Biology Commons^™

Effects Of Varying Biochar Concentrations On The Growth Of Lactuca Sativa (Newham Bibb Lettuce), Lauren Holler

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective of this research experiment was to investigate the effectiveness of using biochar in potting soil in terms of plant growth and soil quality. This experiment was carried out using varying amounts (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%) of biochar in the soil to see its effect on seed germination, plant growth, and soil quality such as pH, water retention, and soil temperature. The aim of the experiment was to identify whether biochar can be used in soil to promote healthier and stronger plants. There were four treatments which included 0% (Control), 5% (Treatment 1), 10% (Treatment 2), and 20% …

Sexual Di(Et)Morphism: Using Experimental Evolution To Test Whether Resource Partitioning Promotes Divergence Of The Sexes In Drosophila Melanogaster, Owen A. Jamieson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Sexual dimorphism has been a long-studied phenomenon in the field of evolutionary biology. Usually, these differences in morphology, physiology and/or behaviour between the sexes are studied through the parsimonious lens of sexual selection. However, there are natural history cases where this lens does not seem applicable. Some species show sex specific morphological traits whose presence may not be due to a direct benefit to reproduction, but a difference in how each sex interacts with the environment and differing selective pressures from the environment on either sex. Darwin even brought up examples of this kind of dimorphism and pondered their existence, …

Sediment Redox-Driven Iron Flux And Phytoplankton Community Responses: Implications For Cyanobacterial Suppression And Functional Stability Across Boreal Lakes, Julia K. Kozak

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Freshwater eutrophication contributes towards the development of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs), but nutrient availability alone does not fully explain variation in phytoplankton community composition or physiological performance. While phosphorus (P) availability has been known to regulate phytoplanktonic biomass, iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient supporting Fe-heavy processes within cyanobacteria (i.e., nitrogen fixation and photosynthetic electron transport). Sediment Fe availability in freshwater ecosystems is regulated by reduction oxidation (redox) conditions at the sediment-water interface (SWI), where nitrate (NO₃^-) has been found to maintain oxidizing conditions and prevent the reduction of Fe(III) to more readily bioavailable soluble Fe(II), …

Leveraging Mammal Mycophagy To Determine Environmental Drivers Of Truffle Diversity, Brittany Hartsock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many mycorrhizal fungi are hypogeous (truffle-forming), producing underground fruiting bodies. Studying truffles is inherently challenging due to their hidden nature. However, mycophagous mammals provide a unique opportunity to study hypogeous fungi because they rely on truffles as a food source. Although several truffle species have recently been described in the southern Appalachian region, their fruiting patterns remain poorly understood. To address this, we quantified truffle richness and spore loads from 670 Peromyscus scat samples collected across 42 sites spanning an environmental gradient during 2024 in the Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee. We found that truffle richness and spore abundance …

Associations Of Subclinical Hypothyroidism And Thyroid Autoimmunity With Insulin Resistance Independent Of Adiposity: An Analysis Of Nhanes, Iman Taher Hussein

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

A thyroid–inflammation–insulin pathway has been proposed in which thyroid dysfunction promotes inflammation and thereby reduces insulin sensitivity, but adiposity-adjusted population evidence is limited. This cross-sectional analysis examined whether subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and thyroid autoimmunity are associated with insulin resistance independently of body mass index (BMI), and whether C-reactive protein (CRP), the only inflammatory biomarker available, is associated with either, using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012 data. Non-pregnant adults aged 18–60 years with fasting glucose < 126 mg/dL and normal free thyroxine were included; SCH was defined as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) 4.5–10 mIU/L, and insulin resistance was quantified by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Linear regression of log HOMA-IR accounted for the complex survey design (strata, clusters, weights) and was adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and survey cycle, with sensitivity and interaction analyses. Among 2,434 adults (89 with SCH), no association with HOMA-IR was detected for TSH (β = 0.009 per mIU/L; 95% CI -0.014 to 0.032), SCH (β = -0.035; 95% CI -0.186 to 0.115), or thyroid peroxidase …

