News from the College of Sciences
To Repair a Damaged Heart, Three Cells are Better Than One
“At 20 weeks we were still able to see the cells,” Monsanto said. “Our design takes advantage of the inherent beneficial attributes of three distinct cardiac cell types, each known to possess beneficial properties that blunt heart disease in their own way.”
Hydroponic Strawberries, Ancestry, Lung Tissue and Math, and Immersive Theater
Senior Dewayani Windy, an applied math major, used computational simulations to study how lung tissue grows and branches out to form airways. She learned to use math equations to describe complex biological processes.
New Guidelines for Phage Preparation Can Accelerate Lifesaving Treatment
“Many of our patients have so little time, so speed is of the essence and this protocol would really make a difference, since one run can produce enough doses to treat a patient for months.”
‘Little Brain’ or Cerebellum — Not so Little After All
Neuroscientist Martin Sereno, director of the SDSU MRI Imaging Center, and his collaborators discovered the cerebellum is much larger than previously understood, enabling future advances in research.
Hot or Cold, Venomous Rattlesnakes Still Quick to Strike
In nature, how quickly a creature moves can mean the difference between life and death. Venomous rattlesnakes defend themselves by uncoiling and striking out when faced with predators or prey.
Spiders, Doomed Flies, and Tougher Textiles — Just Add Water
A DoD grant will help SDSU’s Gregory Holland further explore spider silk and its possible application toward incredibly tough biomaterials.
In the Arctic, Spring Snowmelt Triggers Fresh CO2 Production
New research from San Diego State University finds that water from spring snowmelt infiltrates the soil and triggers fresh carbon dioxide production at higher rates than previously assumed.
Reducing the Damage of a Heart Attack
SDSU researchers have discovered how a key protein can help the heart regulate oxygen and blood flow and repair damage. In a heart attack, a series of biochemical processes…
Classroom Equity App Gets NSF Grant
A nearly $1 million grant for SDSU’s Daniel Reinholz will allow further exploration of a tool to reduce longstanding forms of implicit bias.
#ShutDownSTEM
#ShutDownSTEM is a movement to stop all academic work on Wednesday, June 10, supported by a multi-identity, intersectional coalition of STEM professionals and academics taking action for Black lives. The shutdown should be a time to educate ourselves and discuss actionable goals to move toward a just, equitable, and inclusive STEM field; steps to take to reach those goals; and metrics for evaluating progress.
Corals Face Threat from Tiny Enemy
Climate change and environmental stressors are not the only threats for coral reefs worldwide. Overfishing allows other reef organisms such as algae to crowd out corals. This has a snowball effect that alters the battlefield corals face.
You Don’t Smoke – But Your Home Could Have Thirdhand Smoke Residue
“When you smoke, tobacco smoke chemicals accumulate over time and create these reservoirs that fill slowly and also empty slowly. Some of these reservoirs may never be depleted because chemicals are still sticky.”
Researchers Aim to Reduce LGBTQ Youth Suicide with $3.6M Grant to Fund Novel Intervention
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults, behind unintentional injury, with suicide attempts much higher among LGBTQ youth (23% to 45%) than their heterosexual and cisgender peers (5%).
This Stings: Some Flowers Can Harm the Bumble Bees They’re Meant to Attract
“There is something about certain plant species that makes them hotspots for transmitting infections, when an infected bee visits these flowers, they might leave the parasite behind to be picked up by the next visiting bee.”
Researchers Tracing How COVID-19 Spreads, Mutates in the Environment
A multidisciplinary team of experts in virology and computer modeling has quickly assembled at San Diego State University to learn more about how the new coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads in the environment and how its trajectory can be better predicted.
In Memoriam: Roland Wolkowicz
“Roland believed in the power of education,” said Cameron Smurthwaite, who studied under Wolkowicz and became a close friend. “Roland believed that science could bridge gaps between classes and people, and that education was a part of this.”
Marine Microbiologist Receives Major NSF Career Development Award
The nearly $1 million grant will enable Nicholas Shikuma to further explore how bacteria cause metamorphosis in marine animals and corals.
How This SDSU Professor is Making the Most of Virtual Instruction
“My graduate students are stressed about the impact this will have on their research,” Shikuma said. “Among my undergraduate students, some are seniors who are sad to leave their friends since this is their last semester in college, and I can relate to that.”