Life Sciences Commons^™

Full Issue, Volume 14, Number 1., Donna J. Peterson Dr., Scott Cummings, Elizabeth Gregory North

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Hypoxia On Balance Systems, Samuel Drescher Drescher, Heather Bond, Allysa Hayden, Victoria Cornaro, Brandon Ibarra, Noah Clark, Frank Cunningham Iv, Carolina Ferreira, Sierra Martinez, Katie Stubits

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Hypoxia, a condition characterized by insufficient oxygen availability to body tissues, is known to impair physiological and cognitive function, particularly at high altitudes above 15,000 ft. However, the effects of mild hypoxia (10,000–15,000 ft) remain less well understood. This study, conducted by the department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, investigates the impact of mild hypoxia at 12,000 ft on human balance systems. Specifically, it examines the three primary components of balance: visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular systems. Participants complete nine balance tasks under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Tasks are structured to progressively limit sensory input: …

Antimicrobial Responses Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Simulated Spaceflight Conditions, Mikayla Dutkiewicz, Yegor Bushnev

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Microbial persistence in confined environments, such as spacecraft, can pose challenges to astronaut health and habitat maintenance. This project investigates Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium commonly associated with human microbiota and opportunistic infections, in spaceflight-relevant environmental conditions. Further, this project will assess the influence of the antimicrobial/antioxidant compound quercetin to assess its effects on bacterial growth and virulence under standard Earth gravity and simulated International Space Station (ISS) conditions. This approach will assess whether spaceflight-relevant stressors, including microgravity and radiation, alter treatment efficacy by influencing microbial physiology and antimicrobial susceptibility. Data collection and analysis are ongoing, and results are expected …

Environmental Ethics Of Plastics And Microplastics Manufacturing: Balancing Industrial Production And Ecological Responsibility, Arindam Gupta

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The global production of plastics has increased dramatically over the past several decades, providing substantial economic and societal benefits while simultaneously generating complex environmental and ethical challenges. A growing body of research has identified microplastics—plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters—as persistent pollutants that accumulate in aquatic ecosystems, soil systems, and the atmosphere. These particles originate both from the degradation of larger plastic products and from direct industrial production processes used in plastics manufacturing. The ethical implications of plastics and microplastics production raise important questions about environmental responsibility, regulatory oversight, and the balance between economic development and ecological sustainability. This project …

Impact Of Stress & Fatigue On Cardiovascular Function In Young Pilots: A Thematic Review, Swarna Manoj

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Impact of Stress & Fatigue on Cardiovascular Function in Young Pilots: A Thematic Review   Authors: Swarna Manoj, Scott Ferguson   Keywords: pilot, stress, fatigue, heart rate variability (HRV), cardiovascular disease (CVD) Aviation is expanding globally and young pilots are the major workforce, yet FAA protocols require mandatory ECG only from age 35, with annual cardiac screening after age 40. Over the past five years, a pattern of sudden cardiac arrests in pilots particularly aged 30-40 has urged safety concerns. Despite the existing literature examining fatigue, burnout, stress, sleep hygiene and circadian disruption, only few studies systematically examine how these factors impact …

Observing Antibiotic Resistance In Bacterial Co-Cultures Under Simulated Microgravity, Tyler Jenkins, Marina Vaden

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Bacteria grow in complex natural environments with multiple factors affecting their growth, metabolism, and physiology. While astronauts are still preparing to travel to Mars, scientists must learn how to simulate a more realistic Martian environment. While a small volume of publications investigates the independent effects of microgravity or Martian regolith on microorganisms (Liao et al., 2025; Allen et al., 2022; Naz et al., 2023; Duri et al., 2025), to our knowledge no current experiments exist on the joint effects of microgravity and Martian simulant on a co-culture. This experiment aims to investigate the effect of a microgravity analog on the …

Instruction Guide, Mark C. Hall

Analytical Biochemistry: A Practical Handbook for Undergraduates

The instruction guide provides useful information for setting up and running the lab activities each week and assessing student preparation, performance, and comprehension.