Calculation Of Alpha-Decay Half-Lives Using A Numerical Approach, Daniel Suescún-Díaz, Rosemberg Gómez-Noguera, Diego Rasero-Causil

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This study introduces a numerical approach for estimating alpha-decay half-lives of alpha-emitting nuclei using a modified five-parameter Woods-Saxon potential. The radial Schrödinger equation is solved with the Numerov method to calculate the wave function and the barrier transmission probability, without relying exclusively on the WKB approximation. The calculations were performed for 398 nuclides taken from the NUBASE2020 database. Of these, 264 nuclides were used for the MWS5 parameter-adjustment stage, whereas the remaining 134 nuclides were reserved for an independent evaluation of the model. The results were compared with those obtained from two reference models: the modified Gamow-Like Model (MGLM) and …

Antioxidant, Anti-Tyrosinase, Anti-Elastase, And Anti-Collagenase Activities Of Propolis Extracts From The Stingless Bee Tetragonula Laeviceps (Smith, 1857), Tri Hadi Handayani, Dimas Andrianto, Sih Kahono, Pamungkas Rizki Ferdian, Raden Lia Rahadian Amalia, Muhamad Ridwan

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Stingless bees incorporate propolis into their nest as a structural and protective material. Information remains limited on how solvent fractionation affects the antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory activities of propolis produced by Indo nesian Tetragonula laeviceps. This study examined a crude extract prepared with 70% ethanol together with the n- hexane, ethyl acetate, and water fractions obtained from it. The analysis comprised total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), three antioxidant assays (ABTS, CUPRAC, TBARS), and inhibition of tyrosinase, elastase, and collagenase. The largest TPC and TFC values were obtained from the ethyl acetate fraction, at 85.93 ± 1.28 mg GAE/g …

The Collagen-Derived Tripeptide Gly-Pro-Hyp Suppresses Fgf-5 Expression And Promotes Anagen Induction In C3h/Hej Mice, Yun-Ho Kim, Jin Seok Kim, Woong Yong Kim, Hyun Jung Jo, Zhe Piao, Yeo Cho Yoon

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Collagen-derived peptides have shown potential in promoting hair growth, yet their effects on catagen-inducing factors remain unexplored. In this study, the hair growth-promoting effects and molecular mechanisms of Collagen-Tripep20 (CTP), a collagen tripeptide preparation containing 3.2% Gly-Pro-Hyp (GPH), were explored, with a specific focus on fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF-5) regulation.

Materials and methods: Female C3H/HeJ mice were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10/group): control, CTP-LOW (400 mg/ kg/day), CTP-HIGH (800 mg/kg/day), and GPH (25.6 mg/kg/day). Following dorsal depilation, test substances were administered dailyvia oral gavage for 7 weeks. Hair regrowth was assessed by visual scoring, histological …

Pifithrin-Α Enhances Ex Vivo Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion, Nesli̇han Meri̇ç, Pinar Çolakoğlu Erkan, Fati̇h Kocabaş

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are essential for treating hematological disorders; however, their low abundance and limited proliferative capacity restrict their clinical use. This study investigated whether pifithrin-α (PFT-α), a small-molecule p53 inhibitor with known genoprotective properties, could enhance the ex vivo expansion of HSCs.

Materials and methods: Mouse lineage-negative (Lin⁻) cells were isolated by magnetic depletion, while human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) and mouse bone marrow (mBM) mononuclear cells were obtained using density gradient centrifugation. CD34⁺ cells were subsequently isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting using an antimouse CD34 antibody. The isolated cells were cultured in StemSpan SFEM II (STEMCELL …

Anti-Helicobacter Pylori Activity Of Polycation-Coated Plga Nanoparticles Loaded With Juglone–Silver Complex, Tural Safarov, Emrah Şefi̇k Abamor, Serap Acar, Murat Topuzoğullari, Bükre Kiran Üner, Kübra Karadaş, Seçi̇l Kaya, Zi̇şan Toprak

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The rising antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori requires the development of novel treatment approaches. Although natural products (e.g., juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone)) and metal antimicrobials (e.g., silver) hold some promise as alternatives, drawbacks like the toxicity and instability of these materials limit their clinical use. Combining juglone and silver with coordination bonds can overcome these drawbacks and yield a more effective antimicrobial complex.

