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Full-Text Articles in Biology
The Effect Of Integrated Pest Management On Honey Bee Behavior And Colony Level Health, Kaitlyn Bresnahan
The Effect Of Integrated Pest Management On Honey Bee Behavior And Colony Level Health, Kaitlyn Bresnahan
Biology Student Scholarship
Honey bees are the world’s most commercially valuable pollinators, and they face many threats. The greatest challenge facing honey bees is Varroa mites, which are parasitic mites that feed on bees’ fat bodies, killing bees and spreading diseases. While chemical treatments are available to stop the spread of mites, these treatments are insecticides, which are not ideal to put in a hive of insects. A popular organic method of mite management is using drone comb. Drone brood is preferentially chosen by mites for ovipositing and development because of its larger size and longer development time, so removing drone brood can …
Suitability And Nutritional Analysis Of Spotted Lanternfly Habitats, Kathryn Hickey
Suitability And Nutritional Analysis Of Spotted Lanternfly Habitats, Kathryn Hickey
Biology Student Scholarship
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive bug that has recently started taking over the Northeastern US, and has even made it to Rhode Island. Although this species is intriguing with its bright red back and spots, it is hurting native plant species and the agriculture industry by feeding on crops, like grapes and cherries. It uses a tongue-like mouthpart to pierce through the plant and feed directly on the sap inside. This punctures plant stems and causes them to drip sap, wither, and even mold. The lanternfly’s most preferred host plant is the invasive tree-of-heaven, which grows and spreads quickly …
Effect Of Decreased Snowfall During An Atypical Winter On A Rare Butterfly’S Host Plant, Breelyn Gilbert
Effect Of Decreased Snowfall During An Atypical Winter On A Rare Butterfly’S Host Plant, Breelyn Gilbert
Biology Student Scholarship
In the Northeastern US, one result of climate change is decreased snowfall and earlier snowmelt. Such changes can alter the relationship between climate and the timing of cyclical biological phenomena— the phenology of organisms. This is especially concerning for species that interact with one another such as butterflies and their host plants. For this study, I focused on the host plant of the rare frosted elfin butterfly. The frosted elfin is a species of concern in RI, MA, and CT, among 8 other states, and they are a host plant specialist only laying eggs on yellow wild indigo (Baptisia …
Diversity Of Bees In Trees And Their Foraging Preferences On An Urban College Campus, Aidan Castricone
Diversity Of Bees In Trees And Their Foraging Preferences On An Urban College Campus, Aidan Castricone
Biology Student Scholarship
Pollinators collect nutrients from blooming flowers; pollen provides proteins and fats, nectar provides carbohydrates. The few plants that bloom during early Spring are trees such as crabapple (Malus sp). Current research however, mainly focuses on pollinators that forage on the ground and overlooks pollinators foraging in the canopy of trees. Past research showed increased generalization of pollen foraging in bees as seasons move from spring to summer. Here I identified which bee species forage in the canopy on Providence College campus and will analyze the pollen collected using microscopy. This data can inform more specific research on diet breadth, …
Does Artificial Lighting Cause Sea Turtle Hatchling Disorientations?, Kate Hickey
Does Artificial Lighting Cause Sea Turtle Hatchling Disorientations?, Kate Hickey
Biology Student Scholarship
Sea turtle hatchlings run into obstacles from the minute they emerge from their shell. They have a 1 in 1,000 survival rate and new obstacles are on the horizon. Coastal development is increasing and is not planning on slowing down. It supports and funds tourism, but has some negative implications on the wildlife that uses this area, like sea turtles. A particular problem with development is the artificial lighting it emits which is effecting sea turtles nesting. When the hatchlings emerge from the nest, they use the horizon and moon to guide them in the direction of the sea. The …
Precipitation Effects On Butterfly Species Richness, Maggie Ritchie
Precipitation Effects On Butterfly Species Richness, Maggie Ritchie
Biology Student Scholarship
Butterflies are important pollinators that have been impacted due to climate change(1). Studies have looked at how the increasing temperatures and precipitation due to climate change may be playing a role in decreasing populations among some species in Mediterranean climates(2). However, the effects of precipitation have not been considered when looking at changing butterfly populations around the United States. Therefore, increasing precipitation amounts due to climate change may contribute to the decreasing populations of butterflies in Massachusetts.BIO 340 final project
