Staff Writer Meredith Wadman joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss the risk of the novel coronavirus infection to pregnant women. Early data suggest expectant women are more likely to get severe forms of the infection and require hospitalization. Meredith describes how the biology of pregnancy—such as changes to the maternal immune system and added stress on the heart and lungs—might explain the harsher effects of the virus.
Also this week, Sarah talks with Gianluca Roscioli about his experiments with commercial razor blades and real human hair. By using a scanning electron microscope, he was able to show how something relatively soft like hair is able to damage something 50 times harder like stainless steel.
NPR New Now: The Beirut explosion killed at least 135 people, the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, and other top news.
NPR Up First reports: The death toll is rising from yesterday’s explosions in Beirut. A longtime incumbent loses in Missouri’s Democratic Primary. And, some U.S COVID-19 relief checks were sent to non-American workers overseas.
This week, Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden is supposed to decide on his pick for a running mate. How he’s selecting her says a lot about how Biden might govern.
Atlantic Sea Farms is the largest commercial seaweed farm in the U.S. They line-grow their seaweed in clear, icy cold Maine waters. The seaweed — which is sold frozen in pureed cubes and in ready to eat cut strands and fermented products — is never dyed or dehydrated.
This week, lawmakers in Capitol Hill are trying to piece together the next stimulus package as many benefits like unemployment insurance and forgiving evictions expire. Democrats and Republicans both agree that a new bill is necessary but there’s been a lot of back and forth about the specifics. And they’re running out of time.
Boomers Daily 