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Effects of Zone Smelling Salts on Locomotion and Anxiety in Drosophila melanogaster
Full text linkIn recent years, the use of smelling salts has become increasingly popular among athletes due to the perceived beneficial effects of ammonia gas inhalation. However, previous studies have revealed little evidence supporting these effects, which include increased muscle strength, enhanced focus, and increased endurance during athletic activities. These studies have also shown that short term exposure to smelling salts does not result in any adverse side effects. There is, however, a lack of understanding regarding the potential adverse effects related to more long-term and repeated use of smelling salts. To obtain a greater insight into the physiological effects of smelling salt use, this study tested the effects of Zone Smelling Salts on gene expression and behavior in the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. It was hypothesized that exposure to Zone Smelling Salt would increase in locomotion and anxiety, as well as cause an upregulation of CYC and ACC gene expression. The CYC gene functions as a regulator of circadian rhythm through the transcription of the protein USP-8 while the ACC gene encodes for an enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine, which is related to locomotion as well as respiratory system integrity. To test this hypothesis, expression of the CYC and ACC genes was measured using Rt-qPCR while locomotion and anxiety were analyzed using behavioral assays that measure wall climbing, wall following, and chemotaxis. The resulting data revealed that Zone Smelling Salt exposure in D. melanogaster resulted in a significant decrease in CYC gene expression, along with a significant increase in anxiety related and avoidance behaviors. The results of this study suggest that there are adverse effects to smelling salt inhalation, which requires further investigation
How Does Soy Consumption Affect Fertility? A Systematic Review.
Full text linkObjective: To review the current literature assessing the effects of soy on fertility and the biological markers related to fertility.
Methods: Articles were gathered through PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar in fall 2024 to assess the different ways in which soy consumption affects fertility in both men and women. The components of fertility or interest are AMH levels, sperm concentration, estradiol concentration, and antral follicle count.
Results: Most of the articles found a negative correlation between soy consumption and the factors attributed to fertility. However, there were some articles that did not find any statistically significant relationship between soy consumption and fertility; along with some articles finding a positive correlation between the two in women.
Conclusion: Soy consumption has been shown to negatively impact fertility rates along with the factors that contribute to fertility in both men and women. Further research is needed in order to better understand the demographic significance of soy consumption on fertility
A Quantitative Analysis of Confidence Levels of Statistics Students
Full text linkWithin education, student confidence is determined by a person’s belief in their ability to experience success. Research on student self-efficacy points to the idea that students' higher or lower confidence levels can directly affect overall achievement. With this knowledge, the following study assesses two classes of Carroll College Introduction to Statistics students on their perceived self-efficacy, disposition toward statistics, relationship with the course professor, ability levels in statistics, and overall personal feelings about math to observe whether any of these areas directly correlate to the final grades of the students. In this case, achievement is measured using students’ final grades within the course. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-squared tests for independence, it was found that a strong, positive correlation existed between each area of the study and the student’s final grades. Therefore, a correlation may exist between higher grades and positive perceptions of each area within a mathematics classroom
The Influence of Personality-Associated Factors on Phone Dependency
Full text linkIn the field of behavioral psychology, impulsivity and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) have been associated with smartphone dependence, with potential differences in behaviors between genders. Previous studies on phone usage have measured phone dependence by the user’s screen time. This study varies by looking at both screen time and phone pickups. The study was conducted out of curiosity to see if there is another association between these factors and phone pickups. Phone pickups are tracked every time the user picks up and opens their phone. Previous studies suggest impulsivity is linked to quick responses to stimuli without thinking, while FOMO relates to the need for social gratification (Moeller et al., 2001; Saibaba, 2022). There is limited to no current research on the newer feature of phones that allows the user to track their pick-up rates. The current study examines correlations between impulsivity, FOMO, and phone dependence, with additional analysis of gender differences. Participants (n=70), recruited from Carroll College psychology courses, completed the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), FOMO Scale (FoMOs), and Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV). Additionally, data on the weekly average amount of phone pickups and screen time were collected from each participant, offering insights into the impact of smartphone usage. The hypotheses of this study predict that frequent phone pickups correlate with higher impulsivity, smartphone addiction, and FOMO scores, with men scoring higher on impulsivity and women scoring higher on FOMO. Results suggest FOMO scores are positively correlated with phone pickup scores. Additionally, women had a higher number of phone pickups on average compared to men. Otherwise, results on the correlation between pickups and impulsivity, plus pickups and smartphone addiction, were not statistically significant. These findings lead psychologists to continue in the pursuit of knowledge about behaviors that cause high levels of phone usage per day amongst smartphone users
How Cryotherapy Influences Pain Management and Swelling in Acute Musculoskeletal Tissue Injury: A Systematic Review
Full text linkObjective: To review relevant literature concerning the current clinical protocol for use of cryotherapy in acute musculoskeletal tissue injury.
