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Potluck of neuroscience: Meet microglia, your brain’s National Guard

Posted on by Taylor Woodward

This post is the second in a series that will highlight contributions from various scientific disciplines that have furthered our understanding of how the brain and nervous system affect how we think and behave. Click here for the previous installment about ion channels, and look out for more posts in the future! 

One of the first things you’ll learn about if you start studying the brain is that it is made of cells called neurons. While neuroscientists have a decent understanding about how neurons work, it turns out that at least half of the brain is actually made of non-neuronal cells called glia*. Glia, named after the Greek word for ‘glue,’ were initially thought to be a type of connective tissue in the nervous system, acting just as scaffolding, while the neurons did all of the communicating. In the last couple of decades, the growing field of neuroimmunology has highlighted the importance of a certain kind of glia: microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells.  

An illustration of a neuron showing its root-like dendrites, its blobular soma (body), and its long axon.
A simple diagram of a neuron with its three main parts: the dendrite, the soma, and the axon. Image attribution: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Neuron.svg.

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The beneficial attributes of vaccines

Posted on by Guest Contributor

This post was written by ScIU undergraduate intern Autumn Shively.

Vaccines remain a hot topic in this country, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand the importance of why we should be vaccinated, we first must understand how the immune system responds to an infection. When a disease-causing microorganism, called a pathogen, is introduced into our bodies, our immune system is signaled to initiate an attack on this intruder. Specifically, our immune system will try to stop the pathogen from multiplying, which will prevent the pathogen from spreading and decrease the infection. To coordinate this attack, the immune system will recruit different types of cells, including macrophages, B-lymphocytes, and T-lymphocytes. These cells all work together to dismember the virus or bacteria that enter the body, and then remember this intruder using molecules, called antigens, that are left behind. This response allows our immune cells to be alert and ready if the pathogen was to enter the body again and ensures that next time, the pathogen will be quicker and easier to attack. 

Vaccines imitate this initial introduction of a foreign pathogen in the body, since they typically contain the pathogen in a weakened or dead form. Therefore, vaccines allow our bodies to fight off the pathogen more easily by activating or refreshing the antigen recognition within our memory cells, so that we are prepared to find and fight off the same pathogen as soon as it enters our bodies again.

This image shows three pathogens, including measles, chicken pox, and the flu respectively, with their existing antibodies that have built up due to exposure of disease within our bodies. The last antigen shown is a new pathogen with no antibody near it because it is a new exposure.
Image credit: World Health Organization.

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Building Wakanda: a graduate student’s journey into sports psychology

Posted on by ScIU Editorial Team

A banner that reads: ScIU Commemorating Black History Month

This post is from ScIU’s archives. It was originally published by Lana Ruck in February 2020 and has been lightly edited to reflect current events.

A profile of DeJon Purnell in celebration of Black History Month

In the USA, sports are important, period. But many of us are aware that America’s cultural obsession with sports is not without its downsides. Still, I know people who are fine with that past few years’ Super Bowl mascots, or who found the coaches and plots of Netflix’s sports documentaries Cheer and Last Chance U [warning: very strong language] endearing, rather than concerning. This week on the blog, we tackle sports and performance from the perspective of mental health, talking with IU’s DeJon Purnell. 

Purnell is a Ph.D. student in the Counseling Psychology program in IU’s School of Education, and his specific focus is Sport and Performance Psychology. According to Purnell, who goes by DJ, he and others in his field “basically combine the fields of mental health counseling and psychology and apply them in the athletic performance domain.” While much of sports psychology translates directly into counseling the athletes themselves, DJ focuses on bigger-picture issues in sports and performance mental health, such as coaching behaviors and pathways to licensure for practicing sports counselors. (more…)

Welcome to the Weaver Lab: An interview with Dr. Lesley Weaver

Posted on by Chloe Holden

A banner that reads: ScIU Commemorating Black History Month

A profile of Dr. Lesley Weaver in celebration of Black History Month

Dr. Lesley Weaver, an alum of IU’s Department of Biology, has returned to campus as an Assistant Professor after her finishing her postdoctoral research at Johns Hopkins University. This past September, I had the opportunity to interview her about her experience as an early career researcher, setting up her lab, navigating IU in her new role as an Assistant Professor, and how the COVID-19 pandemic shift to online has simultaneously highlighted issues with and solutions to accessibility and diversity in academia.

Dr. Lesley Weaver poses for a head shot wearing a bright, cobalt blue top, smiling facing the camera, and wearing her black, curly hair down and parted on the side.
Dr. Lesley Weaver – Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology. Image credit: Dr. Lesley Weaver.
Drosophila ovary diagram. Image credit: screenshot from the Weaver Lab website.

What are your research interests? 

