Evidence of high density non-serotinous recruitment post-fire questions if seed dispersal from a live tree is solely responsible. Studies suggest that seed maturation occurs before the cone scales reflex, and it’s possible that cone scales act as a protective barrier during fire, such that mature seeds are protected and remain germinable. If cone scales adequately protect seeds, then an aerial seed source post-fire is available for recruitment, relative to seed maturation and time of fire. This research aims to determine the timing of Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia seed maturation within a coniferous cone and its relationship to degree days.

Inconsistent follow-up care for Spanish-speaking patients with type 2 diabetes leads to unfavorable health outcomes and inequities for this population due to various socioeconomic barriers. With proper diabetes self-management, many patients can keep their A1C below 7%. Diabetes education incorporating culturally humility can improve patients’ health outcomes. Interventions at multiple levels are evaluated to address this practice disparity. The objective for Spanish-speaking low-income patients is diabetes care continuity so they can self-manage their illness and reduce complications. Process and impact evaluation strategies were analyzed to find the effectiveness of these implementations.

Propaganda has affected politics for centuries. This research identified underlying themes/differences between U.S. and Nazi propaganda from World War II. Methods included a literature review as well as collecting and analyzing propaganda from that time. A trend that emerged during research was that both forms of propaganda espoused the ideal of defeating an enemy that was a threat to national security. U.S. propaganda focused more on maximizing resources and instilling fear among its citizens, while Nazi propaganda rallied citizens to perform their “natural duty”. This research brings to light key trends in the nature of propaganda and reflects how it influenced our modern culture.

Different anthropogenic substrates have been shown to have a strong effect on larval recruitment and subsequent community development in estuarine fouling communities. Docks and piers have been shown to have an increased abundance of invasive species relative to natural substrates such as rock. We examined community structure in accordance to initial barnacle settlement on concrete, treated wood, untreated wood, tire rubber, and plastic settling plates. Results show that there were marked differences in initial barnacle settlement as well as final community structure (after 4 months) between treatments, revealing the importance of early settlement and substrate type on community composition.

Cannabis legalization in the U.S. is associated with greater usage, new cultivation methods, increased THC potency, and new modes of ingestion. Inconsistent edibles labeling and dosage control resulted in a spike in cannabis edible related emergency room admissions. This study examined negative user experiences with edibles. We conducted in-depth interviews with a nonrandom sample of 45 medical and recreational cannabis users in California and Colorado. We asked interviewees about their prior use, negative edible experience, and short and long-term responses to their bad edible experience. We coded interviews for the sources and behavioral implications of negative edible experiences.

Mapping the Sierra Nevada HSU advanced geospatial students map a variety of topics to accompany text in a forthcoming book about Environmental Issues in the Sierra Nevada.

Prior research finds lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) individuals offending more than their heterosexual peers, due to differential experiences in social institutions like school and family. There are no qualitative studies of queer pathways into or away from crime, or research on the offending of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. We seek to fill this gap by analyzing life trajectories of LGBTQIA individuals with qualitative interviews. We explore pushes/pulls into/away from criminal behavior and respondents’ relationships with social institutions--including chosen families and political participation--to illuminate sites of intervention in the queer life course.

This study focused on microplastic concentrations in and around Humboldt Bay, CA. Microplastics do not have a universal size class, but for the purpose of this study, microplastics were categorized as any plastic piece from 0.335 mm to 4.75 mm. Samples were taken on Humboldt State's research vessel "Coral Sea", and by foot on land. Both water and sediment samples were collected and analyzed to find the amount of microplastic particles per mass sampled. Visual microscopy was utilized to create counts for each station.

In northern California, purple urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) populations have exploded, leading to an invasion of the intertidal zone with potential consequences for those communities. We aimed to determine if there was a relationship between surface rugosity and urchin abundance and condition in this recently invaded habitat. We found that urchins took advantage of any intertidal habitat, as abundance was independent of surface rugosity. However, surface rugosity was related to urchin condition, with urchins on rougher surfaces in better condition than those on other surfaces. Rocky intertidal surfaces may therefore provide refugia for overabundant subtidal urchin populations.

This research explores how integrating outdoor environments into elderly rehabilitation programs may improve patient outcomes. Traditional rehabilitation often occurs in clinical indoor settings, but growing evidence suggests natural environments can enhance physical recovery and mental health. This study investigates whether outdoor therapy positively influences mobility, endurance, mood, and stress levels in elderly patients, aiming to highlight the potential for nature-based rehabilitation practices.