ernesto Cruz Ocaña, Jania Wilson González, Carolina Rivera Farfán — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Since the early decades of the 21st century, and following the Coronavirus pandemic, we have reflected on the vulnerability of our human bodies and the need to incorporate care practices into our daily lives. These practices, focused on the prevention, maintenance, and recovery of physical, emotional, and mental health, also include the support of individuals who require special attention. This article addresses current debates on care and the recognition of our bodily vulnerability, focusing on how they influence the daily organization of family life and care practices in private and intimate spaces. Through ethnographic experiences, an ethical-political reflection is proposed to transform fragmented efforts in “care policies” into a comprehensive “care system,” particularly in unequal contexts such as those in Latin America.