Methods: Literature was gathered from Pubmed and CINAHL to assess the efficacy of cryotherapy in acute musculoskeletal injury, including the ankle and the knee. Interventions assessed include duration of cryotherapy and compression to the injury.
Results: The reviewed literature supported the current clinical practice of cryotherapy, which is the use of placing some sort of cold treatment (ice pack, icing machines, frozen vegetables, etc.) on the injury in 10-20 minute intervals. Though, in some cases, it can be beneficial to the patient to also include other forms of treatment alongside cryotherapy, such as compression.
Conclusions: The use of cryotherapy in acute musculoskeletal tissue injury has shown to be the best treatment in the healing of these injuries in the beginning phase. While cryotherapy proves to be the most effective way to treat these injuries, additional research should be done to find if paired treatments (cryotherapy plus compression, ultrasound, elevation) are even more effective
The Effects of L-Theanine on Memory, Locomotion, and Anxiety in Drosophila melanogaster
Full text linkHomeopathic supplements have been marketed as therapeutic agents that promote a variety of health benefits. Although homeopathy continues to be practiced as a form of medicine, the effectiveness and safety measures of this approach have not been thoroughly studied. Previous research has proposed the use of L-Theanine as a method for improving neuroprotective functions, alleviating anxiety, and strengthening cognitive abilities, but the scope of the physiological effects mediated by L-Theanine remains unclear. Supporting or refuting the claims associated with L-Theanine through experimental research on model organisms could lead to improvements of current research on the supplement and its potential use in alternative health treatments. Based on prior findings, it was hypothesized that the addition of L-Theanine to the diet of Drosophila melanogaster would increase expression of the Gad1 and per genes, which play a role in neuronal inhibition and circadian rhythm regulation, respectively. It was further hypothesized that an upregulation of these genes would be supported by enhanced memory, slower locomotion, and reduced anxiety. To test these hypotheses, RT-qPCR analysis was performed to assess changes in gene expression and behavioral assays were conducted on visual memory, wall-climbing, and wall-following. The results from this study showed no significant changes in expression of the Gad1 and per genes between the control and L-Theanine-treated groups of D. melanogaster. Additionally, no significant changes in visual memory, locomotion, and anxiety-related behavior were found across both groups, indicating a lack of influence of L-Theanine on nervous system function
Characterization of Microbial Communities in Relation to Nitrogen in Montana Lake Sediments
No full textAs water safety is becoming an increasingly important issue, it is critical to understand the influence of nutrient input on water resources. Nitrogen compounds from agricultural and industrial runoff commonly accumulate in aquatic environments and impact microbial growth. Microbial communities are foundational to food webs and affect ecosystem health and function; thus, nitrogen contamination affects both the environment and our future sources of safe drinking water. This study aimed to characterize the relationship between nitrogen levels and microbial communities in eight small lakes and reservoirs across Central and Northwest Montana. Nitrogen levels were hypothesized to be associated with altered microbial community composition and diversity. Water and sediment samples were collected for chemical and microbial analysis over three years (fall of 2022, fall of 2023, and spring of 2024). Water samples were analyzed for combined nitrate and nitrite concentrations via colorimetry. Genomic DNA was extracted from sediment samples, followed by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and Oxford Nanopore sequencing to determine the relative composition of bacterial taxa in each sampling location. Here, findings are presented on the patterns of microbial communities among Montana water sources in relation to nitrogen levels across the three years of sample collection to address increased concerns regarding the quality of our water sources
