Life Sciences Commons^™

Moments The Adventure Of Life, Adrienne Fletcher

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

The purpose of the adventure is to educate the public on how decision may impact different health issues. For example, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic lung disease in which the lungs cannot intake as much oxygen and cause obstructed airflow. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus build up and wheezing. Some risk factors are tobacco smoking, secondhand smoking or living in a polluted area.

Food Deserts, Linden Kelly

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Informing about what food deserts in America are and why they are important in hopes to get the word out about them and help solve this crisis.

Alternative Treatments To Koalas With Chlamydia, Kelsey Thornton

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Koala populations have declined rapidly in the past 2 decades due to many reasons such as disease, vehicle collisions, dog attacks, urbanization and deforestation, and climate-related issues. Chlamydia is one of the leading causes for population declines in koalas. Koalas are difficult to treat for chlamydia because antibiotic treatment kills the specialized gut bacteria they have and need for degrading toxic compounds within eucalyptus leaves, their only source of food. I propose that doxycycline, a drug with a 97% cure rate and reduced dysbiosis, to be administered at higher concentrations less frequently. Additionally, I propose that koalas treated with antibiotics …

Population Dynamics Of Waterfowl Wintering In The Mid-Atlantic Region, Usa, Abigail Harris, Thomas Hoke

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

A recent study (Rosenberg et al. 2019) has shown that bird populations in North America are experiencing major declines except for a few groups including waterfowl. However, this study focused only on the summer breeding populations and did not focus on regional dynamics. We utilized data from 62 Christmas Bird Count (CBC) count circles to evaluate population dynamics of common wintering waterfowl in the coastal Mid-Atlantic region (Delaware=7, Maryland=16, Virginia=18, North Carolina=21) since 1950. We found a 36% decline of wintering waterfowl relative abundance compared to 1950s. American wigeon and Canada goose had major population decreases while Snow goose had …

We Have A Bone To Pick, Madalyn Foster

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Join the adventure of life to find out if you know what contributes to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is diagnosed in 5.1% of men over 65 and in 24.5% of women over 65. Osteoporosis occurs when there has been an excess amount of bone loss or when the body does not make enough bone. Due to this, the bones become brittle and break easily. Factors that increase risk of diagnosis are sex, older age, family history, and diet. Furthermore, lifestyles that can affect the probability of the disease include a sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, and tobacco use. The most commonly affected …

Adios Adjuvant: Combination Immunotherapy For Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (All) Patients, Arleigh Wood

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Cancer treatments are shifting from heavy adjuvant therapies to immunological approaches, such as carT cell therapy. By simultaneously administering two known successful treatments for ALL, Blinatumomab and Kymriah, a high rate of remission can be accomplished in pediatric patients with relapsed ALL. Higher rates of remission, prolonged immunity, and less side effects are the projected results based on previously published studies. Combining these two therapies will likely produce more successful results compared to if the drugs were administered independently. This will hopefully translate into a faster return to daily living activities and less chronic effects during such an important developmental …

Combining Treatments For Opioid Addictions, Raquel Perez

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

In 2018 the National Survey of Drug Use and Health reported that 9.9 million people misused prescription pain relievers out of 10.3 million who reported using opioids. Opioid abuse has grown from just being considered a medical dilemma, it has clearly become a social and economic issue (Eaton and Vettese, 2020). This proposal will be investigating the combination of pre-existing pharmacological treatments and support group therapy. This is not a new concept however because of the nature of opioid addictions having severe withdrawal symptoms most treatments are primarily medication base. Drug addictions have been known to carry a negative stigma …

Identifying Fluctuating Asymmetry And Developmental Rate As Indicators Of Developmental Stability In Drosophila Melanogaster, Carrie N. Reaver

Longwood Senior Theses

Developmental stability is the ability of an individual to maintain proper development despite various environmental conditions, and thus has important implications for the health of an individual. Individuals with less stable development are thought to be at higher risk for developing non-communicable disease, such as diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease, during adolescence and adulthood. In bilateral organisms, developmental stability can be assessed by measuring deviations from perfect symmetry between the left and right sides of the body, known as Fluctuating Asymmetry. In this project, we measured the developmental rate and Fluctuating Asymmetry of Drosophila melanogaster while subjected to varying metabolic …

Mouthguard Efficacy In Baseball Pitching Velocity, Nathan Iskowitz

Longwood Senior Theses

Successful pitching in baseball may be due to several factors including the mechanics of the motion, the strength, power, flexibility of the athlete, as well as their intent and fatigue levels. The pitching motion is a very powerful, violent, complex and abnormal range of motion of the body. In recent studies, it has been widely evidenced that the ability to produce instantaneous high peak force outputs is related to success in sport. Therefore, the ability to produce higher peak force may be related to the ability to pitching in baseball. Mouthguards have been shown to significantly increase power production in …

Effect Of Different Music Genres On Cognitive Task Performance After High Intensity Interval Training, Derek Jones

Longwood Senior Theses

The effects of high intensity exercise on cognitive performance are not fully understood. Music can affect physiological responses to exercise which may also impact cognitive performance. The aim of this study was to determine if music could impact cognitive performance after a bout of high intensity exercise. METHODS: Twelve subjects (n=7 males, n=5 females, 20.3 ± 1.7 y; 72.2 ± 14.9 kg; 1.70 ± 0.09 m) completed the Stroop test after a short (12 min) bout of high intensity interval exercise while listening to either Classical, Rock, or No Music. Subjects completed the Brunel Music Rating Inventory after listening to …

Biol 250: Snps Found In The Ptc (Bitter Tasting) Gene, Katelin Savage

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

No abstract provided.