Parental Thermal Environment Affects Offspring Resilience To Winter And Spring Weather Anomalies, Ruzhuo Chen, Mariel Dunn, Caroline A. Curtis, Mariana Abarca

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Recent increases in the frequency and intensity of thermal anomalies can result in recurrent stressful weather events. Among annual insects, this phenomenon may expose parents and offspring to a succession of different weather anomalies (e.g. summer heatwaves and late spring frosts). Parental stress can alter offspring physiology and performance, potentially affecting their tolerance of environmental variation. We investigated the transgenerational effects of thermal anomalies on a univoltine wetland butterfly. We induced parental thermal stress by exposing pupae to a constant temperature, ranging from stressfully cold to stressfully hot (10 ◦C, 26 ◦C, 28 ◦C, 32 ◦C), for three days. Offspring …

New Locality Records And Future Habitat Suitability Of Sassanidotus Gracilis (Birula, 1900) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) In The Iran–Afghanistan–Pakistan Arid Belt, Ersen A. Yağmur, Kerim Çiçek, Homa Barati, Mohammad Moradi

Euscorpius

This study reports new locality records from Iran and a climate-based habitat suitability assessment for Sassanidotus gracilis (Birula, 1900) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Iran–Afghanistan–Pakistan arid belt. We document new specimens from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran, with an updated distribution map and illustrations, and we model the species' potential distribution across south-eastern Iran and adjacent parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Habitat suitability was associated mainly with precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the driest month, and slope. In an arid setting these rainfall variables are unlikely to indicate a need for moist habitat; they more plausibly track …

Tardigrade Bio-Exploration Reproduction Research Payload, Natalie Brattain, Chloe Nissen, Kylie Nager, Peter Ulrich, Enoch Tonkine

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The Tardigrade Bio-ExplorAtion Reproduction Research Payload (tBEARR) is an external International Space Station (ISS) standardized laboratory payload module mission under development by the Embry-Riddle Orbital Research Association (ERORA), an undergraduate research organization at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Florida. As a club-driven mission, tBEARR provides undergraduate students with hands-on experience across all phases of space research, including payload design, biological experimentation, systems integration, and mission operations. The mission is supported by a biology research team focused on stress-response biology, experimental design, and biological validation throughout ground testing, high-altitude balloon flights, and orbital operations.   The primary objective of tBEARR …

Mri-Based Estimation Of The Hip Joint Center In Infants Using Two Sphere-Fitting Methods, Victoria Melendez

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Accurate estimation of the hip joint center (HJC) is critical for biomechanical modeling and clinical assessment. Common methods include predictive methods (e.g., regression equations) and functional methods such as sphere-fitting. In infants, femoral head-based methods are often limited due to incomplete ossification of the anatomy and poor visualization in computed tomography (CT) images. This study evaluates an alternative approach using MRI-based sphere fitting of the ossified acetabular rim, comparing its accuracy to traditional femoral head-based methods. MRI scans of three male infants (ages 10.7- 12.7 months) were used to manually place landmarks on the ossified acetabulum and the cartilaginous boundary …

Apical-Out Lung Organoids: A Platform For Spaceflight And Cf Research, Valeria Jimenez, Ally Schwennesen

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

A genetic condition known as cystic fibrosis (CF) is brought on by mutations in the CFTR gene, which results in chronic lung inflammation and impaired chloride ion transport. CF bronchial epithelial cells enable direct comparison of disease pathology, while normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells offer an essential model for researching airway physiology. Realistic modeling of respiratory tissue and its reaction to environmental stressors like microgravity is made possible by the creation of 3D lung organoids from these cells. In this project, we developed apical-out organoids, which expose the apical surface of epithelial cells to the external environment. These organoids …

Investigation Of Biofilm Formation And Osmotic Stress Tolerance Of Nonmotile Escherichia Coli In Simulated Microgravity, Tyler Jenkins

