3020 research outputs found
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Park Findings
No full textThe purpose of trying to track the amount of equipment that is used is to keep the amount of attention regulated. If we know how populated the parks are then it is helpful for the research that way we know where the wildlife would be and how they react based on the amount of traffic through the site. To conduct this research, we will use acoustic monitoring and cameras to detect how the wildlife reacts through the whole day. Throughout conducting this research, the researchers expect that the less populated sites should get more action from the flying squirrels. Flying squirrels are rare in our area but with the right data and research there is a chance to track one down. Proposing that the flying squirrels don’t work out the back up is examining other animals. The choice of animal is a racoon. A good hypothesis of thought for raccoons is, if we change the amount of fruit we leave out for the racoons will the number of racoons change every time? Raccoons are attracted by food so fruit would be the best bats. Racoons are popular animals we see in parks. Our experiment is taking place in parks in the surrounding areas of the school. Having a thought that the flying squirrels will not show up, plenty of raccoons should be visible in our equipment. On the trail camera, we could catch them easily. Only thing to think about is if we should focus on racoons instead of flying squirrels
Wet and Cold Dry Sand Germination
No full textThe purpose of the study was to to increase the population of milkweed. The issue to be studied was finding the best method to use for vernalization and germination of Asclepias tuberosa. The research guidelines were to divide the milkweed seeds between cold dry and wet dry conditions and place in the fridge at 40 degrees F. Then the seeds were germinated and watered for 14 days. The results showed that cold dry conditions produced the highest seed germination compared to the cold dry conditions. For additional/future data, we could compare the sand cold wet conditions to different methods and/or bases. Cold wet vernalization can help increase milkweed populations for Monarch butterflies
Beneath the Surface: A Deep Dive into Water Quality
No full textAs industrial developments permeated more and more land, pollutants began to contaminate water quality in the Indian Creek. Following the discovery of this issue, scientists at JCCC began to formulate a solution to this problem in the form of a basin that would serve to filtrate the water going into the creek. In this study, water collected from the JCCC basin was assessed for a variety of potential contaminants and overall quality through the use of both meters and test strips. Analysis of a variety of types of test strips revealed slight variability in certain parameters compared to meter readings, particularly in pH and hardness. Notably, nitrate, nitrite, and lead levels were below detection limits, which suggests effective removal of these common pollutants often found in runoff. Observed levels of other substances tested in this lab suggest that the basin is effectively mitigating several potential contaminants. The absence or trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide, heavy metals (copper, lead, manganese, mercury), and certain anions (sulfate, zinc, fluoride) indicate limited input or efficient filtration of these substances. Other potential contaminants were also detected at levels well below their accepted limits in groundwater. Overall, the basin appears to be performing well in managing the common pollutants that it was designed to mitigate as evidenced by the near absence of nitrates, nitrites, and other listed contaminants
Discovering the Function of an Unknown Protein Using Bioinformatics Tools
No full textThe main goal of this research project is to identify an unknown protein and its biological function. Tools used will include BLAST, Inter-pro, DALI, Foldseek, CLEAN, and BRENDA to compare sequences, find similar motifs, and confirm 3-D structures. By using these multiple biotechnical tools, I hope to gain an understanding of how to recognize protein sequences and use the similarities to determine potential functions
Enhancing Beer Consumability Through Chemical Modification
No full textThis study explores the impact of chemical additives on beer consumability. By conducting a series of experiments, we examined the effects of 250 mg/L of iron and 350 µM EDTA on beer properties. Our findings provide insights into potential methods for optimizing beer quality through controlled chemical adjustments
Exploring Soil Bacteria: Nature\u27s Antibiotic Producers
No full textThe Tiny Earth Project is focused on researching soil for bacteria with the possible discovery of novel antibiotics. The purpose of this research is to combat the known pathogenic bacteria that are harming humans. Even with the current discovery of antibiotics, problems still exist in combating these bacteria due to the building up of resistance to the antibiotics. For that reason, the project aims to discover new antibiotics to fight against these resistances as well as the bacteria itself. During the research conducted, we were able to see the bacteria isolated from a soil collection inhibit the growth of some safe ESKAPEs (non-pathogenic relatives of the ESKAPE pathogen); the candidate bacteria was tested against E.faecalis, S.epidermis, E.coli, A.baylyi, P.putida, and E.aerogenes. This means that the bacteria used for research has a possibility of creating a new antibiotic that can fight the pathogenic bacteria or their resistance
Hunting Pathogen Inhibiting Bacteria: The Story of Peanut
No full textMost antibiotics commonly used in society today are becoming less effective in treating infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, which are continually developing and adapting. Many of these antibiotics were discovered by observing microorganisms found in soil, and the Tiny Earth Network (TEN) has continued this research by partnering with instructors and students around the globe in search of new antibiotic-producing microorganisms living undiscovered within the soil. In contribution to this research, I performed a serial dilution using a soil sample collected in Gardner, KS. From the plates created in this dilution, twelve candidate organisms were selected for their ability to inhibit the growth of neighboring microbes. The candidate organisms were then subjected to experiments designed to test their ability to inhibit the growth of safe relative species to known pathogenic bacteria. More specifically, the chosen tester strains are related to the ESKAPE pathogens- six bacterial species considered major threats within a clinical setting. Candidate organism number seven, Peanut, was selected for its ability to significantly inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis, the chosen safe relative of the ESKAPE pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Though Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found on the skin and in the nose of humans, where it does not cause harm, if it finds its way into the bloodstream or internal tissues, it can cause severe or even fatal infections. Further, Staphylococcus aureus is a very adaptable organism that has developed resistance to many common antibiotics widely used today
From Transition to Transformation: Designing a First-Year Experience Course for Johnson County Community College
No full textThis sabbatical project examines the rationale, design, and implementation considerations for establishing a required First-Year Experience (FYE) course at Johnson County Community College (JCCC). As the first year of college represents a critical period of transition—particularly for community college students navigating academic, personal, and institutional challenges—this study investigates how a structured, research-based FYE course can support student persistence, engagement, and success. Drawing on an extensive review of national research, analysis of peer community college models, and site visits and interviews with faculty, administrators, advisors, and counselors, the project explores best practices for FYE course design with particular attention to equity, access, and scalability. Findings indicate that required FYE courses, especially those offering flexible credit options and incorporating high-impact practices, centralized curriculum, embedded advising, and intentional instructor training, are associated with improved academic outcomes and retention, particularly for first-generation and historically underserved students. Based on these findings, the project proposes a model FYE framework tailored to the institutional context, student demographics, and strategic priorities of JCCC. The report concludes that implementing a required, well-designed FYE course represents a timely and strategic opportunity for JCCC to strengthen student transition, foster belonging and learner agency, and advance institutional goals related to equity and completion
