The Western Snowy Plover is threatened by habitat loss from invasive European Beachgrass. Habitat restoration is implemented to counteract this threat. A second threat to this beach-nesting bird is flooding from sea level rise due to global warming. To inform managers, we evaluated these threats using GIS geospatial analyses to compare nesting habitat features in restored areas and evaluate sea level inundation. In this preliminary study, we found plovers nested on wider beaches with more woody debris, open sand, and other nests than at random. Most nests (84%) were in restored habitat, and a two meter increase from mean sea level would result in 53% of plover nests becoming inundated.

This poster explores indigenous occupational activity within the Upper Kern River Valley and aims to build a timeline of site use based on the projectile point typologies found at eight different sites.

It is a field research project looking at the species diversity and individual abundance of salamanders in the Arcata Community Forest.

In this study, we developed a novel approach to produce placental mesenchymal stem cell derived extracellular vesicles (PMSC-EVs) by utilizing a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture system to potentially use in regenerative medicine applications. CELLine bioreactors are a 3D culture system that is comprised of a polystyrene scaffold, to support a high-density culture, encased in a semipermeable membrane to concentrate all proteins produced by the cells within. When conditioned medium is collected from the compartment PMSC-EVs were produced over an eight-week continuous culture. This method potentially could be used as an alternative to conventional culture methods to improve PMSC-EV yield.

Myofascial manipulation techniques have gained prominence in pain management due to their ability to address musculoskeletal issues, alleviate pain, and improve overall function. This review encompasses various manual therapy approaches such as trigger point release therapy, and self-myofascial release. These techniques target main symptoms of fascial restrictions, muscle tightness, and trigger points. The aim of these techniques can improve blood flow and as a result restore pain perception in the tissue. Integrating myofascial manipulation techniques with regular exercise therapy and stretching protocols interventions provides a comprehensive approach to pain management.

Eye contact with another person (social gaze) produces a reflexive emotional responses measurable using skin conductance (SCR). A ‘domain specificity’ model of the social gaze response mechanism was tested by comparing SCRs during social and 'self-gaze' (gazing at one’s own eyes in a mirror). Domain specificity (versus generality) predicts responses only during social gaze and has theoretical implications for how this reflex evolved. Participants (N=76) completed ten, 20 second, social or self-gaze trials. Social gaze produced significantly greater mean SCR’s and showed more habituation across trials. There were no effects of sex or sex match on gaze-evoked SCRs. Results support domain speci

This project looked at the effects of human foot traffic on the vocalization frequency of passerine birds throughout three popular trails in Arcata. Results suggest pets have a greater impact on bird vocalizations than humans and that there may be differences in predator presence between trails that birds are responding to.

Stress-inducing paradigms in research allow for a comprehensive understanding of the physiological and psychological effects of stress. Research consistently shows that infant crying triggers negative emotional responses, including heightened stress and negative affect in parents and women. Thus, we seek to develop a stress-inducing paradigm that uses baby crying sounds (with or without baby doll cues) to elicit both stress and cortisol responses in a broader population. To support this framework, we conduct a preliminary analysis comparing the self-report perceived stress responses before and after expose to a baby doll crying.

This project aims to demonstrate to educators about students being a product of their own environment by observing the Humboldt Office of Education’s-Court Community Schools’ classroom environments. These observations will be compared to a variety of different learning styles that work best with at-risk youth. These learning styles would be recommended ways for educators to help bridge the gap between at-risk students’ academic and social skills in traditional-learning classroom settings.

From February 18th-23rd, students from the Humboldt Theater Program attended KCACTF, this poster depicts the top 5 events this year.