Filter This: how we can build an easily accessible, functional filter.  

Objectives

To determine which construction of an accessible homemade water filter best filters bacteria and soil from contaminated water. This information can be used by individuals who live in areas that lack clean water. 

Materials and Methods 

The contaminated water used in the filtration process was made with cultured E. coli, and soil.  Once made the water was filtered through homemade filters that had different components within them:

- Filter 1- coffee filter. 

- Filter 2- coffee filter, 3.5 ounces of sand.

- Filter 3- coffee filter, 3.5 ounces of sand, a piece of cheesecloth. 

- Filter 4- coffee filter, 3.5 ounces of sand, a piece of cheesecloth, 3.5 ounces activated charcoal.

- Filter 5- coffee filter, 3.5 ounces of sand, a piece of cheesecloth, 3.5 ounces activated charcoal, 5 cotton balls.  

After filtration, the microorganisms and solid particles present after filtering were tested via a TDS meter and bacterial growth test strips.

Results 

The results were based on the bacteria remaining and TDS levels of the filtered water. The average TDS levels were:

-Filter 1- 86.33ppm

-Filter 2- 68ppm

-Filter 3- 88.33ppm

-Filter 4- 93.66ppm

-Filter 5- 89.5ppm

The average bacteria per mL were: 

-Filter 1- 670000 

-Filter 2- 1000000

-Filter 3- 10000

-Filter 4-  6700

-Filter 5-  3400

Conclusion

Based on the data, the best component to construct a homemade filter is cheesecloth. The filters containing cheesecloth reduced the bacteria at the greatest rate. There were no trends indicated in the TDS levels.

When algae gets salty: the effects of varying amounts of sodium chloride on cyanobacteria

Objectives

This experiment investigated how varying concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) impact the overall growth rate of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). The objective is to determine how different salinity levels affect algal proliferation. 

Materials and Methods 

To assess the impact of sodium chloride concentrations on cyanobacterial growth, 10 flasks were filled with 100 ml of distilled water and equal amounts of cyanobacteria cultures. Aeration was ensured using plastic tubing, rubber stoppers, and air pumps. Initial optical density and pH levels were measured. Two flasks served as controls (0g NaCl), and the experimental groups included 0.2g, 0.25g, and 0.35g NaCl concentrations. Flasks were placed under controlled conditions, and final optical density and pH levels were measured.

Results:

The concentrations (0.2g) decreased growth, while concentrations of (0.35g) significantly increased growth, and the control group (0g) showed increased growth, (0.25) decreased growth but not as significantly as (0.2g)

From the data I found lower concentrations (0.2g) decreasing growth, higher concentrations (0.35g) significantly increasing growth, and no sodium chloride (0g) allowing growth to flourish, supporting my hypothesis 

Conclusion 

From the data I collected I found that certain concentrations such as 0.2g decreased growth, showing how sodium chloride can be used to control cyanobacteria growth supporting my hypothesis.

Sleepless nights: How sleep deprivation impacts reproductive health.

Objectives

The objective of this research was to understand the effects of sleep deprivation on reproduction rate. Sleep deprivation was induced by exposing caffeine to female Drosophila melanogaster. Additionally, different exposure times were investigated to see if this changed the effect.

Methods 

In this research 50 female virgin Drosophila melanogaster mated with 50 male Drosophila melanogaster housed in vials that contained food medium. Additionally, during the mating process females were exposed to different amounts of caffeine at different times then allocated into the following groups: 

• The control, not receiving caffeine

• Before mating (BM) with 1 mg/mL of caffeine

• Before mating (BM) with .5 mg/mL of caffeine

• After mating (AM) with 1 mg/mL caffeine given 

• After mating (AM) with .5 mg/mL of caffeine. 

Post mating, flies were incubated for four weeks to allow the pupa to develop. The pupa would later be separated and counted. 

Results 

The results were based on the average number of pupa produced for each group: AM .5 mg/mL with 64.2, AM 1 mg/mL with  146.3, BM .5 mg/mL with 132.7, BM 1 mg/mL with 41 and control with 172.9. The highest egg output was from the control group at 172.9.

Conclusion

The hypothesis that sleep deprivation reduces reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster was supported. These findings can be correlated to humans due to similarities in the genetic makeup. Providing a deeper understanding of the impact of lack of sleep on the human body. 

Fit Flies: How does exercise improve motor symptoms in drosophila with the LRRK2 gene mutation leading to Parkinson’s disease?

