Seismology – definition and history

Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of the elastic wave through the Earth or through other planet-like bodies. The earliest seismoscope was invented in by Zhang Heng of China’s Han dynasty in 132 AD[2]. This instrument is reported to have detected a 400-mile distant earthquake. However, it does not tell any … Read more

No evidence to support correlation between temperature and rate of osmosis

Abstract Temperature could significantly affect many biological processes. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if temperature also had an effect on the rate of osmosis, one of the many biological processes that are crucial to living organisms. Dialysis bags containing premade starch solution were placed into beakers of water that were each at … Read more

Artificial Neural Network, Flotation, Separation Efficiency

An artificial neural network and regression procedures were used to predict the separation efficiency of Cu and selectivity indices of Mo and Fe of the copper flotation concentrate on different operational conditions. Flotation parameters, such as chemical reagent dosages (Collector, frother, Fuel-oil), Feed rate, solid percentage and the Feed grade of Cu, Fe and Mo, … Read more

What makes us human when compared to the other species that coexist with us?

About 100 years ago, it was found out that we humans shared common ancestry with the African apes. In the book “On the Origins of Species” by Charles Darwin, human evolution was discussed extensively about this prediction. Today’s advancements in research made many milestones in confirming this prediction in various branches of science and redefined … Read more

Identification and Synthesis of an Unknown Acid

Introduction This report describes an experiment that was used to assist in the identification of an unknown acid. These experiments were conducted due to an unknown acid discovered by MSU Office of Environmental Health and Safety. A list of 26 possible acids, their molar mass, and pKa values were given by MSU EHS1. To identify … Read more

Investigate cancerous stem cells

The purpose of my research is to investigate cancerous stem cells, which are cells that are able to undergo specialization based on the environmental factors and location of the cell (7). Cancer cells can have stem cell properties in their ability to propagate and reduce the likelihood of normal, programmed cell death (3). This particular … Read more

Synthesize benzil through oxidation of benzoin by bleach in the presence of Stark’s catalyst

Purpose: The purpose of this experiment was to synthesize benzil through the oxidation of benzoin by bleach in the presence of Stark’s catalyst. The addition of Stark’s phase transfer catalyst (Aliquat 336) to the reaction mixture was necessary to promote the occurrence of the biphasic reaction.. Thin-layer chromatography was utilized to monitor the progress of … Read more

Using optical interference to determine the refractive index of 3 lenses and water

Abstract The refractive indexes of 3 different glass lenses and water were determined using Newton’s rings interference pattern. The refractive index of each lens determined were as follows nlens 1=1.329±0.008, nlens 2= 1.47±0.03, nlens 3=1.44±0.07 and the refractive index of water was found to be μ=1.26±0.03. The true value for the refractive indexes should be … Read more

Physiological responses to a moderate intensity cycle while consuming carbohydrate drinks

INTRODUCTION The ingestion of carbohydrate (CHO) has been proven to improve cycling endurance capacity and performance during prolonged exercise. Research in this area didn’t start till around the 20th century; the importance of CHO feeding was first recognised by Krogh and Lindhard (1920). They found that athlete’s found exercise easier when they had consumed a … Read more

Proposal: does quadruplex molecular beacon responsiveness and efficiency change when put into more complex environment

Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Background Importance of Cancer Screening Among known diseases, cancer and heart disease are among the most recognizable and principle cause of mortality among those whom contracted them. Although cancer has led to fewer deaths than heart disease in the United States (at 22.0% compared to 23.4% of all deaths in 2015), … Read more

Determining the best piping material for a chemical reactor (lab)

Abstract The purpose of the lab was to evaluate different metals in search of determining the best piping material for a chemical reactor created by Kauffman Enterprises. The reactor vessel is to be made out of stainless steel and will operate at 525C while containing highly corrosive hydrochloric acid. The primary metals that were evaluated … Read more

To what extent does age affect one’s ability to differentiate colour?

Biology Internal Assessment Purpose: My interest in this topic derived from an observation that the majority of elderly have some sort of optical prescription. In addition, both of my parents wear glasses on a daily basis. Because of this, I’ve developed an interest in learning about how our eyes change throughout our lifetime, and since … Read more

Investigate whether horizontal transfer is a significant mode of transmission between species.

Abstract Wolbachia are a genera of alpha-proteobacteria, and infect the cell cytoplasm of over 80% of Lepidoptera species. The endosymbionts can alter host physiology, causing cytoplasmic incompatibility and female-biased sex ratios. This would reduce the fitness of the host population, and potentially hinder conservation efforts. This would be particularly problematic if virulent strains could host-switch … Read more

Newton and Einstein: Gravity

Prior to the groundbreaking scientific revelations of Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, Gravity was an elusive concept. Greek philosophers believed the planets followed a natural motion due to being a part of the gods’ realm, as they did not realize that gravity was involved. These ideas stayed around until the 1500s, when astronomers Galileo … Read more

Primary Colonization Models for Peopling of the Americas

Over the past few decades, genetics has become essential in calculating the arrival time of the first migrations into present day America as well as determining the genetic composition of these first inhabitants. While the archaeological record is demonstrably useful in the reconstruction of migration patterns, a bias exists which poses that the likelihood of … Read more