Resilience in the Face of Climate Change: Exploring the Ecophysiology, Adaptation, and Conservation of Mytilus Edulis in the Gulf of Maine

The Gulf of Maine is among the fastest-warming marine environments globally, facing rapid increases in temperature and ocean acidification. These stressors jeopardize the Blue Mussel, Mytilus edulis, a foundational species vital for maintaining biodiversity, water quality, and coastal economies. This research investigates the resilience and vulnerability of M. edulis under combined thermal and acidification stressors, with a focus on thresholds of physiological breakdown. Key findings reveal critical thermal limits (\u3e25°C) and pH thresholds (\u3c7.3) beyond which metabolic, immune, and shell formation processes deteriorate. Conservation strategies such as selective breeding, habitat protection, and adaptive management are essential to ensure the survival of this keystone species in a changing climate

Where the Light Seeps Through: An Exploration of the Power of Climate Fiction for Maintaining Hope and Inspiring Action in Young Readers

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Individual-level Data to Accompany “Respiratory Plasticity Induced by Chronic Hyperoxia in Juvenile and Adult Rats”

Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to chronic hyperoxia (60% O 2 ) as juveniles or as adults. Ventilation (whole-body plethysmography) and metabolic rate (respirometry) were then measured in normoxia (21% O 2 , balance N 2 ) and during acute hypoxic or hypercapnic challenges (15 – 20 minutes in 12% O 2 or 7% CO 2 , respectively) immediately following chronic hyperoxia or after a period of recovery in room air. The linked data files contain the individual-level ventilation and metabolism data. The full methods and summary data are available in the peer-reviewed article: Bavis RW, Danielson MD, Dufour G, Hanus J, Pratt AE, Tobin KE, 2025. Respiratory plasticity induced by chronic hyperoxia in juvenile and adult rats. Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology 333: 104386. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2024.104386] This article will be freely be available to download from PubMed Central on 2/1/2026 here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39732308

Melodies in Motion: How Movie Soundtracks Shape Our Perspective

This podcast explores how movie soundtracks influence our perception and emotions. The speakers dive into the neuroscience underlying these phenomena, and then provide an example from The Titanic to illustrate what they mean.https://scarab.bates.edu/mediamindyou/1000/thumbnail.jp

Say YES to the Text: Exploring the Open Textbook Landscape

This presentation was given at Bates College during Open Education Week 2024. Textbook affordability is a perennial concern for our students and one that we as educators have the power to address. The Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning along with Ladd Library explored the open textbook landscape, and (a) reviewed college costs, textbook market trends, and the impact these have on our students; (b) learned about Open Educational Resources (OER) and where to find materials that suited thier courses; and (c) worked with Research Liaisons to search for open materials. Faculty came with a course in mind, a laptop/tablet AND left with a new open textbook they could read, review, or adopt for thier course

Beyond the Game: Assessing the IMPACT of a Collegiate Sports Mentorship Program on Psychosocial Development in Children With Disabilities and Serious Illnesses

Mentorship relationships may be particularly beneficial for children with disabilities and serious illnesses in building their positive youth development and self-determination. The present mixed-methods study aimed to explore the characteristics of mentorship matches between children with disabilities and serious illnesses and collegiate sports teams that fostered psychosocial development among child participants. The study focused on program evaluation surveys (N = 169) completed by the parents of participants in the Team IMPACT organization at one to two time points between August 2022 and October 2023. Across all participating children, (Mage = 12.25, SD = 2.97) at Time 1, 36% were female and at Time 2, 42% were female. Participants had a wide range of diagnoses. Using thematic qualitative analysis of the open-ended survey responses and anecdotal data from a parent focus group, I identified a three-phase process of empowerment by the mentoring sports team as a precursor for growth in a range of support factors, internal assets, and social skills that supported participants’ positive youth development and self-determination. I also identified challenges (e.g., logistical obstacles, difficulties connecting in a meaningful way with the team) associated with program participation that may have influenced the development of the aforementioned elements (i.e. internal assets, social skills, positive emotions). Exploratory follow-up quantitative analyses were conducted, but the results were inconclusive. Findings allow Team IMPACT and youth mentoring programs to more broadly understand the developmental outcomes and implications of mentorship matches, and to consider future longitudinal qualitative and quantitative analyses

The Nature of a Quartz Pebble Conglomerate Unit as Understood through Large-Scale Mapping and Thin Section Analysis