The Effect of Birth Ball Use on Labor Duration
No full textAbstract only.Prolonged labor can increase maternal fatigue, risk of medical interventions, and overall dissatisfaction with the birthing experience. There is a growing focus in the obstetric field on non-pharmacologic interventions to improve labor outcomes and birth experience. Birthing balls are an accessible non-pharmacologic laboring tool. A birthing ball is a large, inflatable exercise ball that is used to increase pelvic movement, promote optimal fetal positioning, and enhance maternal comfort during labor. Labor duration refers to the time from the onset of regular contractions to the delivery of the baby. In this context, birthing ball movement refers to pelvic movements performed while seated on the birthing ball, including but not limited to rocking, bouncing, or circular movements.
The purpose of this Evidence-Based Practice review is to evaluate whether the use of birthing ball movements during labor can reduce the duration of labor compared to women who do not use a birthing ball. This review examines current research related to birthing ball use and labor outcomes, specifically looking at labor length. The purpose of the paper is to provide nurses with current knowledge and supply evidence-based practices to support laboring individuals. Nurses or other healthcare providers can use this information to provide laboring patients with an accessible, low-cost intervention to improve maternal outcomes and decrease labor duration
Study and Synthesis of Sulfonium Ylide Carbene Precursor Molecules
No full textThis research explores the synthesis of sulfonium ylides as carbene precursor molecules. A carbene is a highly reactive molecule containing a neutral carbon atom with two nonbonded electrons and two substituents Due to their unique reactivity, carbenes are important in chemistry because they play key roles in catalysis, organic synthesis, and material science. As part of a proposed five-step synthesis to generate sulfonium ylide precursor molecules, ,-unsaturated ketone 1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(4-bromophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one was synthesized, as evidenced by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Further modification of this molecule via oxidation was attempted; however, despite exploring multiple routes, including hydrolysis, epoxidation, and oxidation, success was not achieved, and an alternate synthetic route was proposed. This research provides valuable insights into carbene precursor synthesis, particularly in understanding carbon-based compound formation essential for life and beneficial for modern material synthesis
Linum perenne as a Greenstripping Plant
No full textWildfires have become an increasingly dire social issue in recent years due to the complex interactions between human development and anthropogenic climate change. The invasive grass Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass), exacerbates the problems posed by climate change by producing optimal conditions for the spread of wildfires. Due to its phenology, Bromus provides high quantities of dry fuel for fires in the early summer. It also grows particularly well in the nitrogen rich environment of scorched soil, allowing it to repropagate rapidly after a wildfire before any native plants can do so. The high growth rate of cheatgrass creates more dry fuel in turn, and the cycle continues. To combat this phenomena, restoration with native plant species is emerging as a common recourse for wildfire management. One such use of native plants occurs with the practice of greenstripping. Greenstripping is the cultivation of a “strip” of fire resistant plants in fire-prone areas to serve as a barrier that prevents fires from spreading too quickly. Linum perenne (wild flax or perennial flax), is a strong candidate for use in greenstripping due to its high moisture content and small leaf area. Linum’s fire-resistant qualities, as well as its ability to grow in scorched soil, will be compared to Bromus over the course of a growing season. This study aims to provide more concrete data in support of wild flax’s use for wildfire reclamation and prevention, especially as relates to the invasive cheatgrass wildfire cycle