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Editor's note
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A growing bump and swollen ankles are among more obvious signs that someone is pregnant. But some of its effects on the body are less obvious than others. It can actually change the way the immune system and metabolism function.
As pregnancy progresses, natural changes in metabolism ensure the baby gets enough glucose and that the mother gets enough energy too. Meanwhile, changes to white blood cell levels in the immune system protect both mother and baby, and actually optimise the little one’s development.
But this is more than an interesting quirk about being pregnant. If we can understand how and why the body changes the way it uses sugars, fats and proteins, before, during and after pregnancy, it may reveal why things like miscarriages happen, or why women get gestational diabetes. Researchers think this may help us understand how cancer and other diseases work.
And neuroscientists have been working out what happens to our brains in zero gravity on special simulated flights, others have been looking at how the women’s vote is shifting ahead of elections in
Israel.
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Top stories
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Some changes are more noticeable than others during pregnancy.
Thanakorn.P/Shutterstock
April Rees, Swansea University; Ben Jenkins, Swansea University; Catherine Thornton, Swansea University
Understanding how pregnancy changes some of the body's fundamental systems could help treat cancer and other diseases.
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Image courtesy of author
Elisa Raffaella Ferrè, Royal Holloway
The constant pressure of gravity affects our thoughts and perception, but it's so constant we haven't noticed – until now.
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Ayelet Shaked, leader of the right wing Yamina alliance.
Abir Sultan/EPA
Einat Gedalya-Lavy, Newcastle University
As Israelis head to the polls for the second time in 2019, what role will gender play in the vote?
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Environment + Energy
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Ria Dunkley, University of Glasgow
By leading school children through the wonders of the natural world, teachers could help raise environmental stewards.
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Ash Murphy, Keele University
Scientists from all over the world agree that the impacts of climate change will get worse, unless action is taken now.
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Catherine Happer, University of Glasgow
Climate engagement still tends to increase with education and income.
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Health + Medicine
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Jean Golding, University of Bristol
New study finds a link between taking paracetamol during pregnancy and behaviour problems up to age eight.
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Thomas Keegan, Lancaster University; Rhiannon Edge, Lancaster University
From fear of needles to religious beliefs, there are all sorts of reasons why people choose not to vaccinate.
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Cities
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Drishty Sobnath, Solent University; Ikram Ur Rehman, University of West London
Connected technology could help the visually impaired to recognise people, places or even bank notes.
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Business + Economy
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Holly Patrick, Edinburgh Napier University
And how companies can let dogs in without scaring off any humans.
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