Digital Commons Network^™

The Utah Statesman, April 28, 2025, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Integrating Human-Centered Design Into Undergraduate Stem Capstone Courses: A Food Product Development Case Study, Saadeddine Shehab, Dawn Bohn, Lucas O'Bryan, Luettamae Lawrence, Mike Tissenbaum

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

This study examines the integration of human-centered design (HCD) in a Food Science capstone course and explores its impact on students’ learning outcomes and skill development. This case study investigated how 42 undergraduate students engaged with HCD processes—including understanding, synthesizing, ideating, prototyping, and implementing—to develop innovative food products. Through pre- and post-surveys, interaction analysis, and performance assessments, the findings revealed that HCD activities significantly enhanced students’ knowledge, collaboration, creativity, and metacognitive skills. Additionally, students demonstrated improved food science competencies, such as product formulation and sensory evaluation. This study highlights the benefits of embedding HCD within STEM curricula to foster authentic, …

Data From: The Dynamic Responses Of The Mouse Gut Microbiome To Dietary Supplementation With Various Anthocyanin-Rich Foods In The Context Of A Western Diet, Abby D. Benninghoff

Browse all Datasets

Background/Objectives: Anthocyanin (ACN)-rich foods may support gut health by modulating the microbiome and reducing inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. However, the dynamic response of the gut microbiome to ACN-rich diets is not well characterized, including in the context of structural and compositional differences among ACN-containing foods. This study examined the temporal response of the mouse gut microbiome to dietary ACNs, focusing on the impact of structural variation. We hypothesized that microbiome shifts would occur rapidly but require sustained dietary ACN intake to persist. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed the total Western diet (TWD) supplemented with freeze-dried …

Evidence-Based Alternative Pain Management Techniques For Chronic Pain, Alise Williams Condie, Ashley Yaugher, Kira Swensen, Maren Wright Voss

All Current Publications

Chronic pain and opioid use have become topics of importance as opioid overdose deaths have risen to epidemic proportions throughout the nation. Chronic pain lasts for long periods of time and can be caused by a past injury or have no known cause. Opioids have been utilized to treat pain in the past, but it has been discovered that opioids are better used to treat acute pain and not chronic pain. Opioids can have negative consequences including changes to the brain, depression, increased pain, constipation, sedation, and even death. This fact sheet reviews and explains some of the most successful …

The Utah Statesman, April 21, 2025, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Utah Women, Discrimination, And Sexism: Experiences And Perceptions, April Townsend, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

During the fall of 2023, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline for public perceptions related to the awareness, understanding, and attitudes about challenges that Utah women and girls face. In early 2024, UWLP published 20 research summaries¹ that shared the results of this comprehensive study. Then, in the fall of 2024, the survey was administered again around the state of Utah with slight refinements. Between January and April of 2025, we have shared the results of the 2024 data by releasing six white papers, this being the final report in …

Staying Safe When Taking Prescription Opioids, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

All Current Publications

Prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone, are often used for short-term pain management, and it is important to know how to keep yourself safe when taking opioids prescribed by a doctor. This fact sheet reviews what opioids are, how they work in the body, and how people become dependent on or overdose on opioids. It also offers how to limit your risk of dependence and suggests alternative pain management options.

Avian Detection Data And Environmental Covariates For Utah, Usa Over The Years 2017-2021, Amanda L. Hayes-Puttfarcken

Browse all Datasets

Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) detection data for the state of Utah, USA, and LANDFIRE uncharacteristic exotic Departure Score data over Utah during our study period, as well as additional environmental covariates used to make the model more ecologically accurate. Environmental covariates include average May precipitation, average June temperature, distance to the nearest road, percent canopy cover, and the percent of three habitat types as defined by LANDFIRE; open tree canopy, herbaceous, and shrubland.

Fact Sheet For Parents: What To Know About Zyn Nicotine Pouches, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Alyssa Ferrin

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides information about ZYN, which is a nicotine pouch becoming commonly used among youth due to social media advertising. This fact sheet will help parents understand the impact of ZYN pouches and approaches to monitor, prevent, and address use among youth.