Genetic Variance In Flocculin Protein Family, Sarah Dooley, Dale Beach

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Yeast fermentation produces a number of commercially important products, most typically represented by alcoholic beverages. In craft breweries that do not use expensive filtration systems, selecting a yeast variety for fermentation can determine the clarity of the product from hazy Belgian pilsner to a crisp, clear American lager. Flocculation refers to a stress response behavior in yeast to group together (flocculate) in conditions like low sugar or high alcohol content as experienced at the end of fermentation. Higher levels of flocculation increase the clarity. The process of flocculation is genetically controlled through a series of complicated interactions and depends on …

Fact Or Myth: The Flu Can Be Caused By The Flu Vaccine, Arleigh Wood

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

To many, the flu vaccine seems like a threat to an otherwise healthy individual. People often get the flu after receiving the flu shot, which does not promote confidence in the general public. These and other reasonings have created a myth that the flu vaccine can cause the flu. Understanding how the vaccination is created and how it interacts with the immune system helps to realize why the flu vaccine cannot cause the virus. For the vaccine to work, adaptive immunity must be activated by the introduction of the viral particles in a safe manner. An effective immune response from …

Analyzing The Flight Patterns And Behavior Of Dragonflies Engaged In Aerial Territory Battles, Brandon Hastings, Brandon Jackson

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

It has previously been determined that male dragonflies occupying the most suitable territory within a habitat have a higher flight-muscle ratio (FMR) than those occupying poor territories, but it is unknown how this increased FMR relates to their flight patterns. This study examined the flight patterns of dragonflies engaged in aerial territory battles to investigate differences in maneuverability between winners and losers. 3D video data of dragonflies interacting in a natural habitat was analyzed for territorial flights. Winners showed a lower maximum angular velocity compared to losers.

The Efficacy Of Hand Washing And Cleaning And Disinfecting Methods, Christina J. Amoruso

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Potentially pathogenic microorganisms are often used in teaching laboratories. Several different cleaning methods are available and implemented in these laboratories. This project was originally aimed to determine the most efficient method of cleaning lab surfaces and student hands. The topic of this investigation became even more relevant due to the recent development with the COVID-19 pandemic. Efficient hand washing and cleaning methods are more important now than ever. The purpose of hand washing is to reduce the number of microorganisms from the hands (Michaels, 2002). Proper hand washing with friction and soap is necessary to decontaminate hands (Miller, 2011).

Volume 12, Haleigh James, Hannah Meyls, Hope Irvin, Megan E. Hlavaty, Samara L. Gall, Austin J. Funk, Karyn Keane, Sarah Ghali, Antonio Harvey, Andrew Jones, Rachel Hazelwood, Madison Schmitz, Marija Venta, Haley Tebo, Jeremiah Gilmer, Bridget Dunn, Benjamin Sullivan, Mckenzie Johnson

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Introduction, Dr. Roger A. Byrne, Dean

From the Editor, Dr. Larissa "Kat" Tracy

From the Designers, Rachel English, Rachel Hanson

Immortality in the Mortal World: Otherworldly Intervention in "Lanval" and "The Wife of Bath's Tale" by Haleigh James

Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Moroccan Olive Oils by HPLC by Hannah Meyls

Art by Hope Irvin

The Effects of Cell Phone Use on Gameplay Enjoyment and Frustration by Megan E. Hlavaty, Samara L. Gall, and Austin J. Funk

Care, No Matter What: Planned Parenthood's Use of Organizational Rhetoric to Expand its Reputation by Karyn Keane

Analysis of Petroleum Products for …

Biol 488: The Assessment And Analyzation Of Threats To Marine Life And Habitats And Project Proposals To Combat These Threats., Reece Theakston

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

For overfishing I propose that periodically we slightly expand fish sanctuaries and modify regulations to allow populations more time and more areas to grow. For pollution, the areas of pollution should be sectioned and ranked, then starting with the highest priority areas start pollution cleanup with both man and machine. Once the pollution is collected, I propose that the use of plastic eating bacteria and caterpillars be implemented to further break pollution down. In regard to habitat destruction I think the best approach is to treat the areas like a garden, plant new seeds, give them the nutrients and support …

Biol 488: Overview Of Health Consequences In The Ketogenic Diet And Efficacy In Treating Type-2 Diabetes, Talbot Thames

