The piece explains how the placenta, long revered in ritual and then dismissed as medical waste, is a dynamic, fetal-derived organ that forms within days of fertilization and is fully functional by week 12. It performs the fetus’s respiratory, digestive, metabolic and excretory jobs until birth, mediates nutrient and gas exchange, and secretes a suite of hormones and signaling molecules - hCG to sustain the corpus luteum, progesterone and estrogens, placental lactogen, relaxin, cytokines and prostaglandins - that reshape the mother’s cardiovascular, metabolic, immune systems and brain to support pregnancy and trigger labor. Research from maternal neuroscience shows placental hormones rewire maternal neural circuits in ways that affect gestation, childbirth and postpartum mental health.
Scientific study of placental development has clarified major pregnancy disorders and suggested broader biomedical applications. A leading explanation for preeclampsia - affecting about 5 percent of pregnancies - posits inadequate remodeling of maternal blood vessels feeding the placenta, producing reduced perfusion that prompts compensatory signaling, maternal hypertension, proteinuria and, in severe cases, HELLP. Parallels between placental and cancer cell behavior - tissue invasion, angiogenesis and immune evasion - have focused attention on the placenta as a model for controlled invasive growth, spawning initiatives such as the Human Placenta Project and cross-disciplinary research that uses placental biology to inform cancer and maternal-fetal health interventions.
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Navier-Stokes equations are fundamental in fluid dynamics and describe the motion of viscous fluids. Vi Hart's post explores their mathematical properties and significance in understanding fluid behavior. (patreon.com)
Swordfish washing up on British Columbia's coast indicates changes in ocean conditions and ecosystems. Scientists study these events to understand broader impacts of climate change on marine life. (phys.org)
Delegates will soon vote on whether to eliminate the leap second, which has been added irregularly to keep atomic clocks aligned with Earth's rotation. If approved, a leap hour could be observed in the distant future to replace the leap second. (abc.net.au)
Researchers have used a novel cell reprogramming technique to rejuvenate eye cells in a Phase 1 trial, showing early signs of improved vision in two patients. This approach, approved by the FDA, reverts diseased cells to a healthier state, potentially advancing treatments for eye diseases like glaucoma. (time.com)
Holography was once considered a promising imaging technology, but it has not become widespread or mainstream. Advances have been limited, and the field remains mostly in research and specialized applications. (americanscientist.org)
Researchers have developed temporary tattoos that can be turned on and off using specific stimuli. These tattoos are designed to be reversible and controllable, offering new possibilities for wearable technology and personalization. (livescience.com)
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