Life Sciences Commons^™

Development Of A Novel Biology Laboratory Course For Incarcerated Students, Elsa H.K. Spencer, Joanna R. Vondrasek

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

Federal second chance Pell grants were recently made widely available to incarcerated students in the United States to fund undergraduate education. Piedmont Virginia Community College was a pilot site for this expansion and began full scale implementation of transfer-oriented associate degrees at three correctional centers in its service area. The college did not have a biology laboratory curriculum that would meet general education requirements and be feasible in a correctional center, where students do not have internet access or even reliable computer (word processing or spreadsheet) access and where materials are restricted for entry. This paper will serve to introduce …

Dna Evidence: The Forensic Tool That Provides Both Accuracy And A Violation Of Privacy, Garrett Malove

Student Writing

DNA Forensics, the use of DNA by law enforcement in investigations, has been the most effective tool for solving crimes in human history. Through the over 90% accuracy it provides, it has caught repeat offenders, solved cold cases sooner, and exonerated innocent individuals. However, throughout the 2010s, especially after the Maryland v. King decision in 2013 which mandated the collection of DNA from individuals arrested for felonies, privacy concerns have been raised not just for the arrestees themselves, but for the current free access law enforcement has to DNA databases. Those who support the status quo, being the idea that …

Sunscreen Efficacy By Chemical Composition And Its Effect On Aquatic Life, Taylor Yates

Student Writing

Sunscreen provides protection against skin cancer by reducing UV exposure to the skin. Active ingredients come in two basic forms, chemical and mineral; ongoing research indicates that some active ingredients in sunscreen are harmful to marine life. This study is an analysis of chemical and mineral SPF 30 sunscreens to determine which provides the highest efficacy for skin protection while also providing the lowest toxicity to aquatic organisms. Sunscreen efficacy was tested by exposing photoreactive chemical paper applied with chemical and mineral sunscreens to the sun. Results of the photo effect paper trial showed a wide variation in the efficacy …

The Effects Of Ghost Fishing On Crab And Fish Populations, Jewel Mitchell

Student Writing

Ghost fishing is when lost or discarded fishing gear is no longer under a fisherman’s control and is also known as derelict fishing gear or DFG. The most common types of derelict fishing gear to ghost fish are gill-nets and crab pots/traps, along with long-lines and trawls. Ghost fishing is a major problem in many ecosystems around the world. Like all types of marine debris, ghost fishing has a wide range of impacts on the environment, conservation of species, human health, tourism and local economies. This experiment was conducted over the course of three months in different areas of Perrin …

Under The Needle: Understanding The Benefits And Misconceptions Of Vaccinations, Desmond Davis

Student Writing

By and large, medical and government institutions such as the CDC have been primarily responsible for educating the public on the necessities of vaccinations, and quelling fears regarding them. As the world becomes more connected, proponents of the anti-vaccination movement find common ground via social media platforms and other outlets from which to confirm preexisting notions that vaccines are detrimental to recipients. This places a burden on both the aforementioned institutions as well as the general public to deal with potential outbreaks before they either resurge from previously low infectivity rates, or before they reach epidemic proportions.

The Link Between Vaccination And Autism, Erika Tellez

Student Writing

Vaccination provides individuals with protection against many preventable diseases, yet many claims against vaccination have causes vaccination rates to drop. Vaccination rates have dropped after a claim that vaccines offset autism was published. Although vaccination is necessary in order to prevent the spread of diseases throughout the population and in order to protect individuals who cannot be vaccinated. The claim that there is a link between vaccines and autism has been disproven based on lack of communication between the scientific community and public, discovery of falsified evidence, and further studies which demonstrate there is no link.

Developing A Method For Fluorescent Antibody Tagging For Identification Of Female Cells In Mixed Forensic Samples, Reilly Price

Student Writing

In the subject of forensic science and crime scene investigation, DNA has become more valuable than ever in providing crucial information for investigators. As the number of wrongful convictions decreases and the number of exonerations increases, DNA testing is the answer to accurately solving crimes. The purpose of this experiment was to study whether or not fluorescent tagging would be an effective method of identifying and separating male and female cells. It sought to determine if immunofluorescence can be applied to forensic science and technology. Rather than spending time sorting through the victim’s DNA in order to get to the …

Nitrogen Contamination Of Groundwater In Proximity To A Closed Landfill And Active Agricultural Fields, Brooke Daniel

Student Writing

Carcinogenic compounds in drinking water are becoming a significant health problem. Increased use of artificial fertilizers, disposal of wastes, and land use are the main factors responsible for increased nitrate levels in groundwater over the last 30 years. This study examined the correlation between nitrate levels and proximity to a closed, inactive garbage dump located in Middlesex, Virginia. This study also examined the correlation between nitrate levels and proximity to agricultural fields. Twenty-five sampling sites were identified on the GIS tax maps of Middlesex County, Virginia. Fifteen sites were identified within a two kilometer radius of the VPPSA landfill, also …

Autism And Vaccines: Exploring Misperceptions In Science, Arsenio Menendez

Student Writing

This paper will be exploring the supposed link between vaccines and autism which is a hot button topic as of late. Starting at the roots of where this myth began with the infamous and long since disproved initial paper penned by Andrew Wakefield. As of late with the ever-rising numbers of parents deciding to forego the vaccination of their children there is an increasing risk of herd immunity failing leading to old diseases that had been wiped out making a massive resurgence. Detailed in my research findings will be data driven explorations of psychology and human nature changing perception of …

