Donavyn Coffey is a Kentucky-based health and environment journalist reporting on healthcare, food systems and anything you can CRISPR. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, Wired UK, Popular Science and Youth Today, among others. Donavyn was a Fulbright Fellow to Denmark where she studied molecular nutrition and food policy. She holds a bachelor's degree in biotechnology from the University of Kentucky and master's degrees in food technology from Aarhus University and journalism from New York University.
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Can stress turn hair gray?Science suggests the answer is "yes".
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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Does the moon affect menstrual cycles?Studies suggest synchronizations in the lunar and menstrual cycles are down to random chance.
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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What is a squall?There are different types of squalls, including a sudden windy cold front and a short-term burst of heavy snow and wind.
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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Why do horses wear shoes?What happens to wild horses that don't have shoes?
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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How do smelling salts work?Smelling salts are found in Victorian novels to rouse fainting women and on the sports field to possibly help athletes. But how do they work?
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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Where on Earth does the sun rise first?Where does the first sunrise happen every day and which place sees the first sunrise of the New Year?
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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How do you break a habit?Habits can be hard to break, but here are a few ways you can do it.
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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Octopuses may be so terrifyingly smart because they share humans' genes for intelligenceGenetic analysis of octopuses identified DNA sequences in their brains called transposons, which may help regulate learning.
By Donavyn Coffey Last updated
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If blood is red, why do veins look bluish?Blood is always red, and veins look blue or green because the skin filters light wavelengths differently.
By Donavyn Coffey Last updated
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Massive Martian meteor impact was largest ever recorded in solar systemA magnitude 4 marsquake that rocked the Red Planet in 2021 is the result of a massive meteor impact, two new studies revealed.
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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What Is Coral Bleaching?Nature's red flag is the eerie white glow of one of the ocean's most biologically rich ecosystems.
By Donavyn Coffey Last updated
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Why is alcohol used to preserve things?Here's how alcohol can help preserve DNA, tissue samples and even entire organisms.
By Donavyn Coffey Last updated
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What is gluten?Reference Gluten refers to the proteins found in wheat endosperm. Some people are gluten-intolerant, but a gluten-free diet is not for everyone.
By Alina Bradford Last updated
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Does walking bring on labor?It's commonly said that walking will help to bring on labor. While it's no guarantee as it doesn't induce labor contractions, walking helps the cervix prepare for the birth.
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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Broken fortress discovered under 'mega-monument' burial mound in CyprusArchaeologists in Cyprus have unearthed a broken rampart, or a part of a defensive wall, under a massive burial mound.
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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Why does Christianity have so many denominations?Schisms within the church have led to more and more denominations over the millennia.
By Donavyn Coffey Last updated
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Will eating pet food kill you?Chowing down pet food may not be as safe as it used to be.
By Donavyn Coffey Last updated
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Does the human body replace itself every 7 years?Your body's cells are constantly replicating themselves, but the rate of renewal depends on where those cells are located and what they do.
By Donavyn Coffey Last updated
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Man’s 'overzealous' vitamin D use led to overdose, hospitalizationA man's overzealous intake of vitamin D supplements ended poorly, requiring a hospital stay for over a week.
By Donavyn Coffey Last updated
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How does soap kill germs?Soap is great at getting rid of pathogenic bacteria and viruses because of its molecular structure.
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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Why can't babies drink cow's milk?Milk isn't the same across species. Here's the science of why babies shouldn't drink cow's milk until they're older.
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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Why does eating pineapple make your mouth tingle?Is it the combination of the pineapple's acidity and the enzyme complex called bromelain that likely make your mouth sore.
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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Why are there so many giants in the deep sea?Here's the science behind why some deep sea creatures — such as squids, sharks, sea spiders and worms — get so giant.
By Donavyn Coffey Published
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Why do microwaves cook food so much faster than ovens do?Here's the science behind how ovens and microwaves differ in the food-heating process.
By Donavyn Coffey Published

