 
					Aayushi Pratap
Science Writing Intern, Fall 2020
Aayushi Pratap was a fall 2020 science writing intern. She has a master’s degree in science and health journalism from Columbia University, as well as a master’s degree in biochemistry and a bachelor’s degree in zoology. Previously she worked as a health reporter with the Hindustan Times in Mumbai, India, covering public health. In her spare time, she swims, plays mediocre tennis and creates doodle art.
 
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All Stories by Aayushi Pratap
- 			 Life LifeDog ticks may get more of a taste for human blood as the climate changesAt high temperatures, some brown dog ticks that can carry the bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever seem to prefer humans over dogs. 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineProtecting the brain from infection may start with a gut reactionIn mice, immune cells in the meninges are trained to battle infections in the gut before migrating to the brain. 
- 			 Animals AnimalsA surprisingly tiny ancient sea monster lurked in shallow watersScientists have found a new species of marine reptiles called nothosaurs from around 240 million years ago. 
- 			 Humans HumansThe longest trail of fossilized human footprints hints at a risky Ice Age trekResearchers have discovered the world's longest trail of fossilized human footprints at White Sands National Park, New Mexico. 
- 			 Animals AnimalsFire ants build little syphons out of sand to feed without drowningTo escape a watery death, some fire ants use build sand structures that draw the insects’ sugary, liquid food out of containers and to a safer place. 
- 			 Animals AnimalsThis rare bird is male on one side and female on the otherResearchers at Powdermill Nature Reserve near Pittsburgh spotted a bird with pink male coloring on half of its body and yellow female hues on the other. 
- 			 Space SpaceA new moon radiation measurement may help determine health risks to astronautsChina's lunar lander measured radiation at the moon’s surface, finding the daily dose is 2.6 times as high as inside the International Space Station.