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15th Annual Undergraduate Scholars in Action Day Program

A day of celebration of undergraduate scholarship.

Carcinogens Found in Red and Processed Meat

Carcinogens Found in Red and Processed Meat
Subject:
Research Poster (Nutrition)
Presenters: Kadeja Miller, Jillian Caruso, Felix Tranghese
Faculty Sponsor: Donna Chapman

Background: Meat has been a part of the human diet for decades and is something that was, and still is, looked at as important and vital for our diets. However, recently the International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that processed meat and red meat are carcinogenic and probably cancer causing, respectively. 

Objective: To understand the benefits and risks of consuming meat, with an emphasis on clarifying the potentially carcinogenic components of processed vs. red meat. 

Methods:  Meta-analyses, epidemiological, and clinical studies were reviewed to evaluate the relationship between meat products and their carcinogenic effects when cooked using various temperatures and cooking styles. 

Results: Meat is a good source of vitamin B12, zinc, protein, and iron; however dietary intake of processed and read meats is associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). The average 30-year-old male has a 1% risk of developing CRC in their lifetime. This can be increased by 18% for every 50 grams of processed meat eaten daily, and by 17% for every 100 grams of red meat eaten daily. The molecules found within the meat naturally or from added products can be carcinogenic when cooked at high temperatures. Some of the carcinogens that are formed within the meat when cooked at temperatures over 160℃ are N-nitroso compounds, heterocyclic amines, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Cooking meat to medium rare decreases the chances of forming carcinogens. Using spices and vegetables with meats adds antioxidants, which may protect against carcinogens. 

Conclusion: Dietary intake of processed meat is associated with increased risk of CRC, and there is concern that red meat consumption may be associated with CRC. Decreasing the cooking temperatures and altering cooking styles of meat may be a way to protect the human body from the formation of cancer-causing compounds. For most people, the risk of developing CRC is small. While most people do not need to totally exclude red or processed meats from their diet, moderation is important, especially for processed meats. "

Density and Morphology of Coleoptera in La Selva

Density and Morphology of Coleoptera in La Selva
Subject:
Research Poster (Biology - International Tropical Field Research )
Presenters: Kyle Hughes, Parker Cronin, Jacob Ryor
Faculty Sponsors: Melinda Fowler and Justin Compton

Abstract: Morphological traits are increasingly used as direct representations of functionality in ecology. Functional traits portray an organism’s fitness through survival, growth and reproductive success, while the frequency of these traits can provide essential insight into the patterns of a species’ adaptation to its environment. Beetles were captured in a random sample within successional stages of forest regrowth in La Selva Tropical Rainforest, Costa Rica.

Beetle diversity and density were measured along a gradient of successional forest plots. Additionally, morphological characteristics including body mass and elytral dimensions (length and width) were measured. There was a relatively constant diversity between successional plots for beetles under 1 cm in length. Diversity of beetles greater than 1 cm in length increased significantly between the successional plots and old-growth forest. Beetle density increased in a direct relationship to age of the forest for beetles of all lengths. Strong correlations were found between beetle size and mass relating directly to the size of the beetle’s elytra.

Elytral dimensions may affect beetle flight capability. Beetle growth and characteristics are known to be affected by availability of resources in the ecosystem, so these findings suggest that resource availability and ecosystem change due to human impact may not only affect population density but also the flight capabilities of beetles. This may indicate a relationship between human land use and the flight capability of beetles. Further research would explore longitudinal change in flight capability based on land use and its potential impacts on the survival rates of beetle populations in the future.

Factors associated with Sports Specialization and Risk of Injury

Factors associated with Sports Specialization and Risk of Injury
Subject:
Research Poster (Health Science)
Presenters: Josh Corporan
Faculty Sponsor: Pamela Higgins

Athlete: Someone who is multi-diverse in sports and is proficient at all competitions

Sports Specialization: Year-round training for a single sport that carriers longer than eight months
Focus on main sport. Involvement at young age

Pros: Elite-level skill

Question: Does an increase in sports specialization cause overuse of injury in youth athletes? Contributing factors

Sexual and Dating Scripts Among Emerging Adults

Sexual and Dating Scripts Among Emerging Adults
Subject:
Research Poster (Psychology)
Presenters: Sierra Skaza, Stephanie Waite, Andrea Brooks
Faculty Sponsor: Elizabeth Morgan

Abstract: There are unwritten rules in society in regards to our romantic relationships that we are expected to follow. This study examined what participants perceived as society’s norms for dating and sexuality and how they fit in or do not fit into these expectations. It is important to study these norms and responses to them among various groups because these may have implications for individual’s overall well-being.