The Utah Statesman, April 14, 2025, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Naloxone: A Lifesaving Tool Against Opioid Overdose, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

All Current Publications

Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily stop an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain, which can save a person's life. This fact sheet explains why naloxone is important and safe, how to recognize the signs of opioid overdose, and how to obtain, store, and administer naloxone. Naloxone training is also available through Utah State University Extension.

Interactions Among Nutrients Govern The Global Grassland Biomass–Precipitation Relationship, Philip A. Fay, Laureano A. Gherardi, Laura Yahdjian, Peter B. Adler, Jonathan D. Bakker, Siddharth Bharath, Elizabeth T. Borer, W. Stanley Harpole, Erika Hersch-Green, Travis E. Huxman, Andrew S. Macdougall, Anita C. Risch, Eric W. Seabloom, Sumanta Bagchi, Isabel C. Barrio, Lori Biederman, Yvonne M. Buckley, Miguel N. Bugalho, Maria C. Caldeira, Jane A. Catford, Qingqing Chen, Elsa E. Cleland, Scott L. Collins, Pedro Daleo, Chris R. Dickman, Ian Donohue, Mary Ellyn Dupre, Nico Eisenhauer, Anu Eskelinen, Nicole Hagenah, Yann Hautier, Robert W. Heckman, Ingibjörg S. Jónsdóttir, Johannes M. H. Knops, Ramesh Laungani, Jason P. Martina, Rebecca L. Mcculley, John W. Morgan, Harry Olde Venterink, Pablo L. Peri, Sally A. Power, Xavier Raynaud, Zhengwei Ren, Christiane Roscher, Melinda D. Smith, Marie Spohn, Carly J. Stevens, Michelle Tedder, Risto Virtanen, Glenda M. Wardle, George R. Wheeler

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Ecosystems are experiencing changing global patterns of mean annual precipitation (MAP) and enrichment with multiple nutrients that potentially colimit plant biomass production. In grasslands, mean aboveground plant biomass is closely related to MAP, but how this relationship changes after enrichment with multiple nutrients remains unclear. We hypothesized the global biomass–MAP relationship becomes steeper with an increasing number of added nutrients, with increases in steepness corresponding to the form of interaction among added nutrients and with increased mediation by changes in plant community diversity. We measured aboveground plant biomass production and species diversity in 71 grasslands on six continents representing the …

Crop Advisor Approaches To Soil Health Advising And Opportunities For Improvement, Peggy Petrzelka, Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad, Matt Yost, Jenae Dean, Earl Creech, Linda Schott, Tony Richards, Kristy Davis

All Current Publications

In this report, we use data from a 2023 online survey of crop advisors in Utah and Idaho to examine how they are working with their clients on soil health and where opportunities for improvement exist.

Evaluating The Effects Of Oxidative Stress On Primary Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells, Sophia Hessami

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss worldwide, affecting 200 million adults over the age of 40

• Affects subretinal layers: retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch’s membrane, and choroid (Fig. 1)

Problem: Early mechanisms of AMD are not well understood; oxidative stress is often cited as a key contributing factor to the development of AMD.3 Current studies neglect to use primary RPE cells when investigating oxidative stress.

Oxidative Stress occurs when there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cellular antioxidant defenses

• Overabundance of ROS results in damage to tissue and …

Weaving Freedom: A Sustainable And Autonomous Approach To Community Development In Rural Argentina, Caroline Johnson

Student Research Symposium

AWANAY is a boutique weaving company. AWANAY’s mission is to support dignity and provide continuous opportunity for rural weavers. The project aligns with this mission for community-centered development in rural regions.

Home to AWANAY’s skilled artisans, Blanca Pozo, Argentina faces environmental pressures, including extreme heat, flooding, and limited access to electricity and fresh water. Drawing on the history of Argentine architecture and global sustainable design principles, this project proposes solutions tailored to the local climate and culture. Through this approach, this design meets immediate challenges and fosters resilience and prosperity for generations of weavers to come.

