Using Biomarkers to Optimize the Rehabilitation of Wild Raptors

The purpose of this study is to explore the use of stress physiology biomarkers in wildlife rehabilitation. We examined collection, extraction and enzyme immunoassay protocols in order to identify the optimal methods for testing corticosterone levels in injured raptors at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Corticosterone levels were measured periodically during the raptors\u27 rehabilitation using noninvasive techniques. This study focuses on three species: Red-Tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), Red-Shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus), and Barred Owls (Strix varia). Fecal samples were collected from patients from all three species from May 2017 to March 2018. This information will contribute to our understanding of the stress profile of raptors in rehabilitation, and will allow for future studies to employ the methods validated by this project

A Nesting Anomaly of Vespula maculifrons (Buysson) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Observations of a nesting anomaly were made in V. maculifrons. An aerial nest was found in the basement of an unoccupied house

Source attribution of ozone in Southeast Texas before and after the Deepwater Horizon accident using satellite, sonde, surface monitor, and air mass trajectory data

Since the summer of 2004, over 300 ozonesondes have been launched from Rice University (29.7 N, 95.4 W) or the University of Houston (29.7 N, 95.3 W), each \u3c 5 km from downtown Houston. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality maintains a large database of hourly surface ozone observations in Southeast Texas. In this study, we identify the contributions to surface ozone pollution levels from natural and anthropogenic sources, both local and remote in nature. This source identification is performed two ways: 1) through an analysis of sonde data, including ozone concentrations, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity data, and 2) through an analysis that combines trajectory calculations with surface monitor data. We also examine regional changes in Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) measurements of formaldehyde and ozone from 2004 – 2010. In particular, we compare the 2010 sonde, surface monitor, and satellite data after the Deepwater Horizon accident with data from previous years to determine the impact, if any, of the large source of hydrocarbons in the Gulf of Mexico on air quality in Southeast Texas

Notes on Snail Feeding Behavior of Anaxjunius (Drury): (Odonata)

A naiad of Anax junius (Drury), in final instar, preyed upon 47 mature snails, Helisoma trivolvis (Say), during a period of 63 clays. The feeding behavior has potential significance: (1) with respect to biological control of trematode vectoring gastropods; (2) as a mechanism for vectoring trematodes between snails and birds; and (3) in interpreting structural adaptations and perception in immature oclonates

Snowflakes You Can Keep!

Are all snowflakes the same shape? To answer this question have students try the following procedure, used for the preservation of snowflakes, outlined in a recent Kalamazoo Nature Center Newsletter

ISTJ, Religion and Politics: An Editor\u27s View

During the past year, the Iowa Science Teachers Journal has been criticized (and in one instance politically threatened) for not publishing sectarian interpretations of natural phenomena which conflict with widely accepted scientific theory. It is a policy of the journal not to publish sectarian or political views concerning natural phenomena. The purpose of this editorial is to provide clarification of the journal\u27s role in reporting advances in science and science teaching to the public and parochial schools of the state

Corn to Alcohol

The combination of critical fuel shortages and zooming oil prices have led to the possibility of converting corn to an alcohol fuel, a process that has been known for some time. The benefits offered by an alcohol-fuel industry are substantial, among a few are: the fuel source is renewable each year; domestic alcohol fuel reduces dependence on oil imports; and fuel alcohol burns clean reducing pollution. The economic impact to the state economy is obvious

Review - Microbiology for Elementary School Children

This is a well-written unit, developed for use in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades of the Pennsylvania Public Schools

Ozone profile observations in Houston, Texas (1994 - 2010) from aircraft, balloons, and satellites

Houston, Texas has long been an urban area plagued with high levels of surface ozone, particularly in spring and late summer. The combination of a large commuter population and one of the largest concentrations of petrochemical plants in the world results in abundant and nearly co-located sources of NOx and hydrocarbons. The location of Houston on the South Coast of the United States in a subtropical climate results in meteorological conditions that favor ozone production. Using MOZAIC (1994 - 2004), ozonesonde (2000, 2004 - 2010), and TES (2005 – 2010) data, we examine the evolution of ozone profiles over Houston during a period in which various strategies have been implemented to alleviate the ozone pollution problem. Using meteorological data from associated soundings and analyses, we identify and evaluate influences on the ozone profiles from natural and anthropogenic sources, as well as local and remote sources. We further investigate how these various influences have changed with time