Materials and methods: Juglone–silver (J–Ag) complex was synthesized, encapsulated into PLGA nanoparticles (J–Ag@PLGA), and coated with Eudragit (J–Ag@PLGA+eu). Structural and physicochemical properties of the produced samples were examined using MALDI-TOF MS, FTIR, and UV–Vis spectroscopies; dynamic light scattering; …

Understanding Antimicrobial Peptide Activation In Mesenchymal Stem Cells Through The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway And Inflammatory Signals, Cansu Özdemi̇r Saka, Beyza Turgut, Ceren Tuncay, Cemi̇l Can Eylem, Emi̇rhan Nemutlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides involved in host defense and have been widely studied for their roles in innate immunity against microbial pathogens. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which provide stromal support in tissues such as bone marrow, are also capable of secreting AMPs, although the signaling pathways controlling this function remain unclear. The present study investigates the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling, a xenobiotic response pathway, in AMP production by MSCs.

Materials and methods: To assess AMP activation, human MSCs were stimulated with the agonist FICZ and antagonist SR1. TNF-α + IL-1β and LPS were …

Design And Synthesis Of A Novel Benzoxazine-Based Fluorophore With Potential For Lipid Droplet Targeting In Cancer Cells, Eda Açikgöz, Burak Kuzu, Mustafa Çakir

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Fluorescence-based visualization of lipid droplets is essential for understanding lipid-related mechanisms in cancer and other metabolic diseases. This study aimed to design and evaluate a novel benzoxazine-based fluorescent probe for selective lipid droplet imaging compatible with multiplexed fluorescence applications.

Materials and methods: A novel benzoxazine-based fluorophore (EA), inspired by the structural features of Nile Red, was synthesized via a two-step strategy. Structural characterization was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Biological performance was assessed in cancer cells under fixed- and live-cell imaging conditions, including cytotoxicity evaluation and compatibility with dual staining.

Results: EA selectively localized to …

Msx2 Is An Erα-Associated Transcription Factor That Sustains Proliferative Capacity And Is Associated With Favorable Prognosis In Luminal Breast Cancer​​, Gamze Turan, Eli̇f Kansiz, Gözde Korkmaz, Hande Özkan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women and exhibits substantial molecular heterogeneity. Luminal tumors represent the largest molecular subtype and are primarily driven by estrogen receptor alpha (Erα), ahormone-dependent transcription factor (TF) that regulates gene expression programs controlling proliferation, differentiation, and endocrine response. Herein, the study aimed to identify functionally relevant TFs regulated by ERα as part of a complex regulatory program in luminal BC.

Materials and methods: An integrative transcriptomic approach was applied to identify TFs regulated by ERα in luminal BC. Differential gene expression analysis was integrated with RNA-seq data obtained from estrogen …

Comparison Of Tnfα, Ifnγ, And Dss In Modeling Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Murine Enteroids And Assessment Of The Role Of Zonulin Inhibitor Larazotide Acetate, Sema Nur Gür, Burcu Pervi̇n, Mehmet Emi̇n Şeker, Fati̇ma Aerts Kaya

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. We hypothesized that the zonulin inhibitor larazotide acetate (LA), designed to regulate loss of tight junctions between intestinal cells and currently used for the treatment of celiac disease, could also have potential therapeutic value in the treatment of IBD.

