2024 Research, Creativity & Community Involvement Conference

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/18600

The MSU Billings Research, Creativity & Community Involvement Conference (RCCIC) provides a great opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students of all majors to present their research and creative scholarship in a public forum. The conference is hosted every year on the MSUB campus, sponsored by the Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs, the University Honors Program, and Montana IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research (INBRE). The RCCIC is not a competition, but a celebration of the research and creative projects currently being carried out by MSUB students. All submissions are reviewed and approved by the sponsors prior to presentation or publication to ScholarWorks.

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

Effects of Frequent Internet Use on Aspects of COVID-19
(2024) Petermann, Hailey; McMullen, Matthew
The COVID-19 pandemic changed many people’s way of life. In the early stages, there was a lot of skepticism surrounding the pandemic and how much the media should be trusted. In 2020, the American Trends Panel created by Pew Research Center collected survey data on Americans' skepticism of news media. Research conducted on the data showed frequency of internet use had an effect on attitudes related directly to COVID-19, like wearing a mask in public, employment status post-pandemic, thinking symptoms are COVID without being diagnosed, and what life would look like post-pandemic. The results will shed light on how influential frequent internet usage is on American people’s opinions.
The effects of Quercetin on seizure like activity in Caenorhabditis elegan mutants
(2024) Worden, Braiden; Marcette, Jana
Our experiment on Caenorhabditis elegans was the first step in providing relief for patients with a clinically recognizable neuronal migration disorder caused by CAMSAP1 mutations. CAMSAP1 is thought to stabilize microtubule minus ends and to be involved in cell signaling. There are currently no treatments for this disorder. Thus, we partnered with the undiagnosed disease network at Washington University School of Medicine for this project. Our goal was to find a drug that will help patients with this disorder. We picked C. elegans because they have a homolog for the CAMSAP1 gene called PTRN-1. The worms were grown on NGM (Nematode Growth Medium) plates without calcium. This was how we got them to have convulsion, which presented themselves when we put them in a buffer (100 mM NaCl, 50 mM MgCl2.) We delivered the drugs into the worms by using a "spot dead" method, where we put a drop of the tested drug onto the plate and covered it in dead E. coli. The worm then eats the dead E. coli, ingesting the drug with it. This method directly bypasses the cuticle of the worm, meaning less of each drug had to be used. The experiment overall was a resounding success, as a handful of the drugs we tested rescued the mutants. This includes Quercetin, which was the drug I chose. It was picked due to its ability to downregulate cell signaling pathways impacted by CAMSAP, specifically DAPK and MAP3K12. The drugs that rescued will be tested on a vertebrate model organism next, and if all goes well, it can be given to the children to help them. This experiment was the first step in the journey of helping these kids with an incredibly debilitating disorder.
Population genomics analysis of Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal in Billings, Montana
(Montana State University, 2024) Ilmuradova, Selbi; Comer, Jason
Given the rising impact of climate change and habitat modification, understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying plant adaptation is crucial for conservation efforts. This study investigates how different populations of Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal, commonly known as curly-cup gumweed, adapt to diverse environmental conditions in Montana, a key to understanding plant adaptability and resilience. Using a population genomics approaches and next-generation sequencing the populations of desert vs mesic plants were explored to identify genetic variations that maybe linked to their environmental adaptations. This study is tested by the hypothesis: these populations are unique under different selective pressures, which will be detected at the genomic level, providing a clearer picture of how species respond to varied ecological pressures. These insights will advance our understanding in the field of conservation genomics and highlight the crucial role of genetic diversity and adaptation in facing environmental changes.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Work and Marriage
(2024) Power, Emma; McMullen, Matthew
Both research and the personal anecdotes of many people indicate that the COVID-19. pandemic resulted in the losses of many jobs or the significant alterations of working conditions. It has also been shown that the pandemic presented challenges for interpersonal relationships, especially for cohabitating married individuals. In this vein, this present research project aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment and on marriage by using archival GSS results from 2018 and 2022.
