Sahana Sitaraman

Sahana Sitaraman

Science writer

Sahana Sitaraman is a science writer based in Lausanne, Switzerland, specializing in biology. She particularly enjoys writing about unusual animal behaviours and the neuroscience behind them, mental health and women in STEM. She also dabbles in illustrating cool findings that pique her interest. In her free time, Sahana can be found out on a hike, acting it up with the local improv group or painting. She holds a bachelor's degree in microbiology from the University of Delhi, India and a master's and PhD in life sciences from the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, India.

Latest articles by Sahana Sitaraman

Endometriosis may quadruple risk of ovarian cancer, study finds

By Sahana Sitaraman published

Women with severe endometriosis are 10 times more likely to get ovarian cancer, while people with endometriosis of any severity are four times as likely, a study suggests. But patients shouldn't panic.

Fertility, Pregnancy & Birth
Colorful illustration of three illuminated DNA molecules against a black background

'Fossil viruses' embedded in the human genome linked to psychiatric disorders

By Sahana Sitaraman published

Certain stretches of ancient viral DNA in the human genome may increase the chances of developing three neuropsychiatric disorders.

Genetics
illustration of the X chromosome floating next to a Y chromosome. Both are depicted in green and yellow.

Scientists made mice with Y chromosomes female by deleting just 6 tiny molecules

By Sahana Sitaraman published

Scientists discovered that removing specific molecules from developing mice can completely reverse their sex from male to female.

Sex
photo of young woman holding up a mouth spray in preparation to spritz it into her mouth

New UTI vaccine wards off infection for years, early studies suggest

By Sahana Sitaraman published

More than 50% of the patients who used a new mouth-spray-based vaccine didn't have a UTI for up to nine years.

Medicine & Drugs
a large blue enzyme is shown interacting with a large purple DNA molecule and spitting out a red RNA molecule

Scientists just discovered a new way cells control their genes — it's called 'backtracking'

By Sahana Sitaraman published

Scientists have discovered that, when a DNA-reading enzyme moves backwards along a gene, it may do so to help control when the gene is turned on.

Genetics