Participants included a national sample of 160 emerging adults ages 18-25 consisting of four equal groups of men and women in same-sex and other-sex relationships. The study included a qualitative analysis of participant’s open-ended responses provided via an online survey to three questions about their perceptions of society’s expectations for dating and sexuality and how they fit in and do not fit into these identified expectations. The expectations that participants identified included: being in a heterosexual relationship; a general timeline for when you should date, get married, and have children; having a good overall quality and monogamous relationship; and following traditional gender roles in the relationship.

Each participant’s response was coded based on three categories: whether they fit into these expectations; whether they did not fit into these expectations; or if there was a significant overlap between these two categories. In summary, these results show that people can identity society’s expectations relative to their own relationships. 

Soil Composition's Effect on Regrowth in Successional Areas

Soil Composition's Effect on Regrowth in Successional Areas
Subject:
Research Poster (Biology)
Presenters: Alice Santos, Ryan Errico
Faculty Sponsors: Melinda Fowler

Abstract: Forests recovering from a disturbance undergo successional growth over time. Differences in soil composition and characteristics during succession has the potential to greatly impact regrowth of the plant community. These differences hold insights into what impact the regrowth periods can have on ecological factors produced by the soil.

Successional plots fabricated within a humid rainforest at the La Selva Biological Research Station, located in the Cordillera Volcanica Central Biosphere Reserve were the location of sampling collection for this study. They included 5 plots with 1 year intervals from 0 to 5 years, alongside the old growth forest that had already been established. We evaluated the grain size, porosity, permeability, and compressibility properties between the separated successional areas. Samples were acquired from top soil at a depth of 0 inches and were measured for porosity and permeability. Additionally, the compressibility of the soil was measured.

The final steps included separating the grain particles into their respective classes. A set amount of soil for each successional segment was put into jars with dish soap and water.. Porosity and permeability varied widely between successional stages, whereas compressibility showed a large difference in old growth when compared to the younger successions. The texture classifications held some larger findings in that there was a complete lack of sand within the 3-5 year plots and old growth while having been found to be abundant in the samples gathered from the 0-2 year sections.

When applied to a discussion that includes other data collected from La Selva, conclusions can be drawn about the relationship between soil dynamics and successional growth of the forest community. how the levels of succession dictate the soil that is present. Understanding the impact of soil characteristics on forest regrowth has important consequences for ecological health and our understanding of how communities respond to deforestation. In this regard ecological health can come into question on the subject of regrowth within areas that have experienced deforestation.

The Association Between Physical Activity and Depression in College-aged Women

The Association Between Physical Activity and Depression in College-aged Women​
Subject:
Research Poster (Health Science)
Presenter: Hannah Wunderlich
Faculty Sponsor: Sofija Zagarins

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. About 16.1 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States had at least one depressive episode in the past year. That number is equivalent to about 6.7% of all U.S. adults. In this study we examine the association between overall physical activity and depression. We used data from the UMass Vitamin D study. This dataset includes 288 college-aged women who were recruited between 2006 and 2014. We examined self-reported measures of overall physical activity and we summarized overall physical activity using metabolic equivalents (METS). 

12.8% of participants self-reported a clinician diagnosis of depression. The rate of depression varied by physical activity level, such that rates of depression were highest among those with the lowest and highest levels of physical activity, and lowest among those with moderate levels of physical activity. These results suggest that further research on the association between physical activity and depression in college-aged women is warranted.  

Keywords: depression, physical activity, young adult females 

The Effectiveness of Drunk Driving Deterrents

The Effectiveness of Drunk Driving Deterrents  
Subject:
Research Poster (Social Science)
Presenter: Nicole Kudrikow
Faculty Sponsor: Francesa Spina

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to look at the effectiveness of prevention methods on drunk driving, a leading cause of death. Breathalyzer tests, mobile transit, sobriety checkpoints, fines, and jail time are all used to prevent one from driving under the influence. One example is in Massachusetts anyone arrested for drinking and driving automatically has their driver's license suspended for at least one year. 

As new innovations are developed we will be able to expand on these preventive measures. My research, based on scholarly articles and government sources, highlighted a need to spread awareness and conduct further research on the effectiveness of these measures in the criminal justice field. I have found the fines to be the most effective deterrent of drunk driving.  Drunk driving and the deaths it causes are preventable.