Ice and Injuries, an article, by - Muhammad Raza

 Ice and Injuries - Muhammad Raza

The age-old method for treating any form of cut, tear, injury or just pain has been to put some ice on the area, and for good reason: ice is a household item available to almost everyone, it stops the swelling from spreading around the area, and, most importantly, provides pain-relief. However, in the past few years, sports scientists and doctors have made discoveries that actually question the efficacy of ice on healing injuries, and whether it should even be used anymore. In fact, studies have shown that ice can actually reduce the time it takes for an injury to heal (MUSC Health). Here’s why:

The reason as to why ice can actually be detrimental to healing is because it reduces swelling in the acute area of the injury. Inflammation and swelling, contrary to popular belief, are actually steps in the healing process of an injury, as they are signals for your body to start clearing out and healing the area, and eventually lay down the infrastructure for new, functional tissue. By directly stopping this process, frequent icing can increase the time it takes for your body to heal an injury (MUSC Health). While it does provide pain relief–which, in some cases, may be more desirable than healing–the overall effect of ice is negative.

I can also personally advocate for the fact that ice (or other anti-inflammatories for that matter) can actually delay the healing process. As an athlete who constantly experiences different forms of aches, pains and injuries, I have used ice to try and heal myself. What I’ve noticed is that if I lay-off on icing the area for a day or two and enduring the pain for a little bit, my injury seems to get unexpectedly better the next day. To me, these recent studies regarding how ice can actually negatively impact injuries shows how our body always seems to know what’s best for us, and how things that make sense on the surface may not actually hold true under further investigation. 

Citation:

Thompson, Dakota. “Sports Medicine Monday: The Efficacy of Ice on Acute Injuries.” Advance.muschealth.org, 19 Sept. 2022, advance.muschealth.org/library/2022/september/ice-on-acute-injuries. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Why School should start later, article, by: Akanksha Bhat

 Why School should start later (And Im not just saying that because Im tired) 

by: Akanksha Bhat

If you're like me, waking up is basically a battle between you and your alarm clock, and the alarm clock wins every time. School starts way too early for teens, and honestly it messes with everything; our sleep, mood, and even our learning ways. I'm not just saying this because I love to sleep(although, who doesn't), but because of the early start times, it can make it harder for teens to be awake in class. 

Teenagers' bodies run differently than adults, we want to stay up later and sleep later. So forcing us to wake up at 6:30 or 7AM feels like trying to solve math problems half asleep. Staying up late with homework leads to less sleep, and that's when everything gets worse; mood swings, stress, and even our immune system takes a hit.

If schools start to add this rule and make schools start a bit later, this can cause them to get better grades, feel less tired, and motivate themselves to study. 

 

So maybe it’s time to rethink the time that school starts, because if you ask me, everyone would be a lot happier and smarter if we all got a chance to wake up before starting our day  

Button, Button by Richard Matheson, Analysis by Muhammad Raza

 “Button, Button” Analysis

“Button, Button” by Richard Matheson is one of those extremely eerie and unnerving short stories you would read in a high school English class. The story follows the two characters, Norma and Arthur Lewis, who receive a mysterious button from a strange man who tells them that, if they press it, someone they do not know will die and they will receive a handsome payout of $50,000. The couple debates endlessly about the authenticity of the button, why someone would make a button like this, and the ethics regarding this situation. Arthur is disgusted with the whole situation, and he is strictly against pressing the button even though it is apparent that he and Norma could use the money. Norma, on the other hand, is extremely tempted, and eventually presses the button near the end of story. The result is that her husband dies in a subway accident, and she receives the money from his life insurance (the reason for her husband being someone who could die was because, as the salesman put it, she did not really know her husband). Though the plot is simple, this short story is a great commentary about how our morals stack against materialism and greed. One aspect of this story that I find the most intriguing, however, is how Norma reacts to the fact that someone she does not know will die as an exchange for money.