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

The ketogenic diet is an increasingly popular tool for weight loss. It has shown benefits for Type II Diabetes patients in reducing the use of medication for treatment and keeping blood glucose levels to manageable levels. This approach to diabetes management is stunted, however, due to a multitude of adverse effects such as acidosis and atherogenic risk factors. Dietary trials were performed to assess the efficacy of both diets in reducing blood glucose levels and other against the contemporary western diet, composed of a moderate-carbohydrate and moderate-fat macronutrient profile. Upon completion, diabetic subjects in both the high-carbohydrate and low ketogenic …

Biol 250: Curly Hair Trait: Homozygous Or Heterozygous, Kaysi Bing

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Research Aim: To connect the SNP rs17646946 AG genotype and curly hair

Hypothesis: People expressing a GG genotype at the SNP rs17646946 are most likely to have the curly hair trait

Chem 490: Characterization Of Cellular Targets And Derivatization Of A Lipogenic Pt Anticancer Therapeutic, Keira D. Naff, Jonathan D. White

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Platinum-based compounds have been a centerpiece of anticancer chemotherapies since the 1970s. Despite their widespread use, a seemingly endless challenge with these drugs is their toxicity, stemming from non-specific binding of Pt to cellular targets in healthy cells. Within the last few decades only a small number of new platinum-based drugs have demonstrated improved efficacy in any clinical trials, and none have received regulatory approval in the USA. Most of these efforts have focused on either developing improved methods of drug delivery, or on developing non-classical Pt complexes with alternative binding modes. We have begun to explore tethering Pt compounds …

Biol 250: Dna Identificaion Of Blue/Brown Eyed Snp Using Polymerase And Sequencing Data Analysis, Roxana Salas

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

The specific aim of this experiment was to determine the genotype of a SNP, collected from human cheek cells. The hypothesis is that sample 3a will have a heterozygous genotype.

Biol 404- The Effects Of Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (Pcbs) On The Development Of Myeloid Suppressor Cells, Emma Rogers, Ryan Servis, Talbot Thames, Amorette Barber

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a man-made organic compound consisting of two phenyl rings connected by a single bond, with any number of chlorine molecules occupying positions around the rings. They are most commonly used as a dielectric and coolant fluid in electrical generators and transformers. Manufacture has declined drastically since the 1970s in America due to their exertion of estrogen-mimicking effects in the body, although they continue to persist in harmful concentrations in the environment. PCBs are endocrine-disrupting, and through estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects have been shown to increase breast cancer risk by changing gene expression in several genes common …

Biol 404- Effects Of Estrogen-Mimicking Compounds, Progesterone And Estriol, On Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Development, Raquel Perez, Tatyana Green, Haley Bresnahan, Matthew Jones, Amorette Barber

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Estrogen is primarily known for being a female sex hormone. It has three major subcategories estrone, estradiol, and estriol. They are known to have a role within regulation of the reproductive system and menopause. Progesterone is also a well-known steroid sex hormone that is usually associated with menstruation. These sex hormones are commonly used in oral contraceptive pills. The purpose of this study is to see if progesterone and estriol will have the same effects that estrogen has on MHC II and B7 expression. With the use of flow cytometry, T cell isolation, T cell proliferation, and ELISAs we are …

Biol 404- Effects Of Phytoestrogens - Lycopene And Trans-Resveratrol - On The Development Of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (Mdsc), Kayla Cooksey, Adrianna Doggett, Debbie Pitt, Maya Young, Amorette Barber

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Trans-Resveratrol and Lycopene are chemical compounds found in the skin of red grapes and tomatoes respectively. This study investigates the effects of these two phytoestrogens on MDSCs.We hypothesized that these phytoestrogens will bind to estrogen receptors and block estrogenic activity, effectively decreasing the production of MDSCs in murine cells.

Biol 404- Dual Nature Of Phytoestrogens As Both Procancer And Anticancer Agents, Marcia Lanasa, Grace Freeman, Carrie Reaver, Natalie Wood, Amorette Barber

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Phytoestrogens are plant-derived, xenoestrogenic dietary compounds found in various fruits, vegetables, soy products, teas, grains, beans, and more. There are different classes of phytoestrogens, including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, lignans, and coumestans, all of which can affect estrogen-mediated responses in different ways (Bilal et al, 2014). The aim of this project is to investigate the potential duality of phytoestrogens as both estrogen receptor antagonists in cancer cells, but also as potential activators of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Understanding the complex role phytoestrogens play in cancer progression will prove valuable in the potential development of novel phytoestrogen-base cancer drug therapies.

Biol 404- Can A Soy Diet Mimic The Effects Of Estrogen?, Kelly Tarmon, Jonah Hottinger, Emily Humphries, Cody Gouyer, Amorette Barber

2020 Virtual Spring Student Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Phytoestrogens are estrogen-mimicking substances that can be found in many of the vegetables, beans, and grains we consume. One of the main phytoestrogens consumed by millions of people can be found in soybeans and tofu and are called isoflavones. We will be examining the first category of isoflavones, the aglycones. The aglycones are made up of daidzein, genistein, and glycitein which are found in soy products. We will determine the function of aglycones using flow cytometry by comparing the effect of these three compounds, estradiol, and the media given. As aglycones are estrogen mimicking compounds, we believe these three phytoestrogens …