Objectives

This study investigated whether exercise improves motor function in individuals with Parkinson's disease. To investigate Parkinson’s disease, a drosophila model with the LRRK2 gene mutation linked to Parkinson’s disease engaged in exercise.

Materials and Methods 

A homemade exercise machine was built using a laser cutter and lego pieces. This machine was programmed to rotate vials containing drosophila, causing them to exercise due to their innate nature to climb. To test the effects of exercise, three groups of drosophila with Parkinson’s disease exercised for different periods of time. One group exercised for three 20 minute intervals with 5 minute breaks in between once a day for 2 weeks and the other group exercised for three 10 minute intervals with 5 minute breaks in between once a day for 2 weeks. The control group didn’t exercise at all. After 2 weeks, a climbing assay was conducted to see the percentage of drosophila crossing the 17.5 cm mark of a graduated cylinder every 30 seconds. This was done to determine if the motor function of the drosophila improved with exercise.  

Results 

The results were based on the percentage of flies that crossed the 17.5 cm mark in a climbing assay. In the high-intensity group, 9% crossed. In the low-intensity group, 83% crossed. In the control group, 8% crossed.

Conclusion

Low-intensity exercise improved motor symptoms in drosophila with Parkinson’s disease, partially supporting the hypothesis. It is hypothesized that the rotational intensity was too high in the high-intensity group, reducing effectiveness.

A Pouch Full of Microplastic in Condiment Packets?

Objectives

This study investigated the amount of microplastic present in Kraft-Heinz plastic to-go packaged condiments. The condiments included ranch, honey mustard, barbeque sauce, and ketchup, 

Materials and Methods

For each condiment, three of the packages were tested. The vacuum filtration system (vacuum filtration apparatus and a vacuum pump) is set up with one piece of filter paper. One packet of a condiment is then dissolved in 200 ml of water at 40 degrees Celsius and poured into the filtration system. The collected residue is then air-dried and dyed with Nile Red solution. The filter paper is cut into four pieces to fit on the sample slide of the microscope.  The number of microplastics is counted for all four filter papers that are at the center covered by the microscope cover slip.. The same procedure is repeated for all three packages of the same condiment. The average unit (# of microplastics/5 cm) and a table are then created to record the results. 

Results 

Barbeque sauce had fewer particles compared to other condiments. The data are so preliminary due to the lack of magnification of the microscope used that the data is uninterpretable. If the particles are microplastics, the number of microplastics in ranch is the highest. 

Conclusion

The particles/objects might be water bubbles, spices, residue from the ingredients like tomato, or possibly microplastic. They all look similar under the available magnification. That means it is difficult to conclude the presence of microplastics. 

Traditional remedy vs modern medicine: Which has a greater influence on the zone of inhibition of E. coli- Prescribed antibiotics or Trametes versicolor 

Objectives

Due to the overuse of antibiotics, bacteria such as E. coli have mutated to be unaffected by treatment, known as antibiotic resistance. As a result antibiotic resistance has become a serious problem. This research aimed to find an alternative treatment for E. coli by testing the effectiveness of homemade and store bought T. versicolor supplements against a traditionally prescribed antibiotic, ampicillin. 

Materials and Methods 

Homemade T. versicolor supplements were made by grinding dried T. versicolor mushrooms and extracting their active ingredients in boiling distilled water.  Sterile discs were then soaked in the homemade extract as well as the store bought supplement dissolved in water. Once T. versicolor disc treatments were prepared, petri dishes were swabbed with E. coli before disc containing ampicillin, homemade T. versicolor, store bought T. versicolor and distilled water were placed in the petri dish. After the dishes were incubated for 2 days, they were taken out and the zone of inhibition was measured.

Results 

The Ampicillin had the largest zone of inhibition averaging at 0.9 mm meanwhile all other groups had an average of 0 mm. A graph driven test produced a p-value >0.1 which showed the data was statistically significant. 

Conclusion

The hypothesis that the store bought T. versicolor supplements would result in the highest zone of inhibition was not supported. Thus showing that some natural remedies aren't as effective as prescribed antibiotics and therefore are not a possible solution to reduce antibiotic resistance.

Decoding PD: The effects of Levodopa, an over-the-counter medication, on decreasing symptoms in a drosophila model of Parkinson's disease

Objectives

According to the National Institution of Neurological Disorders, around 500,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Levodopa has been suspected to reduce symptoms of PD. Therefore this research aims to determine if Levodopa, an over the counter medication, could reduce PD symptoms.