Adaptation Of Influenza A Virus Strains A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7n9) And A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7n9) For Development Of Effective Mouse Models, Spencer Mullen

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Animal models are key to the research and development of antiviral interventions. Two strains of low-pathogenic avian influenza virus, A/Anhui/1/2013 and A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7N9), isolated from a 2013 outbreak in China and acquired by USU’s Institute for Antiviral Research from the CDC, are the subject of this project.

Developing antiviral interventions against Influenza A H7N9 is essential because:

• Global outbreaks have caused high mortality among bird and human populations since 2013.^[1]

• Low-pathogenic avian flu viruses can mutate to become highly pathogenic.^[2]

• No current prophylactic or therapeutic human interventions exist.^[3]

BALB/c mice, commonly used for …

The Impact Of Lactoferrin And Iron-Enriched Whey On Iron Absorption, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, And Menstrual Health In Women, Mia Dustin

Student Research Symposium

Background

• Iron is essential for oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and overall health. ¹
• In the U.S., 20% of women aged 18–45 do not meet the estimated average requirement (18 mg/day). ^2,3
• Ferrous sulfate (FS) effectively improves iron levels but often causes severe gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. ⁴
• Previous research has suggested that lactoferrin, a milk-derived glycoprotein, may provide comparable iron delivery with fewer GI issues. ⁴
• Research suggests that lactoferrin, a milk-derived glycoprotein, delivers iron as effectively as ferrous sulfate, with fewer gastrointestinal issues. ⁴
• This clinical trial, conducted at USU’s Center for Human Nutrition Studies, examined the effects of …

Harvest Extend Volunteers Report Improved Mental And Social Wellness, Clarissa Richins

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Harvest Extend volunteers help reduce food waste, improve food security, and learn fruit preservation techniques

Biosecurity Strategies For Combating Iuu Fishing: Protecting Ecosystems And Economies, Spencer Anderson

Student Research Symposium

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens marine ecosystems and global economies by driving overfishing, spreading aquatic diseases, and introducing invasive species. It disrupts biodiversity, jeopardizes fisheries' sustainability, and undermines the livelihoods of millions, intensifying food insecurity and socio- economic vulnerabilities, particularly in fishing- dependent communities.

This research examines biosecurity strategies— including regulatory frameworks and collaborative efforts—to safeguard marine biodiversity and support sustainable fishing economies. Addressing the complex challenges of IUU fishing bridges gaps between conservation, public health, and economic resilience.

This study adopts an interdisciplinary approach to develop practical solutions to preserve biodiversity, enhance public health protections, and promote …

Optimizing Antibiotics: The Ph Factor, Tyler Barry, Camila Campos, Claire England, Carson Porter

Student Research Symposium

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a global concern. Antibiotic production depends on factors like pH and salinity. Antibiotics are waiting to be discovered in soil that can aid with health treatments [1]. We isolated colonies from soil. One isolate produced antibiotics, forming an inhibition zone against Staph. epidermidis. Our soil had a pH of 8, suggesting it's an alkaliphile that can thrive in basic conditions. Optimal pH enhances antibiotic production, benefiting medicine [3].

Environmental Racism: The Role Of Racism In The Unequal Distribution Of Environmental Hazards And Resources In Urban Areas, Acadia Petersen

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

There is a large difference in the number of environmental hazards and environmental resources that people live with depending on their race. This is very damaging as certain minorities are being provided with fewer resources and more polluted areas, leading to worse health outcomes.

There is “A strong association between non-white and poor communities and the location of hazardous waste sites…Studies on air quality have documented that minorities and the poor face higher levels of air pollution than other groups” (Pinderhughes 1996).

