In this study, the authors test whether excess copper exposure has neurobehavioral effects on Hirudo verbana leeches.
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Assessing grass water use efficiency through smartphone imaging and ImageJ analysis
Overwatering and underwatering grass are widespread issues with environmental and financial consequences. This study developed an accessible method to assess grass water use efficiency (WUE) combining smartphone imaging with open access color unmixing analysis. The method can be applied in automated irrigation systems or apps, providing grass WUE assessment for regular consumer use.
Read More...Influence of socioeconomic status on academic performance in virtual classroom settings
In this study, the authors conduct a survey to evaluate the impact of household socioeconomic status on effectiveness of distance learning for students.
Read More...Psychosocial impact of home-based learning among students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Singapore
In this study, the authors surveyed a number of students in Singapore to determine how their experiences changed after the implementation of home-based learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More...Electromagnetic Radiation From Electronics Does Affect Plant Growth
Plants are the main producers of oxygen and organic compounds. Ensuring the health of these organisms is vital, as recent technologies could be damaging them. The purpose of this study was to find out if electromagnetic (EM) radiation from electronics affects plant growth.
Read More...Fluorescein or Green Fluorescent Protein: Is It Possible to Create a Sensor for Dehydration?
Currently there is no early dehydration detection system using temperature and pH as indicators. A sensor could alert the wearer and others of low hydration levels, which would normally be difficult to catch prior to more serious complications resulting from dehydration. In this study, a protein fluorophore, green fluorescent protein (GFP), and a chemical fluorophore, fluorescein, were tested for a change in fluorescence in response to increased temperature or decreased pH. Reversing the pH change did not restore GFP fluorescence, but that of fluorescein was re-established. This finding suggests that fluorescein could be used as a reusable sensor for a dehydration-related pH change.
Read More...Assessing Materials’ Short-term Effectiveness on Controlling Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Attachment
Zebra mussels are an aquatic invasive species. They attach to essential industrial structures and harm the native ecosystem, costing millions of dollars each year to control. This study explored the effectiveness of two nontoxic materials (Sharklet & Netminder) in combating zebra mussel attachment.
Read More...An Aqueous Solution Containing Soluble Substances From PVC Char Has No Effect on the Rate of Transformation in E. coli Cells
PVC is a widely used plastic that poses harmful health hazards when burned. In this study, the authors ask whether or not burned PVC (PVC char) affects bacterial transformation.
Read More...A potential enzymatic pathway for polystyrene degradation using saliva of greater wax moth Galleria mellonella
Investigation of the potential of waxworm saliva, the secretion of Galleria mellonella, for plastic degradation.
Read More...Effects of Ocean Acidification on Marine Calcium Carbonate
Industrialization has transformed human life and improved it for many. Nonetheless, a side effect has been an increase in chemical waste, which when not disposed of properly, has detrimental effects on surrounding habitats. An increase in ocean acidification could potentially affect many forms of life, disrupting the ecological balance in unforeseeable ways. In this article the authors explore the effect of acidification on corals and shells, and observe that an increase in ocean acidity has a significant effect on corals, but not shells. This illustrates how acidification could negatively affect marine life, and calls our attention to managing the factors that contribute to increasing the pH of the Earth's water bodies.
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