Materials and methods: BALB/c enteroids were exposed to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), or interferon-gamma (IFNγ) for 48 h to induce an IBD-like environment, followed by treatment with LA. Organoids were assessed for intestinal permeability, viability, and expression of the zonulin (Hp), occludin (Ocln), …

Targeting Mitochondrial And Inflammatory Pathways In Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Discovery Of Sigma-1 And Ppar-Γ Agonists Through Plasma Microrna Profiling, Defne Çiğ Kabakcioğlu, İrem Peker Eyüboğlu, Medi̇ Kori̇, Fatma Betül Çeli̇k, Semra Meli̇s Soyer, Mustafa Çalişkan, Can Erzi̇k, Kazim Yalçin Arga, Ceyda Kasavi̇

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular disease marked by progressive aortic dilation, high rupture-associated mortality, and a complete lack of effective pharmacological therapies. Because microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of vascular inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and smooth muscle cell function, they represent highly promising therapeutic targets. The aim of this study was to employ an integrative systems biology framework to identify novel miRNA-drug regulatory axes for AAA intervention.

Materials and methods: AAA transcriptome data were integrated with experimentally validated miRNA–mRNA interactions to prioritize candidate miRNAs. A total of 22 previously unreported miRNAs were selected for further analysis. …

Resveratrol Modulates Oxidative Stress-Associated Responses And Restores Keratinocyte Migration Following Lps-Induced Inflammatory Injury, Şeyma Dümür, Burcu Bi̇lteki̇n, Hafi̇ze Uzun

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Persistent inflammation disrupts keratinocyte migration and contributes to delayed wound healing. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory models are widely used to investigate impaired reepithelialization and inflammatory cellular dysfunction. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound, exhibits antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties; however, its therapeutic effects on established inflammatory dysfunction remain insufficiently characterized. This study investigates the effects of resveratrol on LPS-induced keratinocyte dysfunction and compares them with those of boric acid (BA) under inflammatory conditions.

Methods: Human HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to 10 μg/mL LPS to establish an inflammatory microenvironment. Following LPS pretreatment, the cells were treated with resveratrol (2, 5, or 10 …

Astaxanthin Elicits A Shared Transcriptional Core And Divergent Cell-Type-Specific Esponses In Mcf-7 Breast And Ovcar-3 Ovarian Carcinoma Cells, Duygu Aygüneş Jafari

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Astaxanthin, a marine carotenoid, shows antiproliferative activity across cancer models, but its reported mechanisms vary widely by cell type and comparative studies with a common protocol are scarce. This study compared MCF-7 breast (estrogen/ progesterone receptor-positive; wild-type TP53) and OVCAR-3 ovarian carcinoma (high-grade serous; homozygous TP53 R248Q) cells after astaxanthin treatment at cell-line-specific IC50 concentrations.

Materials and methods: Cytotoxicity was measured by WST-1, apoptosis by annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry, and 43 cancer-associated genes by a pathway-focused RT-qPCR array (n = 3). Relative expression was calculated by comparative ΔΔCt method with ACTB as the reference gene.

Results: At 72 …

Retraction Notice To “Characterization Of Tfiie-Regulated Genes By Transcriptome Analysis” [Turkish Journal Of Biology, Volume 48, Issue 6, Pages 442–455,Https://Doi.Org/10.55730/1300-0152.2718], Serdar Baysal

Turkish Journal of Biology

This article has been retracted.

Following concerns raised after publication, the matter was referred to the TÜBİTAK Committee on Research and Publication Ethics (AYEK) for investigation. An Expression of Concern was published while the investigation was ongoing; it was published in the Turkish Journal of Biology, Volume 49, Issue 3, https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/biology/vol49/iss3/11/.

The investigation has now been concluded. Based on the findings, the project idea and research design underlying the study were used without appropriate attribution or permission. The investigation also determined that a researcher who had contributed to the intellectual foundation of the work—including the development of the …

Pgcc-Derived Daughter Cells Are Associated With Aggressive Phenotypes In Gastric Cancer​, Özlem Türksoy Terzi̇oğlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) have been implicated in tumor recurrence, therapeutic resistance, and cellular plasticity; however, the biological properties of PGCC-derived daughter cells (PGCC-DCs) in gastric cancer remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the molecular and functional characteristics of these progeny cells in a gastric cancer model.