Land And Energy, Devan Viani
Land And Energy, Devan Viani
Biology Student Scholarship
Land use has and will continue to be a complicated topic. We need land to succeed as a country and a species, but it is equally as important to keep the land as pristine as possible to not affect natural ecosystems. As population continues to increase, urbanization and economic growth has inevitably had an impact on climate change.¹ Parallel to an increase in land development is an increase in power generation. As cities grow, technology evolves, and energy use goes up. With this increase in technology, new sources of power generation are emerging. While fossil fuels have always been the …
Does More Pollen Mean More Sneezing?, Diraliz Cruz
Does More Pollen Mean More Sneezing?, Diraliz Cruz
Biology Student Scholarship
Every year millions of people suffer from seasonal allergies, according to the CDC about 25% of adults have to deal with these allergies. Pollen comes from all different things like trees, grasses, and weeds and as climate change increases annually the amount of pollen released into the air also increases. Research has shown that climate change has specifically impacted the amount of birch and oak pollen released annually. Although there is data to show that there has been an increase in pollen release there is little to no information on if the prevalence of allergies has increased or decreased along …
Effect Of Natural Disasters On Coastal Human Populations Of The Southeastern U.S., Caitlin Mchugh
Effect Of Natural Disasters On Coastal Human Populations Of The Southeastern U.S., Caitlin Mchugh
Biology Student Scholarship
Due to climate change, extreme weather events and natural disasters are becoming more prevalent, and the severity of these events is increasing (Sheldon & Zhan, 2022). Over the last 40 years, the number of billion-dollar natural disasters has gone up. The U.S, averaged 3 billion-dollar disasters per year in the 1980s compared to the average 13 per year in the 2010s (USAFacts, 2023). With natural disasters comes loss of life, infrastructure, and resources that can leave a physical and economic toll on communities for many years if not generations. While some global studies have found that natural disasters increase households’ …
The Impact Of Age And Catch Location On The Mortality Rates Of Striped Bass, Owen Finnegan
The Impact Of Age And Catch Location On The Mortality Rates Of Striped Bass, Owen Finnegan
Biology Student Scholarship
Striped bass are one of the most popular and sought-after gamefish in the United States for recreation and commercial fishermen. This popularity comes from their size, with many fish reaching 40+ pounds, a prominent dish in seafood restaurants, and their expansive habitat as they inhabit waters from Florida to Canada (1). During the late 1970s/80s, the population began sharply declining due to overfishing, and governments enacted regulations to stabilize the population (1). However, as of 2020, overfishing is still occurring, and regulations are continuously evolving (1). Each state has their own rules and regulations for possessing striped bass for commercial …
The Influence Of Sampling Frequency On Bee Species Richness, Courtney Caccamo
The Influence Of Sampling Frequency On Bee Species Richness, Courtney Caccamo
Biology Student Scholarship
As one of Earth’s most valuable pollinators, bees provide important pollination services to wild plant species and crops alike (Winfree 2010). But, in recent years, bee populations appear to be declining due to a variety of anthropogenic drivers (Potts et al. 2010). Quantifying the extent of bee population decline is difficult because there is currently a lack of a standardized protocol for how best to survey bee populations (Tepedino & Portman 2021). One of the commonly used survey methods is pan trapping, which involves leaving out yellow, white, and blue bowls filled with soapy water to passively sample the species …
The Effect Of Water Temperature On Tiger Shark Location, Philip Gelso
The Effect Of Water Temperature On Tiger Shark Location, Philip Gelso
Biology Student Scholarship
The tiger shark is a keystone species in its ecosystem. As an apex predator, the tiger shark keeps the entire ecosystem in balance such as maintaining seagrass and coral reef habitats. The rise of ocean surface temperatures have become an issue over the past decades due to the increase in energy from the sun trapped by greenhouse grasses. This change in ocean surface temperature can have detrimental impacts on the ocean environment and the life cycles of many species including the tiger shark. Therefore, this project evaluates the change in location of tiger sharks in relation to water temperature.BIO …