The big question I’m interested in is how different organs talk to each other and what they talk about. Since I can’t look at all of the different organs and all of the different ‘conversations’ between organs happening in humans, my lab research uses Drosophila (fruit flies) and focuses on reproduction to understand inter-organ communication. This is important because many external factors, such as changes in diet, bacterial infections, and exposure to environmental toxins, alter an organism’s physiology through disruption of tissue homeostasis, which could result in infertility. By using the fruit fly as a model, we can gain insight into how some of these inter-organ communication networks possibly act in humans.

How does it feel to be back at IU? What differences are there between being a graduate student and a faculty member on campus?

I’m from Indiana, so that was a major factor for me coming back. I have always been a small town girl, so I love the fact that Bloomington is a small town with a big university. Here, you have the benefit of being in a small community, but you also have a large university for students. 

One of the obvious differences between being a student here versus faculty is that as faculty, you get to experience Bloomington both when it’s flooded with students and during the breaks, when the students leave. Another difference I definitely feel is, since I was here last, I’m now considered an established investigator. 

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Diversity in Sciences Libraries

Posted on by Guest Contributor

This post was written by ScIU guest writer Haley Norris, a graduate student in IU’s Information and Library Sciences (ILS) Program.

A woman sits at a laptop with books spread around her.
Photo by Christina @ WOCinTech, CC0 on Unsplash

In 2019, Inside Higher Ed used federal data to show that Latinx and black students switched out of STEM majors at rates of 8% and 11% higher than their white counterparts. This led to people in higher education trying to figure out why BIPOC students did not feel supported enough to stay in STEM fields. The truth is that higher education is white-centric and reinforces many of the same layers of systemic racism that are more widely acknowledged in government, courts, policing, prisons, and beyond. To ensure that all students feel welcome and secure in STEM spaces, collegiate science libraries have launched many initiatives to support BIPOC students in tangible ways.

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Sunscreen Myths

Posted on by Guest Contributor

This post was written by ScIU Undergraduate Intern, Carly Jones.

We all know that feeling of smearing sunscreen across our face during the hot summer months. Heavy, oily, and greasy… it’s not the most elegant experience. But how important is sunscreen really? Well, as it turns out, it’s pretty essential for our health. Sunscreen protects us from ultraviolet (UV) rays, which come in two forms, UVB and UVA. UVB rays are what cause sunburns and contribute to the development of skin cancer, whereas UVA rays damage the skin from tanning, aging and wrinkling. Science shows that wearing sunscreen not only protects against sun damage and cancer, but also prevents visible signs of aging, evens skin tone, and reduces dark spots on the skin. Unfortunately, despite all of these health benefits, more than 85% of men and 70% of women do not wear sunscreen regularly. So why is that? 

Pictured is an extended arm holding a small, white bottle of sunscreen.
It is time to debunk common myths about sunscreen. Photo Credit: Carly Jones

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The Beginnings of Cryptozoology

Posted on by Guest Contributor

This post was written by ScIU Undergraduate Intern, Leecy Davis.

Cryptozoology is the “study of the unknown, legendary, or extinct animals whose existence or survival to the present day is disputed or unsubstantiated.” It was made a field of study in 1955, however, cryptozoology has been around since the 15th century BC. There’s significant misinformation concerning the field, with the majority of individuals not understanding what cryptozoology is or it’s beginnings. Cryptozoology isn’t people running around trying to catch vampires and werewolves, but rather one where scientists analyze both folklore and biological data to understand the phenomena of our world. It’s important to know our history, whether it be our personal, cultural, or the history of our world. When it comes to cryptozoology, the best way to explain its purpose is to know its history. There are several events that span over thousands of years that were instrumental in the creation of cryptozoology. It all begins in the 15th century BC, which is where we’ll begin. (more…)

Clean Water, Healthy Town: The importance of the Monroe Watershed

Posted on by Guest Contributor

This post was written by ScIU Undergraduate Intern, Cori Cox.

Lake Monroe is one of the best spots in Bloomington: trails, water skiing, boating, what more could you ask for? But little did you know, Lake Monroe is a lot more than just a leisure activity. It is the main water source for Bloomington and the surrounding areas. Each day the Monroe Water Treatment Plant pumps an average of 15 million gallons of water for people to use. We bath in this water and even drink it. But where is all of this water coming from? It turns out the answer is all around us. 

Monroe County is one of five counties that sits atop a massive watershed. A watershed is any plot of land that feeds into a water source such as a stream or lake. But there’s a problem: contamination. Runoff from rain, snow, or other sources can carry with it sediment, waste, or microorganisms that pollute our water. This can include toxic chemicals that humans put into the environment such as soap, oil, or fertilizer. Fertilizers such as atrazine are used in 80% of Indiana’s cornfields, and ingestion of atrazine contaminated water has been connected with serious changes in the human endocrine system.