It is apparent throughout the whole story that Norma wants to press the button and get the money, despite the fact that it is literally a murdering device. While she is otherwise portrayed as a completely ordinary middle-aged woman with no harmful characteristics or intentions, I believe that the fact that someone she would not know would die is the aspect of the button that most primarily motivates her intentions. When arguing with Arthur over the button, she says that it could kill anyone, including “ ‘some old Chinese peasant then thousand miles away’ ”, or “ ‘[s]ome diseased native in the Congo’”, though this attitude is in sharp contrast to her shock when her husband, the person closest to her, eventually dies (Matheson 6). It is interesting to see how Norma dehumanizes other individuals throughout the story for a shot at personal gain, with her thinking of Chinese and Congo natives as mere insignificant numbers whose death would not affect her world. In the end, everyone whom she doesn’t know is just a statistic or object to her, one that could be used to make herself better. Though this story is inherently fictional, Norma’s attitude is analogous to the attitude that many of us have today. In our world, injustice and exploitation is prevalent, and is sometimes even necessary for the benefit of others. New crises and catastrophes take place every day as we watch from the comfort of our homes, not wanting to take action because the lives of random people from other parts of the world do not affect us. This story is a great reflection on how easily our morals diminish and dissolve when we have no relationship to a situation that we are not related to, and is a warning for those living this path of inaction and indifference. The moral is: the fact that someone or something does not affect you directly doesn’t make them or it any less important.

Prompting AI - By Kaveeshan Gnanarajah

 Prompting AI - By Kaveeshan Gnanarajah

In today’s world, AI has become relied on by a variety of people ranging from top board members in some of the most well-known companies, to your simplest highschooler. No matter what your need is, I’m sure most of you have utilized AI to some capacity. With that being said, most people don't realize that the quality of your AI’s response depends basically entirely on how well you ask the questions. Terrible prompting leads to vague and useless answers that only waste your time. On the other hand, if you’re able to ask the right questions, you can see the real intelligence behind AI, as it shows you all the answers you need. Obviously, I'm not saying to use AI for everything, it's important to have your own say and brain in decisions. AI is really good at coming up with ideas when you need it, but ensure the words you are writing are your own, not AI’s. All I’m trying to show is how powerful of a tool it can be if you use it correctly. Okay so let's imagine you need help with brainstorming topics with a history essay. Asking “help me with my essay for history class,” will obviously not get you the brainstorming you want. AI will probably run over every minute detail about the structure of an essay and simply waste your time. If you asked instead “I’m writing a 5-paragraph argumentative essay for my history class. This unit is about _____. Can you help me brainstorm a list of ideas?” By filling in the blank for the prompt, the general topic you are learning, AI will provide a ton of ideas that perfectly fit your needs, allowing you to pick one of them, and start your writing adventure! The second prompt realistically took fifteen extra seconds to write, but probably saved you an extra ten minutes of frustration, trying to get the AI to understand your needs. If you don’t understand it yet, it’s important to be specific. AI can only assume so much, the more details you provide, the better it can change its response and actually fulfill your needs.

“Welcome to Zscaler Directory Authentication.” Fortune.com, 2025, fortune.com/2025/10/01/citi-ai-prompt-training-mandate-employees-reskilling-workforce-business/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Golden, Ryan. “Citi Rolls out AI Prompt Training Requirement to Most Staff.” HR Dive, 15 Oct. 2025, www.hrdive.com/news/citi-ai-prompt-training-requirement/802862/.

Why The Rookie is more than just another cop show, a review from Akanksha Bhat

 Why The Rookie is more than just another cop show

When I first heard about the rookie, I thought it would just be another predictable cop show-chases, arrests, and some cheesy drama thrown in. But as I started the show, I realized it’s way more than that. 

Yes it has action, but what really pulls me in is the characters. John Nolan is not just an average rookie, he is in his mid 40’s trying to start over. He is surrounded by young officers who are trying to prove themselves just as he is. This dynamic makes every episode feel fresh. 

