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ScLi12- Identify the elements in the methods that allow researchers answer their research question A real study aimed to test whether the pattern of resource distribution in an environment affected the number of individuals of a certain species that can be maintained by that environment. Researchers used single-strain populations of budding yeast (microorganism that you use to raise dough) in plates with the amino acid tryptophan (Trp) as the exploited, renewable resource. Researchers set plates with  Trp in order to manipulate the supply of the limiting resource.  96 plates were tested. Each plate was divided in 12 sections. Each plate had either a heterogeneous or homogeneous distribution of resources (Trp). A heterogeneous environment was designed by alternating high and low Trp concentrations. A homogeneous environment was designed as having a uniform amount of Trp in all 12 sections. Yeast abundance in each well was quantified every 24 h.

ScLi4- Acknowledge the importance of Scientific communication A friend found this multivitamins site, claiming amazing effects for your health.   Tally multivitamins As a scientist, what can you tell them?

ScLi16- Identify the purpose of discussions in scientific articles The following is an excerpt of the study Herbivore effects increase with latitude across the extent of a foundational seagrass, whose first author is Dr. Justin Campbell (a professor in our bio department). The study addressed the effect of increased consumption of sea grasses by herbivorous fish on seagrass health at different latitudes. Researchers addressed their objective by simulating herbivory by cutting the grass in different amounts.  This is part of a paragraph in their discussion: “Our network also reveals that low-latitude meadows are generally more resilient to simulated grazing (mostly severe overgrazing) and that this differential response is driven by increased insolation which promotes plant carbohydrate storage (Fig. 4 and Supplementary Table 9). Thus, across low latitudes, many meadows can utilize ample reserves to replace leaf biomass and consequently display minor shifts in leaf productivity in response to grazing.” Which of the following are functions of discussions that are NOT being addressed in the paragraph?

ScLi12- Identify the elements in the methods that allow researchers answer their research question A real study aimed to test if temperature plays a role in a barnacle species (Notochthamalus spp.) abundance, growth and distribution.  Researchers performed a shading study conducted at two intertidal elevations and determined the effect on the abundance, growth rate and space occupation. The study was conducted on the central Chilean coast.   “To investigate the effect of emersion temperature on the growth, cover and reproductive output of  Notochthamalus, we shaded ten 10 × 10 cm plots in each of the high and mid barnacle zones with plastic mesh.  All experimentally shaded areas had similar total barnacle cover (~50%) at the start of the experiment. Ten control areas (unshaded 10 × 10 cm plots) of similar total barnacle cover were selected in each barnacle zone from an ongoing study of the same species. In order to characterize thermal conditions in each zone and the efficacy of the experimental shading treatment, we monitored rock temperatures over the course of the study. ”  

ScLi13- Identify elements in results that provide information on how study variables behaved The following is an excerpt of the study Herbivore effects increase with latitude across the extent of a foundational seagrass, whose first author is Dr. Justin Campbell (a professor in our bio department). “In this Article, we used a network of 650 experimental plots distributed across 13 seagrass meadows in the western North Atlantic to explore the effects of increased herbivory on a marine ecosystem under the emerging threat of tropicalization. We were particularly interested in high-latitude turtlegrass meadows at the northern edge of this species’ range, and our approach was a comparative analysis of herbivore effects (and the drivers of its variation) across tropical–subtropical waters. We specifically asked (1) What are the effects of increased herbivory on the health and ecological functioning of turtlegrass across its geographic extent? (2) Are these effects more prominent at the higher latitudes near northern range boundaries? […] To answer these questions, we conducted a synchronous, year-long manipulative field experiment at turtlegrass sites distributed from Panama (9° N) to Bermuda (32° N) (Fig. 1a). At each site, we factorially manipulated grazing intensity and nutrient availability. Grazing was manipulated using two techniques (1) the exclusion of large natural grazers (turtles and large herbivorous fishes) using mesh caging and (2) the simulation of increased grazing by clipping the leaf canopy to varying degrees, severe grazing (full-clip) and moderate grazing (half -clip) (Fig. 1 and Extended Data Fig. 1). Nutrient availability was manipulated by fertilizer amendments. ”   Which of the following statements in the results address question 1 or 2?

ScLi10- Identify study variables in research articles The following paragraph explains the methods used in a study where researchers looked at the effect of the introduction of the burmese python in the Everglades, on the mosquito (Cx. cedecei, a carrier for many diseases) behavior.  “We measured host use of Cx. cedecei inside and outside the introduced range of the Burmese python in Florida using PCR-based blood meal analysis (…) Sampling was conducted on 20 days, spread across five non-consecutive months (Dec 2015–Aug 2016) […] Blood meal analysis used antibody-based methods for identifying vertebrate source of mosquito bloodmeals.  match the following variables with their type

ScLi-3 Perform a successful literature search The principal investigator of the behavioral ecology lab where you are performing your research internship has asked you to search information about mate choice in lizards. Which of the following titles you think would have valuable information to give you a general idea about the topic?

ScLi11- Identify predictions of research papers A study wants to test the following hypothesis: Habitat restoration positively impacts the population density of endangered bird species. Researchers will restore half of the plots in an altered grassland. They will compare restored plots against unrestored plots. They will measure bird density before restoration and one year after restoration.

ScLi-2 Identify research and review articles What kind of article is this? Click here to open link (access by selecting FIU as the institution and log in with your FIU credentials) Click here to download PDF

Climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year globally between 2030 and 2050 by exacerbating climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, malnutrition, and heat stress.