Methods: The PGCCs were induced in HGC-27 gastric cancer cells using cobalt(II) chlorideCoCl2-mediated hypoxic stress and enriched by size-based filtration. The PGCC-DCs were isolated through single-cell culture and characterized using molecular and functional assays. Clinical assessments of the cellular parameters were conducted by comparing the PGCC-DCs with parental …

Building Appreciation For Natural History Collections From Biological Collection Data., Jamie Jensen, Seth Bybee

ScholarsArchive Data

These data represent the pre- and post-survey responses by students in an undergraduate, non-majors biology course given before and after a unit on Natural History Collections. We administered the Revised New Ecological Paradigm (R-NEP; Dunlap et al., 2000) survey which measures pro-environmental attitudes using 15 Likert-scale items.

Risk Factors Associated With Hair Loss Severity Among Female University Students: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study, Roaa Mohammed Jabbar, Rusul Mahdi Abid

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Hair loss is a frequent health problem of women and can have an adverse impact on physical appearance, body image and quality of life. Its development has been attributed to a number of demographics, lifestyle and clinical factors, but which factors have the greatest influence on its development is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the demographical, lifestyle and clinical parameters with hair loss severity among female university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among female university students', and data collected using a structured questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using chi-square, one-way ANOVA and Tukey post …

Global Stabilization Of The Mitochondrial Proteome Is Associated With Extreme Anoxia Tolerance In Austrofundulus Limnaeus Ws40ne Cells, Chelsea Hughes, Meranda M. Corona, Dietmar Kültz, Jason E. Podrabsky

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Austrofundulus limnaeus is an extremophile vertebrate native to small temporary ponds of Venezuela. Embryos of A. limnaeus must survive variable and often extreme conditions, including long periods of anoxia. Neuroepithelial cells derived from these embryos, WS40NE cells, provide a unique tool to understand how the proteome changes in response to anoxic stress. Results Using label-free proteomics, 19,604 peptides and 3487 proteins were quantified in normoxic, 4d anoxic, and 24 h recovery WS40NE cells. Of these, 2612 proteins (74.9%) were statistically significantly differentially abundant in at least one comparison: 1988 comparing normoxia to 4 days anoxia (57.0%), 923 comparing 4 …

Radiological And Chemical Safety Assessment Of Drinking Water From Treatment Plants And Rivers In Kut City, Iraq, Ahmed A. Alswaty, Hadi D. Alattabi

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Climate change and increasing anthropogenic activities, particularly wastewater discharge into rivers, have raised pollution levels in the water sources of Kut City, necessitating an assessment of the radiological and chemical safety of drinking water at the city's treatment plants. Thirteen water samples were collected, comprising ten treated and three raw water samples from the source rivers. An HPGe detector was used to measure the radionuclides ²¹⁴Bi, ²¹⁴Pb, ²¹²Bi, ²¹²Pb, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs. All measured radionuclides were below the minimum detectable activity (MDA). ICP-OES analysis supported these findings, as U concentrations in most samples were …

Role Of The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (Ahr) In Cellular Response To Novel Chemotherapeutic Compounds, Alexis Fagg '28, Jacoba Hensley '27, Emma Krsak '28

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in the United States and around the world, with approximately 320,000 new cases estimated to be diagnosed, and over 40,000 cancer-related deaths estimated in 2026 (American Cancer Society, Key Statistics for Breast Cancer). While cancer treatments have improved significantly in the past decade, particularly in the area of immunotherapy, these therapies are not effective in solid tumors like breast cancer. There are many therapeutic options for early-stage breast cancer, but new therapeutic options continue to be necessary, particularly to prevent progression of cancers and to treat advanced, metastatic tumors. …

An Exploration Of Plasticity In Apocynum Cannabinum, Mia Moore 28, Rose Keith

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum Cannabinum) is a perennial plant native to the United States known for being extremely plastic, meaning its morphological traits adapt to its environment. This study explores how dogbane adapts to microgeographic variance and how its morphological traits are influenced by its genetics vs. the environment. We conducted various experiments over the summer. The first was a large census at the beginning of the summer where we measured several morphological traits of dogbane from the quarry bottom of the DePauw Nature Park (DNP) and various other locations in or adjacent to the DNP. We repeated this census at …

