Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Biology Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 19 of 19

Full-Text Articles in Biology

Resolving Commingling, Restoring Identity: An Interdisciplinary Collaboration And Ethical Study Of Individuals From A Human Skeletal Teaching Collection, Morgann L. Lucas, Morgan J. Elmore, Christine Chen, Carolann Cockerill, Mekenzie Davis, Vivian N. Pham, Matthew Kolmann, Linda Fuselier, Kathryn E. Marklein Sep 2023

Resolving Commingling, Restoring Identity: An Interdisciplinary Collaboration And Ethical Study Of Individuals From A Human Skeletal Teaching Collection, Morgann L. Lucas, Morgan J. Elmore, Christine Chen, Carolann Cockerill, Mekenzie Davis, Vivian N. Pham, Matthew Kolmann, Linda Fuselier, Kathryn E. Marklein

The Cardinal Edge

In Fall 2022, human skeletal remains were discovered in the Department of Biology’s Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory. No documentation about the acquisition or curation history was found. With no current protocols for repatriating individuals in university skeletal teaching collections, an interdisciplinary research team analyzed the skeletal remains to resolve to commingle and identify the people. Using standardized methods in forensic anthropology, we estimated the minimum number of individuals represented through taphonomic, demographic, paleopathological, and morphological variables and variation. Results indicated, minimally, 36 to 56 individuals represented by 250 bones. Of these individuals, 12 were estimated as probable female, 16 as …


Occam's Razor Vol. 9 - Full (2019) Jan 2019

Occam's Razor Vol. 9 - Full (2019)

Occam's Razor

No abstract provided.


Water Supply In Developing Countries: Student Experiences In The Dominican Republic, Albert Alwang, Margaret Busse, Audrey Caprio, Marieke Fenton, Jason Hawes, Andrew Kanach, Autumn Mcelfresh-Sutton Oct 2017

Water Supply In Developing Countries: Student Experiences In The Dominican Republic, Albert Alwang, Margaret Busse, Audrey Caprio, Marieke Fenton, Jason Hawes, Andrew Kanach, Autumn Mcelfresh-Sutton

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

In 2010, the United Nations established access to safe drinking water as a basic human right; however, many areas around the globe still lack access. The interdisciplinary service-learning course “Water Supply in Developing Countries” was established at Purdue in 2012 to address the complex issue of water insecurity around the world. Over the past five years, the course has produced teams involving students from nursing, engineering, agricultural economics, biology, and food science working together to develop sustainable, community-scale drinking water treatment systems. In partnership with Aqua Clara International, the student team in 2017 established a drinking water treatment system at …


The Origins Of Morality, Paulina Sanchez Jun 2017

The Origins Of Morality, Paulina Sanchez

Dialogue & Nexus

In modern society, there exists a standard for moral conduct that seems to reign universal over many societies of people. Pinpointing the origins of morality, however, can become problematic because of how one approaches what morality is and what its purpose is in society. Psychologists may point out the social constructs and norms that allow for morality to unfold. Evolutionary biologists may give evidence of human-related species that have developed similar behavioral standards. A Christian theologian may look to scripture in explaining a Creator who ordained that all abide by the standards of conduct most pleasing to this deity. Which …


A New Taxonomy Of Altruism In Terms Of Prosocial Behaviors, Kristin Kaiser Jun 2017

A New Taxonomy Of Altruism In Terms Of Prosocial Behaviors, Kristin Kaiser

Dialogue & Nexus

The definition of altruism has been studied, explained, and even confused by many scholars in various fields. The term itself has been inappropriately used to describe prosocial behaviors that do not fall within the definition of altruism. An evaluation of Grant Ramsey’s taxonomy of altruism, which includes biological altruism, psychological altruism, and helping altruism, proves that it is not adequate in categorizing organism’s behaviors. A new taxonomy, with the branches of kin selection, reciprocity, and aesthetic altruism, is presented and explained to clarify the definition of altruism and alleviate confusion about how to describe prosocial behaviors. Both naming systems are …


Volume 3 Editorial, Daniel Brannan May 2017

Volume 3 Editorial, Daniel Brannan

Dialogue & Nexus

No abstract provided.


Occam's Razor Vol. 7 - Full (2017) Jan 2017

Occam's Razor Vol. 7 - Full (2017)

Occam's Razor

No abstract provided.


Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Cause To Treatment, Tavleen Aulakh Jan 2016

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Cause To Treatment, Tavleen Aulakh

Occam's Razor

Imagine two individuals, both suffering from severe liver damage. With excess fat molecules concentrated in the hepatic cells, their livers are inflamed and scarred. These deteriorating livers are also supplementing the development of chronic obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hyperlipidemia. While one of these individuals is a middle-aged male with a long history of alcohol addiction and abuse, the other is only thirteen years old and has never consumed alcohol. This adolescent is suffering from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).


Occam's Razor Vol. 6 - Full (2016) Jan 2016

Occam's Razor Vol. 6 - Full (2016)

Occam's Razor

No abstract provided.


"What Is Love?" The Sounds Of Love From William S. Burroughs, Kathryn Cronin Jan 2015

"What Is Love?" The Sounds Of Love From William S. Burroughs, Kathryn Cronin

Occam's Razor

William Burroughs, his life and works, have a set beginning and end, but the biological and spiritual connections he draws between language, sound, and the human body appear to have undefined points of origin. Sound has always been. Language has always been. To exist outside of language and sound is to exist outside of time and space and thus outside the body. Burroughs’ theories on language, the word, and their connection to the body are woven through texts filled with structural and narrative convolutions. ­ Nova Trilogy, especially The Ticket that Exploded, as well as the early novel …


Occam's Razor Vol. 5 - Full (2015) Jan 2015

Occam's Razor Vol. 5 - Full (2015)

Occam's Razor

No abstract provided.


Occam's Razor Vol. 4 - Full (2014) Jan 2014

Occam's Razor Vol. 4 - Full (2014)

Occam's Razor

No abstract provided.


Science Fiction And The Myth Of Trajectory Evolution, Jocelyn D. Pickreign Jun 2013

Science Fiction And The Myth Of Trajectory Evolution, Jocelyn D. Pickreign

The Macalester Review

Stephen Jay Gould first proposed the idea of “iconographies of progress.” Today, one of the most prominent forms of progress iconography is the science fiction story. Science fiction as a genre frequently portrays evolution as a linear trajectory of increasing complexity, and in doing so, furthers a worldview that is not unlike the pre-Darwin understanding of human beings as both the center and the pinnacle of the natural world.


Concrete Shroud, Jake Reller, Mariah Tate Klemens Jan 2013

Concrete Shroud, Jake Reller, Mariah Tate Klemens

Occam's Razor

Concrete shroud is an exhibition originating from a dialogue between the two artists, culminating in a series of lectures written by Mariah Tate Klemens and Jake Reller.


Community, Culture And Identity In An Age Of Globalization, Katie Wiggins Jan 2013

Community, Culture And Identity In An Age Of Globalization, Katie Wiggins

Occam's Razor

As we move further into the age of globalization, we are seeing changes not only at a global level but at individual and communal levels; changes that we cannot wholly identify but that we recognize in ourselves. We are adapting to a global world, one that is affecting our identity and culture and, as we attempt to hold on to this identity and still converse with a larger world, we ultimately are forced to reshape our identities. Some may wonder what this will mean for the future and to what extent it affects us as individuals and communities. To answer …


Occam's Razor Vol. 3 - Full (2013) Jan 2013

Occam's Razor Vol. 3 - Full (2013)

Occam's Razor

No abstract provided.


Occam's Razor Vol. 2 - Full (2012) Jan 2012

Occam's Razor Vol. 2 - Full (2012)

Occam's Razor

No abstract provided.


Preservation And Use Of Natural Resources In The Developing World: A Case Study Of The Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Emily Green Jan 2011

Preservation And Use Of Natural Resources In The Developing World: A Case Study Of The Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Emily Green

Occam's Razor

Developing nations often overlook the environmental effects of industrialization. However, these nations need healthy, sustainable resources in order to become prosperous and stable countries. Additionally, developed nations depend upon the natural resources of developing nations as raw materials. Loss of natural resources in developing nations therefore has effects at both national and global levels. A key challenge across the globe is balancing the human need for development with the necessity of the sustainable use and protection of natural resources. In the process of finding this balance, developing nations are revising both their national definition of conservation as well as the …


Occam's Razor Vol. 1 - Full (2011) Jan 2011

Occam's Razor Vol. 1 - Full (2011)

Occam's Razor

No abstract provided.