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Simulated microgravity presents multiple physiological stressors for astronauts, including bone demineralization, muscle loss, and weakening of the immune system. Bacteria serve as viable model organisms to study physiological changes because of their abundance in the human digestive system and skin. Motility in bacteria plays a significant role in cell survival, but few studies have been conducted on microgravity’s effect on motility phenotypes. While motile strains like Escherichia coli K12 have been studied extensively under microgravity conditions, the effects of simulated microgravity on non-motile strains are largely unknown. To better understand this relationship, the nonmotile E. coli MG1655 strain was inoculated …

Evaluation Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Pathogens Relevant To Long-Duration Space Missions, Natalie Brattain, Yegor Bushnev, Mikayla M. Dutkiewicz

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global concern that necessitates the development of effective strategies for selecting appropriate antibiotics, especially in the context of future long-duration space missions, where infection control and treatment options are limited. This study employs the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion assay to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other clinically and spaceflight-relevant bacterial pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. These pathogens will be tested with commonly used antibiotics and potential natural compounds.   The pathogens will be cultured and isolated onto Mueller–Hinton agar plates. Antibiotic disks, along with various flavonoids disks, such as …

Metabolic Regulation And Immunity In The Spaceflight Environment, Graeme Grainger, Riley Dienna, Astrid Senko, Angela Cebula, Arden Rodriguez Arden Rodriguez

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Long-duration spaceflight exposes astronauts to chronic ionizing radiation and microgravity that disrupts homeostasis in the immune system and cellular metabolism. While simulated spaceflight models demonstrate altered T-cell polarization and sex-dependent shifts toward regulatory phenotypes, the metabolic mechanisms driving these immune changes remain unclear. Immune cell function is tightly linked to metabolic programming, with effector T cells relying on glycolysis and regulatory T cells favoring oxidative metabolism, making them highly sensitive to shifts in nutrient availability and redox balance. Emerging research further suggests that neutrophils act as metabolic regulators capable of reshaping the immune microenvironment through oxidative stress, cytokine production, and …

Effects Of Human-Animal Interaction On Positive Youth Development: A Replication Study, Allison Pachunka, Jay Jeffries, Lisa Karr, Lena Luck, Bryan A. Reiling, Douglas H. Schultz, Jeffrey R. Stevens

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Interacting with animals can improve health and well-being across the lifespan. Some programs such as 4-H and FFA center around youth interacting with animals, potentially enhancing youth development. Mueller (2014) investigated whether these interactions and attitudes about animals influenced measures of positive youth development. The aim of our studies was to replicate Mueller’s methods and extend her work by evaluating whether membership in animal-focused youth programs moderate associations between interactions, attitudes, and positive youth development. We did not find strong relationships among human–animal inter-action and positive youth development, which failed to replicate Mueller’s findings. However, we did find relationships between …

Evaluating The Potential Of Cajanus Cajan (L.) Millsp. Root To Improve Atopic Dermatitis With Different Anti-Inflammatory Models And Active Compounds, Shu-Er Yang, Xiang-Ming Cai, Yu-Wen Chu, Jen-Chieh Tsai, Mey-Fann Lee, Tuzz-Ying Song

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent bacterial infections that cause pruritus, erythema, xerosis and thickening. Cajanus cajan root extract prepared with 95% ethanol (EECR95) has been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties in previous studies. This study aimed to evaluate EECR95’s ability to improve AD by inhibiting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) growth and reducing inflammation. This study found EECR95 effectively inhibits MRSA growth (IC₅₀ = 103.74 μg/mL) and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production in an MRSA-keratinocyte-macrophage model. LC/MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of active compounds- flavonoids, isoflavones, and flavonoid glycosides, highlighting EECR95's potential …

Clara S. Ludlow: Mississippi A & M Graduate And American Military Entomology Pioneer, Bradley Brazzeal

