The American Red Cross, which is responsible for nearly half of the U.S. blood donation, has declared an emergency blood shortage as of December 2024. A stocked blood supply is essential, often meaning the difference between life and death for patients undergoing surgeries, suffering traumatic injuries from car accidents, experiencing childbirth complications, or battling chronic
Developmental biologist John Wallingford, in We’re all Developmental Biologists argued that anyone who has ever wondered how a loved one’s pregnancy is going “has contemplated the embryo.” Humans have naturally been curious about how organisms grow to become a certain species, and as such I found myself pulled into dev bio research too. Developmental Biology
If you want to travel somewhere to reconnect with nature and learn about ancient history, go to Mexico City. South of this metropolitan city is 22,000 acres of “floating gardens” interconnected by an intricate water canal system. These floating gardens, known as chinampas, are an ancient Mesoamerican agricultural practice that is still used today. At
If you’ve spent a significant amount of time on the South campus of the University of Georgia, you’ve probably heard talk of the “Warnowl,” and maybe even seen it once or twice. Students have affectionately awarded this name to the barred owl that frequents the trees surrounding the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
Ask a shelter worker what’s the most difficult moment in their job. In an open-admission, municipal shelter, you’re likely to get one answer- euthanasia. When a vivid life sits in front of you with its bright, shiny eyes, ending it with your own hands is one of the toughest things for any human being. The
The next time you and your friends share some fries, impress them with some knowledge on your favorite side dish. They’ll be amazed to learn that potato is the world’s third most consumed food crop and America’s favorite vegetable (according to the US Department of Agriculture). Strangely enough though, potatoes haven’t always been a fan
If you have ever driven on a rural road, you have likely seen flowers in small patches of land on the roadside. While it is easy to write these habitat patches off as “just some on the roadside,” they actually serve as some of the last remnants of the American prairie. Before the colonization of
For the first time in two decades, stargazers across the southern United States have been dazzled by colorful, undulating waves of light in the night sky. These so-called Northern Lights are vibrant displays of the interaction between electrons and ions emitted by the Sun and the Earth’s upper atmosphere. While this interaction usually occurs closer
Fall can be a very exciting time of year for Georgia. After enduring high summer heat and humidity in the fall we welcome brisk mornings with hot coffee or tea in hand, holiday decorating for Halloween and Thanksgiving, and the beautiful yellow, orange, and red colors of autumn. September and October can be an especially
It’s fourth down with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. Your favorite team has the ball on their 40-yard line, with 6 yards to go for a first down. They’re down by a touchdown; it’s an obvious punting situation, so you go to grab some more wings anticipating a commercial break. “They’re going for
I remember when I fell in love with science. It was when I saw the T. Rex for the first time in Jurassic Park. This book and movie, despite their flaws in technical science, made a career in molecular biology seem easy, especially because they recreated dinosaurs. The author and director of the movie took
Shai-hulud, or the giant sandworm, exists in Dune both as a mode of transportation, a generator of spice, and a key player in the ecological niche of Arrakkis. In the book by Frank Herbert and the movie adaptation (Dune part 1 2021 and Dune part 2 2024 directed by Denis Villenueve), the sandworm plays a