When Extinction Is More Ethical Than Conservation: The Endangered Species Act And The Keystone Dilemma, Miranda F. Thomas

Exigence

This paper examines how the Endangered Species Act's measures to protect endangered species have resulted in increased rates of extinction. The author summarizes the concept of endangered keystone species and explains the processes and operations of the environmental legislation enacted to protect the species. The paper discusses the harmful consequences that certain laws have had on both species and humans, such as misappropriating resources to species that are not as endangered as others, and abusing regulations in manners that punish people for conservation efforts. By examining opposing arguments that favor increased regulation, this paper explains through data from leading academic …

Hunting A Home: The Abandonment And Neglect Of Hunting Dogs, Jamie B. Walker

Exigence

Each year, an immeasurable number of hunting dogs are found in emaciated, malnourished or even abusive conditions due to neglect and abandonment by their owners. These dogs, primarily hounds, have increasingly become a burden on animal shelters and have cast a negative light on hunting with dogs, particularly in Virginia. The difficulty in identifying the owners of these dogs has stymied law enforcement and animal welfare authorities for years. Mandatory microchipping, now compulsory in England, may be the key to protecting talented working dogs from neglect, cruelty and abandonment by uncaring owners. These microchips can allow abandoned animals to lead …

The Controversy Of Sunscreen Ingredients: Examining The Relationship Between Oxybenzone And Butylparaben On Stylophorum Pistillata, Brian K. Lee, Natalia Corvalan, Jae Z. Saraum

Exigence

Abstract

The basis of this proposal is to understand the relationship between select UV filters and coral bleaching and provide a framework for additional research. Coral reefs are home to a diversity of marine life and are keystones to major coastal economies around the world. Oxybenzone and butylparaben are major ingredients found in sunscreen that induces coral bleaching to major coral reefs. To alleviate the negative effects, this proposal will attempt to better understand how oxybenzone and butylparaben facilitates coral bleaching and develop an effective and environmentally fair sunscreen. The research proposed will be funded by donors to cover research, …

Dawn Of The Lawn, David M. Guy

Exigence

Drawing on both electronic and print sources, this research seeks to explore the cultural, economic, and environmental implications of the American lawn and suggest the need to awaken a cultural discussion aimed at harmonizing one’s landscape with reality. The lawn penetrates the American’s daily life, yet few stop to examine the origins and effects of the lawn. Involving many of the leading academic voices in this subject, this work further aims to ignite a diverse discussion of the lawn’s connection to oil, fertilizers, pesticides, drinking water, and individual’s behavior. Considerable evidence supports the notion that the lawn can be conformed …

Establishing The Ratio Of Rock Salts And Organic Compounds To Reduce The Number Of Chloride And Sodium Ions In The Soil When De-Icing Roads, Peter J. Nieves, Taegeun Ohe, Juliette Degraff, Meg Greer

Exigence

The research analyzes the amount of salt being dumped onto roads and its effect on trees, specifically the Red Maple and Eastern Hemlock. The goal is to find an alternative to rock salt without completely eliminating its use. The experiment involves using three different alternatives-volcanic mineral, beet juice, cheese brine-and constructing a ratio between a baseline amount of salt and alternative. The result of this is to find the smallest amount of salt needed to efficiently melt ice and cause least damage to trees. Analyzing leaf water content will show which alternative works best.

A Novel Method Of Removing Excess Algae In The Chesapeake Bay Region Using Natural Polymers And Ferroferric Oxide, Rashika Budhathoki, Muska Sekandiri, Luis Francia

Exigence

In this article, the authors argue for an improved success rate for removing excess algae from the Chesapeake Bay via magnetic polymers.

A Consideration Of Hydraulic Fracturing In The United States, Sarah Wagner

Student Writing

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of The Allelopathic Relationship Between Basil (Ocimum Basilicum) And Tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum) As An Alternative To Fertilizer, Keondra Jenkins

Student Writing

Allelopathy is a trait within certain organisms that allows them to produce and secrete certain biochemical that have various effects on other organism’s growth, survival, and reproduction processes. This study compared the growth results of the allelopathic relationship between basil and tomatoes against fertilized tomatoes and untreated tomatoes. With the information from this study and conclusions can be made about whether or not allelopathic or “companion planting” can serve as a viable alternative for fertilizer.

After nearly 5 months of growth, the allelopathic properties of basil were found to be equal, if not more, beneficial to the growth of the …

The Effect Of Changes In Ph On The Production And Respiration Rates Of Native Tape Grass, Vallisneria Americana, Adam Parker

Student Writing

In the past century, the world has seen an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. The rise in CO2 can put stress on aquatic ecosystems due to ocean acidification, an overall decrease in the pH of the ocean’s waters. Freshwater ecosystems, already stressed by pollution and recent increases in the number of invasive species are also showing signs of acidification due to the increase in CO2. The effect of the rise in acidity is known to be harmful to calcifying organisms, but the effect on freshwater submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is not well studied. The …