Midsouth Entomologist

The systematic study of the mosquitoes of the world did not begin until the early years of the 20^th century. Among the early entomologists to specialize in the field was Clara S. Ludlow, who graduated from Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College. Her research began in the Philippines in 1901, while American troops were still fighting in the Philippine-American War, and for over 20 years she researched mosquitoes in connection with the U.S. Army. This article explores Ludlow’s scientific career and the legacy of her research.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Deer-Cabbage (Nephrophyllidium Crista-Galli), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Deer-cabbage (Nephrophyllidium crista-galli) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Comparing Non-Invasive Survey Methods For Southern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys Volans) At The Western Edge Of Their Range, Jay E. Winfield, Jeremy A. White

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) is a threatened species in Nebraska that occurs along the Missouri River in the southeastern corner of the state. Recently, a population was discovered in the city of Lincoln, but it is unknown whether this population represents a natural range expansion from the Missouri River population or whether it is isolated and results from a human-assisted movement. A survey of southern flying squirrels in Nebraska is needed, but surveys of this elusive species are challenging. This study investigated and compared two noninvasive survey techniques for rapid detection of flying squirrels: acoustic detectors …

Malnutrition Risk, Nutrition Insecurity, Barriers, And Facilitators To Dietary Management Among Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease In The Us Rocky Mountain Region: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Methods Study, Heather Burr, Carrie Durward, Korry Hintze, Getrude Mphwanthe

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Student Research

We conducted an online cross-sectional study to assess malnutrition risk, food and nutrition insecurity, and perceived barriers and facilitators to dietary management among adults (18–64 years old) with a self-reported clinical diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in outpatient and community settings. We assessed malnutrition risk using the Saskatchewan IBD-Nutrition Risk screening tool, food security risk using the two-item Hunger Vital Signs questionnaire, and nutrition security risk using a validated four-item tool. Open-ended questions elucidated barriers and facilitators to dietary management of IBD. Among 57 participants who self-reported a clinical diagnosis of IBD, 52.6% (n = 30/57) had ulcerative colitis, …

Assessing Non-Thermal Plasma In Cutaneous Regeneration, Arden Rodriguez, Meliah Martin, Graeme Grainger, Arineh Shahbazi

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Chronic and acute wounds remain a significant clinical challenge, particularly in austere and resource-limited environments where access to advanced care is restricted. Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) has emerged as a promising, non-invasive modality with reported antimicrobial and regenerative properties; however, its mechanisms of action and effects on human skin tissue require further characterization. The scope of this project is to engineer and utilize a 3D human skin epithelial model to evaluate the effects of NTP on wound healing. We will first build a 3D epithelial tissue model that will simulate human skin, followed by modeling and evaluation of wound pathology and …

From Dust To Growth: Microbial Pathways To Extraterrestrial Farming, Stefani Capasso Villanueva, Nupur Kulkarni

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

From Dust to Growth: Microbial Pathways to Extraterrestrial Farming addresses the fundamental challenge of sustaining long-term human habitation on other planets. In the era of the Artemis missions, establishing a cost-effective, bioregenerative food source is critical to reducing logistical dependency on Earth, and mitigating the physiological stressors faced by spacecrew through improved nutrition. This study initially investigated the viability of cultivating Mizuna, a proven ISS model organism, in a substrate of Martian regolith simulant amended with organic compost. Following iterative trials, it was found that the plant survival rate was extremely low, even after varying percentages of compost and simulant. …

The Osteocyte-Osteoblast Network Requires Dynamic Mechanical Loading For Key Functions, Kevin Kowalski

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Spaceflight investigations have demonstrated that reduction in gravity-induced loading regimes is detrimental to maintenance Earth-normal bone and marrow. Mechanistically, however, there are still gaps in knowledge about how the reduction in gravity influences the different niches within the tissue. For example, cortical bone is a stable semi-solid structure that allows for only minor deformations before failure, while marrow is a viscous hydrogel-like material that can resist significant fluidic and compressive forces. We hypothesize that maintenance of different niches within the bone microenvironment are dependent on different loading regimes, and that the collective impact if gravity-induced loading needs to be considered …