But it's not just about him, the show shows great depth in each character, whether it's Lucy trying to figure out her future in the department, or Lopez dealing with a whole lot of work while she tries to become a detective. You really start to think deeply about these characters. 

What I respect the most is how the show shows the real world, and isn't shy to keep it hidden. From racism in policing, mental health, and even trauma. It doesn't have clear and perfect answers, but it tires, and that's all that matters. 

As a teen watching this show, it's weirdly inspiring. It shows that starting over is possible and that growth is uncomfortable but necessary. Even when you mess up, you can still find your way forward. This show is a reminder that your past doesn't have to define your future, especially when you are still deciding who to be at a young age.

Rogue One, the Atomic Bomb, and Love by Samhita Adapa

 

Rogue One, the Atomic Bomb, and Love

The death star atomic bomb connection has already been made a lot throughout the history of Star Wars but what not many people know is how heavily Rogue One was inspired from Robert J. Oppenheimer and his bomb, specifically, Galen Erso, the man who created the Death Star laser. 

When Rogue One was first in development, the early title for the production was “Destroyer of Worlds”, inspired by Oppenheimer’s Hindu verse, the one he used to express his regret in developing the bomb. Galen Erso, like Oppenheimer, is directly responsible for the creation of the Death Star Laser.He was the one who created the plans. He was the scientist who learned how to harness a kyber crystal’s power to use it for destruction. And he was the one who then caused its destruction by leaving a critical flaw in its designs. Both Galen Erso and Oppenheimer significantly regretted their hand on the large-scale destruction their creations would cause and Erso was the only one of the two to actively work towards its destruction, his love for Jyn and guilt driving him to take this step. 

Another connection is Gareth Edwards, the director. Edwards had previously worked on a BBC documentary, called Hiroshima, which detailed the aftermath of the bombing in 1945. His knowledge of the history and aftermath of the bomb along with the early title for the story granted the crew the codename Los Alamos, named directly after the place where Oppenheimer carried out his tests for Project Manhattan.

In terms of similarities, both the Death Star and the Atomic bombs are extremely powerful weapons that have devastating effects on targets. Though the death star seems to be on an extremely larger scale, a planet as opposed to a city, when the atomic bomb first dropped, people collectively reacted with shock and horror to the immense loss of life and destruction. People struggled to accept the magnitude of the destruction and were reeling from the bombing. In the real world at the time, this was the equivalent to a planet. The first time in history such mass destruction and death was carried out intentionally in war. In both worlds, the effects on humanity were devastating and longstanding. 

In fact, when the death star first targets Jedha, a nuclear bomb test was taken as inspiration by the VFX artists to create the scene. They took a direct reference from the Castle Bravo Nuclear Test in 1954. The resulting sequence is both equally horrifying and visually stunning. 

The bombing of Jedha and later Scarriff and Alderaan is a harsh wake up call for the Rebellion. They need to do something, they need to fight back otherwise it's them next and after that, there will be no one left or willing to stop what’s coming. There is unity and shared cause in the rebellion unlike never before, contrast to the arguments between them in Rogue One. This is similar to the real life response after the atomic bomb was dropped. People came together to tend to the wounded and later rebuilt the city with the help of the community. Humans came together in shared love for one another and compassion. Survivors were resilient and people were sympathetic from all across the globe in this time of grief and suffering. 

This all ties back to Jyn and Galen’s last name Erso. By switching the placement of the “o” and “s”, you get Eros, the Greek word for love. It was Galen’s love for his daughter Jyn that forced him to keep working for the empire. It was Jyn’s love for her father that caused her to have so much faith in his death star flaw, to be able to trust him despite being separated for over a decade and seemingly working for the other side.  And at the very end, Jyn’s death was another product of that love, to be able willingly walk to her death to carry out his last wish, destroying the death star. A father and daughter's love for each other catalyzed the rebellion, offering them hope for a first victory. If rebellions are built on hope, that hope was sparked from their love. Jyn and Cassian embrace in their last moments, in a show of love for the collective humanity, taking comfort in another human’s arms before their death. So at the root of it all, it is a story of love. 

