Pregnant women with COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, are at increased risk of severe disease and mortality as well as pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and preterm birth. COVID-19 is therefore particularly dangerous during pregnancy, as both the mother and fetus are... click to read more

The brain regulates changes in its own blood flow depending on how active its cells (neurons) are, by a mechanism called neurovascular coupling. When neurons become active, they send messages to nearby blood vessels causing them to dilate and bring in more blood. This increased... click to read more

Twinkle, twinkle, little star. Why do the stars twinkle? It is because of the turbulence in the atmosphere. You may hear turbulence from the airplane broadcast when the airplane is shaking. The turbulence shakes not only airplanes, but also the light from the stars, by altering... click to read more

Smell is one of the fundamental senses in life: responsible for the recognition of environmental hazards, such as gas leaks, smoke inhalation, and spoiled foods, and yet also essential to our ability to enjoy meals beyond simple nourishment, appreciate the scents that define our environment,... click to read more

Volcanoes shape the surface of the Earth, by bringing molten rock from the deep interior to the surface and creating the crust. The majority of the Earth’s volcanism happens at plate boundaries, so called inter-plate volcanism, including the mid-ocean ridges (like the East Pacific Rise... click to read more