An infographic featuring a computer generated section of land that contains a mountain, many rivers, city, ocean, and farmland. The water from the mountain flows down into the farmland and then into the city or ocean.
Watersheds can pick up sediments before collecting in a larger water source
PC: Flickr timmeko

Indiana’s main concern comes from contaminants  such as polychlorinated biphenyl and mercury. These contaminants can cause unusual algae growth that harms the ecosystem. Having a clean watershed is critical to the health of our city for multiple reasons. Unfortunately, parts of our watershed have already begun to deteriorate. The Monroe watershed consists of three primary branches that are commonly known as North Fork Salt Creek, Middle Fork Salt Creek, and South Fork Salt Creek. However,  the fourth branch, Crooked Creek,  has been classified as impaired by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management or  IDEM. Impaired means that the water in this location is not suitable to swim in, drink from, or consume the fish that live there.

A map featuring the water systems of Monroe County. To the East three main creeks feed into Lake Monroe (to the West), each with many smaller branches of water.
On the right of the highlighted area are the three main sources of the Monroe Reservoir: North Fork Salt Creek, Middle Fork Salt Creek, and South Fork Salt Creek.
PC: Friends of Lake Monroe

Thankfully, something is being done about it! Friends of Lake Monroe, IU, and a steering committee have a plan to help protect the Monroe watershed. With the help of the IDEM 319 grant, they have the resources to conduct field research including water quality monitoring and data analysis, public outreach and education. IU is home to the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Limnology Lab at which much of this testing is conducted. The team of students and staff at the Limnology Lab collect monthly samples from streams that feed into Lake Monroe in order to monitor the water quality. Water samples can be tested for E. coli, sediments, nutrients, macroinvertebrates, and discharge measurements.

A woman wearing waders is knee deep in a river holds a clip board and one end of a long measuring tape which is stretched out across the surface of the water.
Lienne Sethna (seen here) and Lindsey Rasnake collect data from various parts of Monroe County’s Watershed for the Limnology Lab at IU.

Lynnette Murphy, O’Neill graduate student and Limnology Lab intern, urges members of the community to help protect the watershed through simple measures. Lynnette organizes volunteer events that involve both the IU Limnology Lab and Friends of Lake Monroe. First, she says, learning about watersheds is step number one. Congratulations, you’ve already done that one! She goes on to say, “Since our lake and streams have been listed with impairments of E. coli and algal blooms, some other educational opportunities exist to find out where these sources might be coming from, so learning about the area around you and the land-use within the watershed that might benefit from utilizing alternative practices.” Alternative practices in this case can range from planting native plant species that don’t require fertilizers or pesticides in your yard, picking up after your dog, or learning how to identify issues with the septic system that might be on your property.

If you would like to be more involved with the protection of the Monroe Watershed, the Friends of Lake Monroe hosts monthly steering committee meetings that are open to the public. You could also join the Friend of Lake Monroe nonprofit group here. Twice a year the IU O’Neill Limnology Lab hosts a Watershed Sampling Blitz where small teams of volunteers are given supplies and GPS locations to collect water samples themselves. This can be a great opportunity to explore nature with your friends and give back to the environment at the same time. The next Sampling Blitz volunteer event will be held in Spring 2021. Those who are interested can email flmblitz@iu.edu, and they will be given more information.

Acknowledgements

A big thank you to Lynnette Murphey, Lindsey Rasnake, and everyone working at the Limnology Lab for their help with providing me with the information I needed for this post.

Edited by Ben Greulich and Evan Leake

“They have seaweed in the library?”: Algological books by Victorian women

Posted on by Nathan Schmidt

Of all the wonderful things a great library can be, “a vessel for preserving the natural world,” may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But the library can be a preservational space as significant as a national park or a wildlife preserve. Not just in words and images, but in actual specimens. Take, for example, the copy of a rare and unusual book by Elizabeth Allom, The Sea-Weed Collector, found at IU’s Lilly Library.

An image of a green book with a florally embossed cover, the title stamped in gold, and water stains.
Cover of Allom’s The Sea-Weed Collector; note what appear to be water stains. Image by the author, courtesy the Lilly Library.

 

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Dog Therapy

Posted on by Guest Contributor

This post was written by ScIU Social Media Intern, Autumn Shively.

Mental health awareness in the United States has become less taboo throughout the decade. As people both young and old become more comfortable talking about their mental health, methods for treatments are constantly evolving. Since 40 million adults in the US are diagnosed with anxiety disorder and 18 million adults suffer from depression, those who are dealing with their diagnosis are trying new approaches for coping with their disorders [1]. 

A service dog, with yellow lab features, stands at the side of a pool with it's harness on while sniffing the forehead of it's handler who is in the pool.
Service dogs are incredibly important to the wellbeing of their handlers and can be found by their side no matter the location. Photo credit: CC0 on Pixabay.

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