Works Cited

Rennie, Daniel. “How ILM Created the Death Star’s “Beautiful” Destruction of Jedha City in “Rogue One” | Bold Entrance.” Bold Entrance | Behind-The-Scenes of Hollywood’s Biggest Franchises, 22 Dec. 2019, boldentrance.com/rogue-one-death-star-jedha-city-destruction/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Seastrom, Lucas. “Destroyer of Worlds: How Lucasfilm’s Storytellers Found Inspiration for Rogue One.” StarWars.com, Disney News, 17 May 2017, www.starwars.com/news/destroyer-of-worlds-how-lucasfilm-storytellers-found-inspiration-for-rogue-one.

Team, GunPundit. “How Did the World React to the Atomic Bomb? - the Civil War.” The Civil War, 17 Nov. 2024, www.civil-war.net/how-did-the-world-react-to-the-atomic-bomb/.

How to Start Running, by: Muhammad Raza

 How to Start Running 

Believe it or not, running can be one of the most enjoyable and beneficial forms of exercise for those who chose to pursue it. It improves your cardiovascular system, strengthens your muscles and bones (contrary to what many people believe), and builds a great deal of discipline and mental resilience (Victorian Government Department of Health). In fact, evidence has suggested that running also increases your lifespan, meaning you’ll live both longer and stronger (BaylorScott&White). However, starting one’s running journey is much harder than it appears on the surface, and there are a lot of things you have to take into account when beginning this strenuous hobby. That is why, with my years of running experience and the knowledge I have acquired from pounding hundreds of thousands of miles into legs, I have identified and compiled three actionable steps that you can take in order to start running.

The first step to beginning your running journey is actually to start strength training. That seems contradictory, why would I want to hit the gym or start doing squats if I wanna log miles? The answer to this question is that running specific strength training is great for improving your durability and protecting you against injury. Running, in a manner, is also a weight lifting sport: your tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones have to support multiples of the weight of your entire body continuously for miles on end. If they are not built to handle this load, you are asking for an injury. One of the reasons why so many new runners quit the sport is because they can’t string together training without getting hurt, and strength training is one of the best ways to prevent that.

Now that you’ve started to get stronger legs, the next step to getting into running is actually doing walk-jog intervals. Walk-jog intervals, as the name implies, are workouts consisting of you walking for a specified period of time, and jogging for a specified period of time (eg: 1’ walk -> 30’’ jog, or 2’ walk-> 2’ jog). This is a great way to introduce your body and mind to the action of running in a somewhat easy and non-strenous manner. In fact, this type of training is also used by seasoned athletes who want to get back into running after a tough injury, meaning it definitely can apply to beginners. The other benefits of this type of training are that you can stack up much more training volume by weaving walks between your runs rather than straight up running, and also progress easily by decreasing the walk to jog ratio. Over time, this walk-jog can transition to straight up running as you progress in a manageable way.

The last piece of advice for those wanting to start running is that you need to realize the importance of consistency. While this is cliche advice, the fact is that so many of the adaptations that take place once you start running occur over weeks and months of consistent effort. Every runner who you see casually trotting out 8 mile easy runs and 4 mile hard efforts have built up to that over months and years of consistent training, and everyone has to do this. Also, consistency doesn’t have to be running everyday as far as you can; for a beginner, it can just look like running every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for a moderate amount of time. Overall, running is extremely rewarding, but only if you take the time and energy to follow these actionable steps and continue to do them as you further progress in this sport. 

Citations:

Jones, Bradley. “An Hour of Running Could Add 7 Hours to Your Life.” Scrubbing in by BSWHealth, 18 June 2017, www.bswhealth.com/blog/running-hour-add-7-hours-life.

‌Better Health. “Running and Jogging - Health Benefits.” Vic.gov.au, Victorian Government, 25 May 2022, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/running-and-jogging-health-benefits. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.