The Effect Of Nuclear Power On Carbon Intensity, Lukas Mullaney
The Effect Of Nuclear Power On Carbon Intensity, Lukas Mullaney
Biology Student Scholarship
The world is currently facing one of the biggest threats to the environment in its history: the warming of the Earth’s surface due to climate change. One major contributor is the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere by humans. To reduce these emissions, countries are making a concerted effort to invest in more sustainable energy sources. Nuclear power is one green energy source that can potentially support the transition to lower carbon emissions. Nuclear power plants release no carbon emissions during the generation of electricity. The only emissions are a result of maintenance, such as …
Element Levels In Soil Depend On Elevation, Sean Harris
Element Levels In Soil Depend On Elevation, Sean Harris
Biology Student Scholarship
Elements, such as arsenic, copper, phosphorus, and calcium, in soil can help biological processes if content levels are not too low or excessive. Arsenic in soil is toxic at high levels and so too much is harmful to vegetation. Copper is important for plants because it helps with chlorophyll and seed production. Phosphorus helps with plant growth, especially for new seedlings. Calcium in soil is not completely needed at high levels, but it does strengthen plants’ health. However, with factors such as different environments, average precipitation levels, and elevation levels in different counties in the Northeast, element content level differ. …
Genetic Disruption Of Metabolic Balance In Mouse Cerebellar Neurons Causes Deficits In The Postnatal Development Of Their Dendritic Tree And Mouse Motor Skills, Hayden Lens, Mary Boghos
Genetic Disruption Of Metabolic Balance In Mouse Cerebellar Neurons Causes Deficits In The Postnatal Development Of Their Dendritic Tree And Mouse Motor Skills, Hayden Lens, Mary Boghos
Biology Student Scholarship
Hayden Lens ’23, Major: Biology
Mary Boghos ’23, Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ileana Soto Reyes, Biology
The Npc1nmf164 mutant mouse is an animal model for the human disease Niemann-Pick type C (NPC). NPC is a lysosomal storage disease that is acquired by autosomal recessive inheritance. It is mostly caused by mutations in NPC1, a protein that transports cholesterol out of the lysosomes, therefore abnormal accumulation of cholesterol in lysosomes is a hallmark of NPC. Cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) are severely affected by NPC, in fact, PCs degenerate first and to a larger extent at childhood stages. Therefore, we have …
The Evolution Of Pollution Resistance In The Atlantic Killifish, Matthew Rock
The Evolution Of Pollution Resistance In The Atlantic Killifish, Matthew Rock
Biology Student Scholarship
Matthew Rock ’23
Major: Environmental Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Markert, Biology
We examined genetic variation in Atlantic Killifish populations to better understand their ability to persist in Superfund sites like New Bedford Harbor, which is polluted with a mix of organic toxicants and heavy metals. As predicted, loci associated with the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) Detoxification Pathway show large differences in allele frequencies between polluted and non-polluted sites.
Microplastics’ Effects On Painted Lady Butterfly Survivorship, Migratory Behavior, And Fecundity, Kaelin Ferland
Microplastics’ Effects On Painted Lady Butterfly Survivorship, Migratory Behavior, And Fecundity, Kaelin Ferland
Biology Student Scholarship
Kaelin Ferland ’23
Major: Environmental Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology
Human activity is affecting our planet at a microscopic level. In 2021, scientists first discovered microplastics in honeybees. Subsequent research has found that honeybee gut bacteria concentrations decrease because of microplastic ingestion, decreasing honeybee survivorship. The same might be true for other insect pollinators including butterflies. When butterflies visit flowers to feed, they simultaneously collect pollen on their wings. Due to the similar particulate structure of pollen and microplastics, it’s possible that butterflies collect microplastics in addition to food. We used painted lady butterflies to investigate if microplastics …
Circadian Rhythm Effects Of Social Jetlag And Exercise On Stress Levels And Weight Change Of Fischer Rats, Brian Schwalm
Circadian Rhythm Effects Of Social Jetlag And Exercise On Stress Levels And Weight Change Of Fischer Rats, Brian Schwalm
Biology Student Scholarship
Brian Schwalm ’23
Major: Biology
Minor: Economics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Snodgrass, Biology
See You Later Alligator: Forelimb And Wrist Of Alligators Walking The Treadmill, Erin Trammell, Inthavha Singharaj, Sasha Rudich