Impact Of Inspiratory Muscle Training On Diaphragm Hypertrophy, Exercise Performance, And Immune Response, Riley Dienna, Sabrina Ehrenfort, Joshua Frankenfield, Olivia Hartmann, Ben Kerns, Gianpiero Lara, Meliah Martin, Emma Norris, Louis Pandolfo, Rachel Phillips, Stella Roane, Dominic Sandell, Sabrina I. Santini-Bousson, Madison Stroud, Cecilia Zoutewelle, Erica Bryant

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The muscles involved in breathing, notably the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, play a role in determining the exercise capability of an individual. These muscles perform the work required for breathing, and as exercise intensity increases these muscles increase their activity to allow the respiratory system to meet the increased metabolic demands of exercise. Fatigue of these muscles reduces exercise tolerance and performance. In addition, the inflammation caused by acute maximal exercise is impacted by the level of training of the individual, and thus, inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may impact the inflammation due to exercise. We will test the hypothesis that …

From Sunscreen To Seafood: Tracing The Ecological And Human Health Risks Of Oxybenzone Contamination In Local Fish, Alyssa Brasko

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) is a widely used ultraviolet (UV) filter in sunscreens, offering protection against harmful radiation but raising significant environmental concerns due to its persistence and toxicity in aquatic ecosystems. This ongoing study aims to investigate the bioaccumulation and ecological impact of oxybenzone in fish species along Florida’s Space Coast, contributing to a broader understanding of its environmental fate and potential human exposure through seafood consumption. The research will employ advanced analytical techniques, including Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), to quantify oxybenzone levels in locally sourced fish. Fish samples will be obtained from the non-profit organization …

Gene Therapy Strategies To Enhance Antifungal Immunity In Microgravity, Riley Dienna

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

During spaceflight, the immune system of astronauts becomes impaired due to microgravity, resulting in increased susceptibility to infections caused by pathogens such as Candida albicans. One of the most common clinical treatments for aggressive candidiasis is amphotericin B, a polyene antimycotic that targeted ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane and compromised the stability of the membrane. However, due to the chemical similarities between ergosterol and cholesterol, this treatment also affects the somatic cells of patients it is administered to. A novel treatment is therefore required to combat the aggressive fungal infection while minimizing damage to the host’s cells. This project …

Modeling Population Growth With Logistic And Modified Logistic Equations, Mihil Dimpal Patel

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Population growth models are essential tools for understanding how biological populations change over time under environmental constraints. This study examines population dynamics by comparing the classical exponential growth model with the logistic growth model. While exponential growth assumes unlimited resources and results in unbounded population increase, the logistic model incorporates a carrying capacity that limits growth as resources become scarce. To better represent real-world conditions, the logistic model is extended by introducing modifications such as harvesting terms and time-varying carrying capacities, which account for external removal of individuals and changing environmental limits. The equilibria of these models are determined, and …

Exercise Intensity And The Effects On Mood And Wellbeing, Emily Amortegui, Ashley Albert, Riley Ensor, Keyanna Keyanna Jackson

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

With many students dealing with anxiety, sadness, and high levels of stress, mental health issues among college students have grown in intensity. A lot of research has been done on the possible benefits of physical activity for mental health, but most of it focuses on correlations rather than the biological mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of varying exercise intensities on physiological stress markers and mood in college students ages 18 to 25. To assure precise intensity levels, participants from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will work out at low, moderate, and high intensities while wearing heart …

Effects Of Microgravity And Gamma Radiation On Biofilm Growth, Anya Pavlidis, Kaitlyn Mills Mills, Eva Mcclory, Grant Erlinder, Allen Qiu

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Biofilms are collections of bacteria that commonly grow on a variety of surfaces. They are resistant to environmental impacts as bacteria fortify themselves to a surface. Biofilms are commonly found on Earth, but more problematically are also found on spacecraft. On the ISS biofilms have developed in spaces like the workout area, food spaces, and most concerning in the Water Recovery System (WRS). Biofilms tend to react differently to attempted cleaning methods in space than they do on Earth and can be located in extremely difficult to reach places.   This study aims to explore the effects of gamma radiation on …