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The Pet Food Recall Puzzle: Who, What, Why, And How Much, Roxanne Greitz Miller

Education Faculty Articles and Research

Last spring, North America was gripped in the largest pet food recall in history. News outlets reported tens of thousands of dogs and cats becoming ill, and many dying, as a result of ingesting contaminated pet food. Several pet owners have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers and distributors of the pet food products. I think this is an excellent real-life science story to use with students to show science investigation in action, and to discuss the intersections between the role of regulatory agencies and the public.

In order to understand the case, you first have to know the facts. We'll …

Making Some Bones About It, Roxanne Greitz Miller, Frank Frisch

Education Faculty Articles and Research

The article discusses the importance of bone tissue to human beings and the ways to help students to understand its functions. The bone tissue forms the human skeleton to produce varied motions such as walking and talking. In addition, it protects the vital organs of a person and contributes the development of blood. The bone is composed of bone matrix, a dense material occupied by calcium and potassium salts. The matrix comprises several cell types including osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts. According to the author, a continuous influx of new calcium is necessary because of the constant remodeling of bone tissue. …