See You Later Alligator: Forelimb And Wrist Of Alligators Walking The Treadmill, Erin Trammell, Inthavha Singharaj, Sasha Rudich
Biology Student Scholarship
Erin Trammell ’23, Major: Biology
Inthavha Singharaj ’23, Major: Biology
Sasha Rudich ’23, Major: Biology, Minors: Women and Gender Studies
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Daivd Baier, Biology
We used XROMM, which combines biplanar X-ray video and digital bone models, to measure how the alligator skeleton moves during high walks on a treadmill. The crocodilian high walk and wrist structure are unique compared to other reptiles who walk with a sprawled limb posture. Here, we describe how bones of the forearm, wrist, and hand coordinate during alligator strides. We find that elbow is more than just a simple hinge, the forearm bones …
The Predation Resistance Of Squashed E. Coli, Kathryn Mulvey, Caroline Zielinski
The Predation Resistance Of Squashed E. Coli, Kathryn Mulvey, Caroline Zielinski
Biology Student Scholarship
Kathryn Mulvey ’23, Major: Biology
Caroline Zielinski ’23, Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor, Dr. Laura Williams, Biology
Predatory bacteria hunt and kill other bacteria, including pathogens that cause disease in humans, which makes them a promising alternative for treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Currently, it is unknown whether and how pathogens evolve resistance to predation. To investigate this, we are studying interactions between E. coli, which is a model organism for pathogenic bacteria, and predatory Bdellovibrio. When we co-cultured E. coli with a particular strain of predatory Bdellovibrio, we observed the emergence of predation-resistant E. coli that had reduced susceptibility to killing …
Circadian Rhythms Effect On Brain Metabolism In Mutant Flies, Olivia Kozub
Circadian Rhythms Effect On Brain Metabolism In Mutant Flies, Olivia Kozub
Biology Student Scholarship
Olivia Kozub ’23
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Snodgrass, Biology
All organisms have an internal clock that drives physiological processes known as circadian rhythms. Being able to predict the environment and prepare for it, rather than simply react, is so critical to survival that this ability has been conserved from single cell organisms all the way to humans. These rhythms can be measured at the gene level, the protein level, the cellular level, the tissue level, all the way to oscillations in behavior. Measuring the metabolic activity of normal fly brains at different times of day will chart the …
Diversity Of Bees In Trees On Urban College Campus, Aidan Castricone, Courtney Caccamo
Diversity Of Bees In Trees On Urban College Campus, Aidan Castricone, Courtney Caccamo
Biology Student Scholarship
Aidan Castricone ’24, Major: Environmental Biology
Courtney Caccamo ’23 Majors: Environmental Biology and Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology
It is well known that insect pollinator populations are declining and a lack of nutrients (i.e flowering plants) may be contributing to this decline. Insect pollinators forage for pollen and nectar, which provides proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, from flowering plants. Current research on pollinator foraging behavior focuses on pollinators that forage on the ground thus overlooking those that forage in trees. Trees such as Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) and crabapple (Malus sp.) bloom in early Spring, even before …
Be Happy, But Not Too Happy: Taiwanese And American Childrearing Differences In Regulation Of Ideal Affect., Samantha Dietel
Be Happy, But Not Too Happy: Taiwanese And American Childrearing Differences In Regulation Of Ideal Affect., Samantha Dietel
Biology Student Scholarship
Samantha Dietel ’23
Majors: Psychology and Elementary/Special Education
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Smaranda Lawrie, Psychology
Analyzing Behavior In Flies Modeling Frontotemporal Dementia, Colin Mcnulty, Julia Bonavolonta, Connor Barber
Analyzing Behavior In Flies Modeling Frontotemporal Dementia, Colin Mcnulty, Julia Bonavolonta, Connor Barber
Biology Student Scholarship
Colin McNulty ’24, Major: Biology
Julia Bonavolonta ’24, Majors: Biology and Spanish
Connor Barber ’24, Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Marla Tipping, Biology
In this project, the goal is to be able to study the behavioral differences in Drosophila melanogaster who model the neurological disease frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Flies modeling FTD are placed into multiple different tubes and loaded into an activity monitor; the same is done with control flies who do not model FTD. Over time, this machine tracks sleep cycles, movement, eating habits, and other behaviors. These results are filed into a computer where they then are then …