Materials and Methods 

This research cultured 3 different concentrations of Levodopa with a Drosophila model possessing the LRRK2 gene mutation, which is associated with PD. Groups of flies were either exposed to a low concentration (100μM), medium (150μM) or high concentration (200μM) of Levodopa. Each group was exposed to the designated concentration for 3 days in their culture medium and then transferred into the DAM System 2 activity monitor for an additional 3 days. 

Results 

The results were based on the total number of times the Drosophila crossed the sensor in the activity monitor. The group of drosophila exposed to high concentrations of levodopa showed the highest activity with an average of 529.25 moves. In addition, they showed a relatively high survival rate of 50%. In terms of the flies treated with a medium concentration, they averaged 209.2 moves. The medium concentration flies had the highest survival rate of 62%. The flies treated with a low concentration of levodopa averaged 59.6 moves, and had a survival rate of 38%. The control group showed very little movement, averaging 2.3 moves and had a survival rate of 50%. 

Conclusion

The flies treated with the high concentration had the highest amount of motor function. This supports the hypothesis that the highest concentration of Levodopa would reduce PD symptoms the greatest.

An occasion for decellularization: Testing the effectiveness of Triton X-100, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, and CHAPS in the decellularization of Beef Kidney, Chicken Liver, Spinach Leaves, and Ficus. Hispida leaves

Objectives

The objective was to test the effectiveness of 3 detergents (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, Triton X-100, CHAPS) in decellularizing beef kidney, chicken liver, spinach leaves, and Ficus. Hispida leaves with the goal of developing a fully decellularized ECM. The most effective detergent found can be utilized in decellularization in the medical field. 

Methods 

Nets with twine attached suspended the specimens in beakers containing the different solutions. Decellularizing solutions were made by combining 5g of SDS, Triton X-100, and CHAPS separately with 1000mL of DH2O. Samples were cut to a controlled size. They were then placed in their beakers with the appropriate solution. Solutions were changed periodically during their 7-10 day submersion. The samples were then stained with methylene blue and visualized under a microscope. Post-visualization, samples were blended separately with 50mL of DH2O, and the absorbance was measured at the known peak of methylene blue (668 nm) to determine concentration. 

Results

CHAPS samples were the most visually decellularized; specifically the spinach leaves had turned partially translucent. When looking at the different tissue samples collectively, those decellularized by Triton X-100 had the lowest avg. methylene blue absorbance (0.2756), followed by the SDS samples having an avg. absorbance of 0.2895, then CHAPS had the highest avg. absorbance (0.4616). 

Conclusion 

Samples that were less decellularized had a higher absorption of methylene blue due to the presence of nuclei; therefore, the tissues decellularized by Triton X-100 were the most decellularized because they had the lowest absorption.

Exploring PD connections: Effect of natural antibiotics compared to levodopa on basal slowing in C. elegans

Objectives

This study investigated the effectiveness of natural compounds in comparison to the commercial drug levodopa on basal slowing in a C. elegans N2 model of Parkinson’s disease.

Materials and Methods 

20ml of LB Broth seeded with E. coli OP50 was separated into 4 centrifuge tubes, adding 0.25µl of each treatment (curcumin, nicotinamide, levodopa, distilled water) into its respective tube using the ratio 0.05µl/mL. Once 16 NGM plates were obtained and divided into groups of 4, 50µl of treatment from each centrifuge tube was micropipetted into its designated plate to be incubated overnight. Afterward, plates were chunked with C. elegans and later, 5 C. elegans per plate were observed under a microscope to record the average basal slowing rate per group.

Results 

Results were measured using the basal slowing rate (BSR), or the number of movements per C. elegans within 20 seconds. The average BSR for the control group was 14, levodopa was 24.75, curcumin was 25.35, and nicotinamide was 26.1. Overall, the C. elegans receiving nicotinamide had the greatest average BSR.

Conclusion

It was hypothesized incorrectly that the C. elegans receiving curcumin would have the greatest average BSR as nicotinamide worked the best, meaning the most dopamine was present to stimulate the response. A lack of dopamine connects to the progression of Parkinson’s Disease in patients, indicating that increasing dopamine is a positive change. Therefore, nicotinamide is an effective natural remedy against the progression of PD as it can increase dopamine in patients.