Investigating the Potential Anticonvulsant Effects of Taxol Through Microtubule Stabilization in C. elegans Model of Epilepsy
(Montana State Univeristy Billings, 2024) Elbert, Madelyne; Marcette, Jana
Recent discoveries have unveiled a mutation in the CAMSAP gene as a causative factor in a distinct form of epilepsy. CAMSAP's pivotal role in microtubule stabilization and cellular signaling underscores its significance in neuronal function. This experiment poses to answer the question: Does the stabilization of microtubules stop the progression of convulsions for a specific type of epilepsy? Microtubules orchestrate the spatial organization within cells, essential for cellular integrity and function. Perturbations in microtubule dynamics, marked by instability and subsequent shrinkage due to GTP hydrolysis, can precipitate cellular dysfunction. To address this, we propose the application of Taxol, a renowned microtubule-stabilizing agent, in a C. elegans model. Leveraging the simplicity of C. elegans' nervous system, we aim to elucidate Taxol's potential in mitigating seizures induced by a specified solution. Through systematic observation at five and ten-minute intervals, we anticipate Taxol's intervention to stabilize microtubules and ameliorate convulsions. This research offers a promising avenue for understanding the molecular underpinnings of epilepsy and exploring therapeutic interventions targeting microtubule dynamics.
The Relationship Between Pain and Myers-Briggs Personality Factors
(Montana State University Billings, 2024) McChesney, Teague; McMullen, Matthew
Pain is a multifaceted experience with an etiology that can be difficult to trace. Pain can also be difficult to understand and cope with in many instances. This study was an archival research study that examined an existing dataset originally created by Sylvain Guimond and Wael Massrieh for their study, Intricate Correlation between Body Posture, Personality Trait and Incidence of Body Pain: A Cross-Referential Study Report. The researchers sought to analyze whether or not there are links between physical pain and a person's personality. The dataset that was created collected information about various participants including their age, weight, height, sex, and activity level; information about biomechanical pain located in the neck and/or spinal areas was also collected. Personality was assessed using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test of personality. This research presented a correlational analysis between pain and MBTI categories. The results of correlational analyses showed pain was not strongly correlated with MBTI categories. ANOVA was conducted between pain and personality type to gauge whether pain levels were different between MBTI personalities. No significant differences were found between Myers-Briggs personality types and pain. Other descriptive results were also presented.
Is There a Difference in Agility Performance When Preceded by Static Versus Dynamic Stretching?
(Montana State University Billings, 2024) Johnson, Faith; Shafer, Alex
Background: Agility or a rapid change in direction is an important characteristic of team sports. It is well known that many coaches and athletic trainers make their athletes stretch before a game and practice. Some coaches practice static stretching while others practice dynamic stretching in their warmup. Theoretically static stretching may hinder agility performance by changes in the parallel elastic component impairing the force to the line of action and reducing fiber rotation during contraction. On the other hand, dynamic stretching involves controlled active movements that take a joint or muscle through its full range of motion. Therefore, the foundation for agility performance lies on its ability to activate and prepare the muscles and nervous system for the specific movements involved in agility tasks. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test the analyze the claim that dynamic stretching is more beneficial than static stretching when completed prior to in agility performance. Methods: This research involves the participation of ten healthy college-aged volunteers from Montana State University of Billings. The study comprises two distinct groups: Only one group that is counterbalanced. This is a counterbalanced design with a pre-test and posttest of agility where all participants complete the different protocols including acting as their own controls. Participants will engage in the foot fire setting, aiming to maximize the number of steps on the quick board machine. Additionally, all groups will undergo a stability reaction setting, resembling a step dance machine, on the quick board to evaluate reaction time and athletic agility. The agility test is only 10 seconds long. The experiment will utilize the quick board agility test to assess agility scores, and each group will be subjected to this test to determine the most effective stretching techniques for enhancing agility performance.