In order to fight the increasing antibiotic crisis, an experimental lab isolated bacteria from the Redwood Forest. From soil and air, 47 isolates were extracted from the Redwood Forest and tested for inhibition against the six deadly ESKAPE pathogens. We sequenced the 16s rRNA gene to identify the bacterial species. Isolates that had identical 16s rRNA genes inhibited different pathogens, possibly leading to the discovery of a novel antibiotic producing bacteria.

Interactions of Mycorrhizae, Native Grasses and Quercus douglasii in California blue oak woodlands. California's endemic blue oak is not regenerating and despite many studies, no one has found any reasons as to why. The trees make lot's of acorns, the acorns germinate fine, but the saplings fail to properly establish and typically die before reaching maturity. This investigation looks at a potential reason as to why this is, focused on invasive annual grasses that have almost entirely replaced the native perennial species. H1: Grass species affects the rate of mycorrhizal infection in Q. douglasii seedlings. H0: Mycorrhizal infection rate of Q. douglasii is independent of grass species.

The Ma-le'l coastal dunes of northern California have been affected by the invasion of dense European beachgrass. In response, USFWS and BLM have removed beachgrass in an attempt to restore native ecosystem function. Mesocarnivores play vital roles in trophic webs, and previous research has suggested that they are more active in restored dunes than in areas with dense beachgrass. However, distance to nearby coastal dune forests could affect mesocarnivore activity and may have confounded previous work. We conducted an observational study using remote cameras and found the detection rate mesocarnivores declined with distance to forest.

Due to inconsistencies between General Relativity and the Standard Model, tests of gravity remain at the forefront of experimental physics. At Humboldt State University, undergraduates and faculty are designing an experiment sensitive enough to detect gravitational interactions below the 50 micron scale. The experiment measures the twist of a torsion pendulum as an attractor mass is oscillated nearby in a parallel plate configuration, providing time varying gravitational torque on the pendulum. The size and distance dependence of the torque variation will provide a means to determine any deviation from current models of gravity on untested scales.

Silicon Photo Multiples (SiPM's) are relatively new photon detectors. They offer many advantages compared to photo multiplier tubes (PMT's) such as insensitivity to magnetic field, robustness at varying lighting levels, and low cost. The SiPM output wave forms are poorly understood. The experiment conducted collected waveforms of responses of Hamamatsu SiPM to incident laser pulse at varying temperatures and bias voltages. Ambient noise was characterized at all temperatures and bias voltages by averaging the waveforms. Pulse shape of the SiPM response was determined under different operating conditions

Interactions of Mycorrhizae, Native Grasses and Quercus douglasii in California blue oak woodlands California’s endemic Quercus douglasii (blue oak) is not regenerating throughout the state and although many hypotheses have been made, no conclusive evidence has been brought forward as to why. The goal of this study is to find evidence of a relationship, if any exists, between Q. douglasii, mycorrhizae and the native grasses that once dominated the landscape.

This project, an overview of an in-progress edited book, interrogates Eurasia as a form of regional definition for the states that gained independence after the USSR’s breakup, arguing for the continued relevance “post-Soviet” as a regional construct. The idea of the post-Soviet is positioned as a heuristic device to evaluate existing prior attempts at regional definition. Path-dependency as a concept suggests that preexisting institutions condition the institutional form that follows political transition; the condition of path-dependency remains relevant across the post-Soviet successor states.

Our project addresses the question of whether Phyllospadix spp., a surfgrass, can effectively buffer calcium carbonate uptake by calcifying intertidal organisms. This question has significant ramifications for the Humboldt County coastline, which is considered an ocean acidification “hot spot” due to its exposure to acidic water during periods of upwelling. Our group will observe Phyllospadix spp. and it's influence on calcium carbonate deposition on cockle clams and articulated coralline algae . The results will vary due to the abundance of Phyllospadix spp. and invertebrates in each aquarium, and will determine if the calcification rate will be higher in the presence of Phyllospadix spp.

The project is about plastic pollution in our oceans, the zero waste movement, and the new choose to reuse campaign on campus.

This study will compare the Environmental Laws and their corresponding Environmental Impact Assessment processes in developing and developed nations with a focus on Sri Lanka and the United States. The study will involve analysis and comparison of individual EIA components (i.e. screening, scoping, impact analysis and mitigation measures), identification of the strengths and weaknesses of each component under different national laws, and how that influences the effectiveness of the laws as well as how those laws are implemented. This research will serve as a basis on which to make recommendations to improve EIA processes and strengthen environmental policies and implementation.