In this article, we describe curricular materials developed to engage undergraduate students in evolutionary thinking around antibiotic resistance using the MEGA-plate experiment (Microbial Evolution and Growth Arena). This elegant and visual experiment, developed by the Kishony Lab, shows the development of antibiotic resistance on the timescale…

Causal mediation analysis is a popular approach for investigating whether the effect of an exposure on an outcome is through a mediator to better understand the underlying causal mechanism. In recent literature, mediation analysis with multiple mediators has been proposed for continuous and dichotomous outcomes. In contrast, methods for mediation…

This descriptive study explored the science literacy of secondary agricultural education students in the context of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Forty-nine students from Oklahoma were asked of their opinion of GMO products and were then asked to provide a description of how genetic modification occurred. The interviews were recorded and…

Genetic, neurobiological, neurochemical, environmental factors and their interactions contribute to autism phenotypes. Blood from 48 (age range: 4-17) autism spectrum disorder diagnosed patients (ASD) and 38 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects was analyzed for numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, albumin, serum…

Polygenic scores for educational attainment and related variables, such as IQ and "mathematical ability" are now readily available via direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. Some researchers are even proposing the use of genetic tests in educational settings via "precision education," in which individualized student…

Across a wide range of studies, researchers often conclude that the home environment and children's outcomes are causally linked. In contrast, behavioral genetic studies show that parents influence their children by providing them with both environment and genes, meaning the environment that parents provide should not be considered in the absence…

In recent years, modern technologies have enabled the collection of exponentially larger quantities of data in the biomedical domain and elsewhere. In particular, the advent of single-cell genomics has allowed for the collection of datasets containing hundreds of thousands of cells measured in tens of thousands of dimensions. This rapid expansion…

Evidence suggests there may be increased risk for suicidal behavior among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An emerging body of research explores social factors that may contribute to increased risk, however little is known about the potential role of biological factors. The current project addresses this knowledge gap through a…

Hormones are the major signaling molecules that have a complex signaling cascade involving intracellular and intranuclear receptors, coreceptors, and signal transduction pathways. The molecular mechanism of hormonal action is written in a poetic verse to kindle the interest of students and to augment their affinity toward the onerous yet awesome…

Background: While observational studies have established a connection between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and heightened risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the causal relationships are not well-defined. This study is designed to examine the causality between ASD, ADHD, and CVD risk as well…

This study explores the connection between patent citations and scientific publications across six fields: Biochemistry, Genetics, Pharmacology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics. Analysing 117,590 papers from 2014 to 2023, the research emphasizes how publication year, open access (OA) status, and discipline influence patent citations. Openly…

This study aims to determine the development and feasibility of biology magazine submaterial inheritance traits as a learning media for class IX junior high school. Engaging and effective learning media can increase students' understanding and interest in the material presented. The research method used is research and development (R&D) using…

Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III) is a rare lysosomal storage disease with systemic complications. This scoping review aimed to synthesise evidence regarding methods to diagnose and monitor MPS III. Methods: We searched 10 databases for English and Spanish citations published from 2017 to 2022. Our study focused on human-based…

Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a rare genetic disorder that impacts 1:20,000 people. Challenging behaviour, such as severe injurious behaviour, aggression and frequent unprovoked episodes of laughter are a significant problem among adults with AS that adversely impacts an individual's quality of life. This study, for the first time, aims understand the…

Background/purpose: Practical work is a key component of science education that can contribute to comprehensive learning and scientific literacy. This study presents the results of an Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) approach using a DNA extraction practice with 4th-year secondary education Spanish students. The findings highlight significant…