After fulfilling the main purpose of our trip—to build relationships with universities in Santiago, the capital city of Chile—we headed north to the Atacama Desert, the driest non-polar desert in the world. The small town of San Pedro de Atacama serves as a starting point for adventure travelers looking to experience all this beautiful landscape … Continue reading A 10,000-Foot View from the ALMA Observatory in Atacama
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If Only Birds Could Compete in the Summer Games
Endurance is a hard-won characteristic of many elite athletes and is vital to winning most sporting competitions. If great frigatebirds could compete this summer, they would certainly take home a medal for endurance flight. Frigatebirds are large sea birds with wingspans of more than six feet across. They are really good at gliding and can … Continue reading If Only Birds Could Compete in the Summer Games
In Santiago, What’s Smog Got to Do with It?
Smog hangs over the city of Santiago, Chile. Credit: Anne Crecelius Upon arriving in Santiago, Chile, my travel companions from the University of Dayton and I were struck by the beautiful sights of the Andes mountains and the not-so-beautiful sight of a cloud of smog hanging over the city. Like many major metropolitan areas, such … Continue reading In Santiago, What’s Smog Got to Do with It?
Physiology Is Alive and Well, Just Ask an Undergraduate Student
When you think of a cutting-edge, exciting area of science, do you think of physiology? If not, you should. Physiology is the basis for medicine. Many important medical advances that we take for granted today are direct or indirect results of research conducted by physiologists. But despite the significance of our area of research, some … Continue reading Physiology Is Alive and Well, Just Ask an Undergraduate Student
Learning about a Leading Cause of Infant Mortality from Lambs
Pulmonary hypertension is a form of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels in the lungs. In the womb, the blood pressure in the fetus’ lungs is normally high. Once a baby is born, there is a switch from a high to low blood pressure. When this fails to happen, the baby develops pulmonary … Continue reading Learning about a Leading Cause of Infant Mortality from Lambs
Dear Mom: Happy Mother’s Day … and Thanks for Sharing Your Bones
Warning! Understatement of the year to follow: Many fascinating changes take place in a mother’s body during and after pregnancy. One of the most interesting changes for many new moms, myself included, is breastfeeding. Often called “nature’s perfect baby food,” breast milk seems to contain an almost magical mix of essential elements—proteins, fats, carbohydrates, water, … Continue reading Dear Mom: Happy Mother’s Day … and Thanks for Sharing Your Bones
Is Two Better Than One? What We’re Learning from the Unique Crocodile Heart
Crocodiles are amazing animals. I admit that I am partial as a comparative physiologist who has studied them for many years, but I’m not alone in finding their interesting history and uncommon characteristics fascinating. Crocodilians have a unique heart that shares anatomical features with reptiles, birds and mammals. The crocodilian heart has four chambers with … Continue reading Is Two Better Than One? What We’re Learning from the Unique Crocodile Heart