Pandemic adds to pregnancy stress

+ questions about restarting Big Ten football US Edition - Today's top story: Pregnancy during a pandemic: The stress of COVID-19 on pregnant women and new mothers is showing [View in browser]( US Edition | 23 September 2020 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair Every pregnant woman experiences stress, but the stress level for women pregnant in the pandemic is something different – and potentially dangerous. Researchers have long understood that levels of the stress hormone cortisol rise in pregnant women. That is normal, to a degree. Jennifer Ablow of the University of Oregon and Elinor Sullivan of Oregon Health Science University explain that high levels of cortisol can harm a developing fetus and [cause developmental problems in early childhood](. Also today: - [What the experts say about airborne transmission]( - [When journalists bashed polls]( - [A language generation program that can write poetry]( And we’d also like to invite you to a webinar with two of our authors discussing “The Future of the Office” after the pandemic. You are welcome to join us on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 4-5 p.m. EDT/1-2 p.m. PDT. [RSVP today]( for what is sure to be an engaging discussion. Lynne Anderson Senior Health + Medicine Editor COVID-19 has drastically changed the hospital experience. Daniel Berehulak via Getty Images [Pregnancy during a pandemic: The stress of COVID-19 on pregnant women and new mothers is showing]( Jennifer C. Ablow, University of Oregon; Elinor Sullivan, Oregon Health & Science University Born into a coronavirus world: how new parents and infants can stay safe. Health + Medicine - [How the coronavirus spreads through the air: 5 essential reads]( Stacy Morford, The Conversation Scientists explain what you need to know about the COVID-19 risks in the air, from how aerosols form to how to keep kids safe on a school bus. - [How and when will we know that a COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective?]( William Petri, University of Virginia Several vaccines are in Phase 3 trials. So when will we know whether any of these will protect against COVID-19? Environment + Energy - [It’s time for states that grew rich from oil, gas and coal to figure out what’s next]( Bradley Handler, Colorado School of Mines; Matt Henry, University of Wyoming; Morgan Bazilian, Colorado School of Mines The pandemic recession has reduced US energy demand, roiling budgets in states that are major fossil fuel producers. But politics and culture can impede efforts to look beyond oil, gas and coal. Politics/Election '20 - [Want the youth vote? Some college students are still up for grabs in November]( Matthew J. Mayhew, The Ohio State University; Christa Winkler, Mississippi State University; Kevin Singer, North Carolina State University; Musbah Shaheen, The Ohio State University Researchers examined the voting behavior of 5,762 students at 120 colleges and universities. Two groups stood out as an untapped electoral resource – if the candidates can turn out Gen Z. - [When noted journalists bashed political polls as nothing more than ‘a fragmentary snapshot’ of a moment in time]( W. Joseph Campbell, American University School of Communication There was a time when well-known journalists resented preelection polls and didn’t mind saying so. One even said he felt “secret glee and relief when the polls go wrong.” Why did they feel this way? - [Unlike US, Europe picks top judges with bipartisan approval to create ideologically balanced high courts]( David Orentlicher, University of Nevada, Las Vegas The Supreme Court doesn't have to be so polarized. Many European countries make judicial appointments in a term-limited, intentionally depoliticized way to promote consensus and compromise. Education - [Revenue goals lurk behind decision to hold Big Ten college football games amid pandemic]( Mark S. Rosentraub, University of Michigan Medical School A sports management scholar weighs in on the potential consequences of holding Big Ten football games in the fall instead of waiting for a vaccine or better safety procedures. Science + Technology - [3 research-based ways to cope with the uncertainties of pandemic life]( Bethany Teachman, University of Virginia Feel like you're facing too many pandemic-related unknowns? Reframing what it means to not know can help you break the uncertainty-anxiety connection. Arts + Culture - [A language generation program’s ability to write articles, produce code and compose poetry has wowed scientists]( Prasenjit Mitra, Pennsylvania State University GPT-3 is the biggest, most creative language generation program to date. But with awesome power comes awesome responsibility. Most read on site - [Does forgetting a name or word mean that I have dementia?]( Laurie Archbald-Pannone, University of Virginia September is Alzheimer's Awareness Month and therefore a good time to talk about dementia. Alzheimer's is the most common dementia, but there are others to be aware of, a gerontologist explains. - [SARS-CoV-2 infection can block pain, opening up unexpected new possibilities for research into pain relief medication]( Rajesh Khanna, University of Arizona The SARS-CoV-2 virus usually infects the body via the ACE2 protein. But there is another entry point that allows the virus to infect the nervous system and block pain perception. - [Can Trump and McConnell get through the 4 steps to seat a Supreme Court justice in just 6 weeks?]( Caren Morrison, Georgia State University Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death has sparked a battle over the future of the Supreme Court. Against that backdrop, a nominee faces prescribed steps towards a confirmation vote in the Senate. You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe](. 89 South Street - Suite 202 Boston, MA 02111