Wiped Out?: Testing Peribacillus Frigoritolerans Against Hospital Disinfection Techniques, Alexis Lupus, Ashtyn Whatcott, Asaria Zizumbo, Cade Neuberger

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Hospital disinfection is essential to patient health, as harmful bacteria can compromise patient health. Factors like pathogen type and cleaning frequency influence disinfection efficacy. Sani-Cloth® disinfectant wipes are widely used in healthcare settings and have shown high effectiveness, particularly on surfaces such as iPad screens. The Sani-Cloth® disinfectant wipes tested in this experiment protect against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria .This experiment evaluates three types of Sani-Cloth® wipes against Peribacillus frigoritolerans, a gram-positive soil bacterium. Given the range of microbes introduced in hospital environments, especially in high-traffic areas like emergency departments, identifying the most effective wipes helps ensure optimal infection …

Frequency Of Fruit And Vegetable Consumption Among Women Diagnosed With Gestational Diabetes, Hailey Koster

Student Research Symposium

• Consuming fruits and vegetables has been associated with a reduced risk of gestational diabetes and improved pregnancy outcomes. ¹

• However, the majority do not meet the recommendation of five servings per day or 400 g per day according to the World Health Organization.²

Implications Of Positive Nitrogen Fixation Capabilities Of Peribacillus, Weston Farley, Ariana Long

Student Research Symposium

Recent studies highlight the versatile role of Peribacillus simplex in sustainable agriculture. This bacterium has been shown to alleviate saline and alkaline stress in maize, promoting plant growth and improving crop yield under challenging conditions and enhance agricultural sustainability by supporting soil health and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Its role in fixing nitrogen and improving plant health makes it an essential player in eco- friendly farming practices.. Other species of Peribacillus have been shown to fix nitrogen, suggesting that our sample bacteria may also have these same capabilities.

• Our goal in this research is to determine whether …

Social Media Health Campaign: Combating Rsv In Infants Through Education And Advocacy, Kyndie Jorgensen

Student Research Symposium

Education and awareness surrounding RSV has made people more aware of how it is spread and what it is. Less communication campaign work has been done to help people understand the symptoms of RSV in healthy adults who may pass it to infants and to support parents in advocating for their child's safety.

Unmasking The Threat: Utilization Of Digital Health Communication Techniques In Addressing Smoking And Vaping-Induced Lung Cancer Amongst Youth, Emily Wells

Student Research Symposium

The correlation between cigarette sales and lung cancer mortality in the United States is going down. However, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer- related deaths globally, with high mortality rates among both men and women. The research will explore the direct and indirect causes of lung cancer, emphasizing early intervention to prevent the onset of the disease.

Farmstead Therapy: Intergenerational Connection And Sense Of Place Via Equine Therapy, Kaleb Griffeth

Student Research Symposium

Therapy has become a crucial element within society. It has offered relief, understanding, and hope for a changed future to hundreds of millions of people just in the last five years (SAMHSA, 2004).

On another front, division between generations seems to be growing by the month. Political, social, and economic differences between generations “X”, “Z”, Alpha, and Baby Boomers make it appear that there is no connection whatsoever across age gaps.

Because equine therapy has proven a succesful branch, especially for those of a younger demographic, Farmstead Therapy was a project designed to bring together the skills of the older …

Religious Trauma And Young Adults: What Is Their Perspective?, Ethan Lefevre

Student Research Symposium

How does religious trauma influence young adults' perspectives on organized religion and spirituality?

Sos: Success Or Survival, Quinn Balser

Student Research Symposium

Research Question: How does unmet basic needs insecurity (food, housing, and financial insecurity) impact college students' academic performance, mental health, and engagement within campus residential communities?

Overveiw: Traditional student development theories often assume students' basic needs are met. But recent data shows food and housing insecurity is rising, especially among marginalized groups, challenging our understanding of student success.

Indian Education And Computing For All: A Case Study Of Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Computer Science, Waqas Ahmad

Student Research Symposium

Research shows that integrating computer science (CS) into other disciplines leads to more equitable participation for all students.

Connecting CS learning to students’ families, communities, and interests leads to increased student engagement.

We designed a middle school social studies unit that integrated CS to teach about why treaties still matter through the lens of food sovereignty.