The Shelburne, New Hampshire 7.5’ quadrangle contains a relatively narrow but distinct quartz pebble conglomerate unit (Srqpc). This unit is located on the western face of Mt. Carlo and is constrained by numerous varying rock units including interbedded gray schist quartzite, granitic pegmatite, micaceous quartzite, biotite granofels, and two mica granite. Conglomerate rocks have complex formations because they contain both clasts and a matrix of two different ages and origins. This Srqpc unit has never been studied in thin sections. Moreover, the analysis of the composition of its clasts and matrix at a microscopic level provides valuable insights into its formational relationship with the surrounding interbedded units and original tectonic deposition. Through large-scale mapping of this area and thin section analysis of numerous rock sites, this study provides new interpretations of the unique marine sedimentary processes required to create a medium grained metasedimentary rock with quartz pebble inclusions. It also sheds light on its constraining relationship to the surrounding interbedded units and the tectonic history of the greater Mahoosuc Range. Although its existence and location were first documented in 1975, this unit has never actually been published in a bedrock map because of its narrow shape and the scale at which those areas were mapped. This study aims to further detail the description of this unit and map its existence onto a 1:500 large-scale map. The large-scale detailed bedrock map comprehensively represents the complicated bedrock variation of the study area and is accompanied by an exposed bedrock outcrop map. Together, these maps give non-mappers a glimpse into the nature and methodology of bedrock mapping by showing what the physical features were and by providing surficial geologic data. Together, the maps of this study improve upon traditional mapping techniques by representing and communicating complex spatial information in a meaningful and accessible manner. Additionally, the large-scale bedrock maps of this study lend insights into the orogeny and formation of this unit, something small-scale maps do not have the resolution to provide

Energy Efficient Development: A Comparative Life Cycle Analysis of Retrofitted and New Housing in Lewiston, Maine

In response to aging residential buildings in Lewiston, Maine, a choice must be made between retrofitting existing residential buildings or building new homes. Renovating existing residential buildings decreases construction and material emissions, however, there are significant limitations to the energy efficiency of retrofitting residential buildings. Working through a community-engaged research approach with Raise-Op, a local housing cooperative in Lewiston, Maine, this study seeks to understand the environmental impact of retrofitting existing residential buildings in comparison to building new energy efficient homes. Employing a life cycle CO2 assessment, this study calculates the embodied carbon of a retrofitted residential building model and Raise-Op’s newly constructed building at 198 Blake Street to present a clear understanding of the total emissions of a building\u27s life cycle. In combination with embodied carbon emissions, this study also looks at the operational carbon emissions of each building. Our research findings suggest that building energy efficiency accounts for significantly more carbon than embodied carbon over a building’s lifespan. The study results will be presented to Raise-Op in an effort to recommend development strategies that minimize environmental impact

Individual-level Data to Accompany “Recovery of Ventilatory and Metabolic Responses to Hypoxia in Neonatal Rats After Chronic Hypoxia”

Rat pups were exposed to 3 days of chronic hypoxia (12% O2) beginning shortly after birth. Ventilation (head-body plethysmography) and metabolic CO2 production (respirometry) were then measured in normoxia (21% O2, balance N2) and during an acute hypoxic challenge (15b minutes in 12% O2, balance N2) immediately following chronic hypoxia and after 1, 4-5, and 7 d in room air; different individuals were studied at each age. The linked data files contain the individual-level ventilation and CO2 production data. The full methods and summary data are available in the peer-reviewed article: Bavis RW, Lee DI, Kinnally AC, Puxton PE., 2024. Recovery of ventilatory and metabolic responses to hypoxia in neonatal rats after chronic hypoxia. Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology, 329: 104317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2024.104317 This article will be freely be available to download from PubMed Central on 11/1/2025 here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39187051

A Paleoseismic Investigation of the Marquesado Fault in San Juan (27-33.5°S), Argentina

Fault zones are found all across the world, and to avoid inhabiting them would be impossible. The Andean Precordillera in western Argentina is one such seismically active region. It has experienced several devastating earthquakes over the past two centuries, including the Mw 7.0 1861 Mendoza earthquake, the Mw 7.4 1944 San Juan earthquake, the Mw 7.5 1977 double Caucete earthquakes and the most recent Mw 6.4 2021 earthquake once again in San Juan Mw 7.0 1861 Mendoza earthquake, the Mw 7.4 1944 San Juan earthquake, the Mw 7.5 1977 double Caucete earthquakes and the most recent Mw 6.4 2021 earthquake once again in San Juan (Kadinsky-Cade et al., 1985; Alvarado & Beck, 2006; Meigs & Nabelek, 2010; Ammirati et al., 2022). In order to mitigate earthquake risk, we investigated the east-dipping, northwest-southeast striking Marquesado Fault located approximately 12 km west from San Juan’s city center. This location falls within a ~30 km gap in paleoseismic data which provides information on earthquake history and co-seismic ruptures. Due to the fault’s remote location, we hand-dug a 6 m long and 2-2.5 m deep trench along a 400 m long west facing scarp. The location of the trench was selected along an abandoned river valley, and it revealed the Miocene basement Loma de las Tapias Formation folded and wrapped on the Quaternary alluvium along the fault. Here, we present the results of this work which bears significant importance to the seismic hazard assessment of San Juan and neighboring cities