Parents Don’T Dictate The Menu: Lack Of Strong Host-Specific Parental Effects May Help Maintain Dietary Generalism, Emma J. Sellers, Mayra C. Vidal, Dhaval K. Vyas, Mykaela Tanino-Springsteen, Gina M. Wimp, Mattheau S. Comerford, Mariana Abarca, Shannon M. Murphy

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The environment or experiences of a parent generation can impact the fitness of the next generation, a phenomenon known as parental effects. While a high-quality diet can directly benefit an individual and a low-quality diet can reduce fitness, a parental effect occurs only when there is a transgenerational response to these stimuli that manifests in the individual’s offspring. In dietary generalists, a parental effect could play an important role for offspring performance if the species experiences considerable variation in quality across host plants; posi- tive parental effects may result from host matching between parents and offspring on high-quality host plants, …

Implementation Of The Problem-Based Learning Model On The Topic Of The Immune System To Enhance The Critical Thinking Skills Of Grade Xi B Students At Sman 1 Tojo, Nani Sofyanti, Sutrisnawati Sutrisnawati, Vita Indri Febriani, Mohammad Jamhari, Bustamin Bustamin, Raya Agni

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Critical-thinking skills are essential competencies for students in 21st-century learning. Preliminary classroom observations in Class XI B at SMAN 1 Tojo indicated that instruction remained predominantly teacher-centered and provided limited opportunities for students to engage in activities involving interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference. This study aimed to improve students’ critical-thinking skills through the implementation of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) on the immune system topic. The study employed a Classroom Action Research (CAR) design conducted over two cycles, involving 28 students in Class XI B. Data were collected using a teacher activity observation sheet and critical-thinking skills tests assessing four indicators: interpretation, …

Junior High School Students’ Understanding Of Pathogenic Microbes In The School Environment: A Cross-Grade Descriptive Study At Smp Alkhairaat 1 Palu, Feren Febrianti, I Nengah Kundera, Yulia Windarsih, Mohammad Jamhari, Mursito S. Bialangi, Abdul Ashari

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study aimed to describe students’ understanding of pathogenic microbes and compare descriptive comprehension profiles across Grades VII, VIII, and IX at SMP Alkhairaat 1 Palu. A quantitative descriptive approach was employed involving 49 students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using an essay test as the primary instrument, supported by semi-structured interviews and observations of the school environment. The essay test assessed three indicators: conceptual knowledge of pathogenic microbes, understanding of disease transmission mechanisms, and understanding of clean and healthy practices for preventing the transmission of pathogenic microbes. Test data were analyzed descriptively using mean percentage scores, while …

The Ability Of Biology Teachers Of State Madrasah Aliyah In Palu City In Developing Teaching Modules In Merdeka Curriculum, Ulya Afifa, Gamar B. N Shamdas, Syech Zainal, Bustamin Bustamin, Raya Agni, Rafiqa Rafiqa

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Teachers’ ability to develop teaching modules is essential for implementing the Merdeka Curriculum because it enables curriculum expectations to be translated into flexible and context-responsive learning. This study aimed to describe Biology teachers’ ability to develop teaching modules at State Islamic Senior High Schools (Madrasah Aliyah Negeri [MAN]) in Palu City and to identify the factors supporting or constraining this ability. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with seven Biology teachers from MAN 1 Palu, MAN 2 Palu, and MAN Insan Cendekia Palu during February–March 2026. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, documentation, and analysis of teaching modules using …

Tarantulas Can Use Black And White Cues In A Discrimination Learning Task, Jordan Kolinski, Becky Hansis O'Neill, Amiee Dunlap

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Animals use vision to perceive light, shapes, colors, and movement. Many animals that have poor vision are understudied. The purpose of this experiment was to study color vision in tarantulas (Brachypelma hamorii). Researchers have found genes associated with color vision tarantulas, but no behavioral experiments have been done on this topic. Previous research has also shown that tarantulas can see polarized light. In this experiment, we wanted to know if tarantulas could use visual cues to move away from a noxious stimulus - vibration. There were twelve tarantulas being tested in this experiment for between twelve and fifteen …