A new study finds that the muscles in bats’ wings operate at a significantly lower temperature than their bodies, especially during flight. Past research suggests that in most other creatures, including humans, muscles involved in exercise become warmer in response to movement. But the small muscles of a bat’s wing are uniquely vulnerable to heat loss during flight, as they’re covered by only a thin layer of skin — and warming them up would be inefficient from the standpoint of energy use.

“We tend to assume that warm-blooded animals are warm all the time,” said doctoral student Andrea Rummel, who authored the study alongside Brown biologists Sharon Swartz and Richard Marsh. “But this research shows that warm-blooded animals have a lot more variation in body temperature than we expected. That has implications for how animals are moving around, including humans.” Read more.

A free conference on October 4 is open to all Brown PhD students who may be interested in careers at teaching intensive institutions. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Westfield State University. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from and network with faculty and deans from a range of teaching-intensive institutions across the New England region. They will be available to review and offer advice on CVs and cover letters as well. Learn more and register.

Beginning this academic year, all medical and graduate students will have free and unlimited access to Brown Recreation's group fitness classes. Nearly 100 classes are offered per week and include strength training, kickboxing, cardio, yoga, dance and more. Starting Tuesday, September 10, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7-8 am, the Astronaut Training club will host a graduate/medical student only workout class led by certified group fitness instructors designed to get the heart rate up (through cardio, toning, and interval training) and meet students from other departments. Read more.

Community Fellows, both master’s and doctoral students, have the opportunity to create events and projects for the purpose of building graduate student community and fostering a graduate culture that respects and celebrates diversity, inclusion, and equity. Fellows will work in pairs to foster community in the following areas: race and social justice, international community, wellness and health, family-friendly, and master’s student community. Info session is on Monday, September 9 at 4:05 pm in Horace Mann, Room 103 at 47 George St. This session will cover the program’s goals, structure, past successes, funding, application process, and timeline. Learn more.