The Spice Shield: Garlic, Ginger, and Turmeric’s effect against E. Coli to harness the power of our natural resources

Objectives

This study investigated the effectiveness of ginger, garlic, and turmeric in eliminating Escherichia coli bacteria.

Materials and Methods 

In order to see how effective plants with antibacterial properties were at killing Escherichia coli, the bacteria was treated with garlic, ginger, turmeric, and water (as the control group).  10 petri dishes were used in each of the 4 groups. The Escherichia coli was then swabbed in each petri dish. Then, an autoclaved hole punched piece of paper (disk shaped) soaked in the plant extract (10 disks for each of the 4 groups) was placed into the middle of the petri dish. To obtain the results, the zone of inhibition was measured in each petri dish (in mm) to see how much bacteria was left. 

Results 

The results were based on the average zone of inhibition of each petri dish treated with each plant extract. The control group (water) had the lowest average zone of inhibition, and the group treated with ginger had the largest average zone of inhibition, making it the most effective treatment (out of the four) against Escherichia coli.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the group treated with ginger had the largest average zone of inhibition, therefore the most effective at killing the Escherichia coli. This supports my hypothesis, because it was hypothesized that if garlic, turmeric, and ginger are given to Escherichia coli, then, this will lead to a zone of inhibition, indicating that the plants are fighting against the Escherichia coli.

Gut feeling: The effect of Lactobacillus casei on the Caenorhabditis elegans strain CL2120 with amyloid B plagues from Alzheimer's Disease 

Objectives

The objective of this experiment was to determine if Caenorhabditis elegans with the AB protein gene given the probiotic Lactobacillus casei will present the most amount of bends, indicating that there is a preventative effect on Alzheimer’s disease.  

Materials and Methods 

The experimental group was fed 0.115 g/L of Lactobacillus casei by adding that to the OP50 food put onto the C. elegans plates. OP50 without the probiotic was added to the plates of the control group. After 24 hour incubation, the plates were put under an organism viewing microscope and counted each C. elegans number of bends for a20 second period. 

Results 

The average number of bends for the experimental group was 18.815 bends while the average number of bends for the control group was 6 bends. For the control group not fed the Lactobacillus casei, the highest number of bends between all the C. elegans was 19 bends. For the experimental group fed the Lactobacillus casei, the highest number of bends between all the C. elegans was 40 bends.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the data followed a linear increase in which the average number of bends from the experimental group greatly increased from the average number of bends presented by the control group. This indicates that the Lactobacillus casei supplement affected the amyloid beta, which forms plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Less plaques impacted the C. elegans to increase neuronal activity.

Spicing Up Cancer Research: Reducing tumor growth in Girardia tigrina using Curcuma longa

Objectives

According to the American Cancer Society, 1.9 million people are affected yearly by cancer. Due to the prevalence of cancer this research aimed to see if cadmium chloride induced tumors in Girardia tigrina could be reduced using curcumin, a naturally occurring compound in the roots of a turmeric plant. 

Materials and Methods 

To induce tumors, 30 Girardia tigrina were cultured in 0.6 mg/L of cadmium chloride and 0.1mg/L TPA for 2 weeks. After the two weeks, the Girardia tigrina were removed from the cancer inducing culture and tumor growth was measured via a software that measures tumor size. The Girardia tigrina were then separated into different groups: 15 were placed in 0.00075g/ml curcumin and 15 in spring water for one week. Post treatment, Girardia tigrina were observed under a microscope and tumor measurements were repeated to observe any reduction in tumor size.  

Results

The results were based on the reduction in tumor area. It was found that the group treated with curcumin had the greatest tumor reduction with an average of 0.098mm2 of tumor reduction. While the control group had an increase in tumor growth after the treatment with an average of 0.072mm2.

Conclusion  

In conclusion, the group treated with curcumin mitigated tumor growth. Which supports the hypothesis that the group treated with curcumin would have a reduction in tumor area. Overall, this research has shown that curcumin is an effective cancer treatment.

Sweet Danger: How increased glucose levels impact the antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus Epidermidis 

Objectives

This study investigated the efficacy of the following antibiotic types: linezolid, cefazolin, and vancomycin, and how they impact the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis in an environment with increasing glucose levels that resemble diabetic patients' sugar levels. Diabetic individuals are prone to more hospital visits and having heart disease, thereby raising the probability of getting S. Epidermidis.

Materials and Methods 

There was a culture of 48 petri dishes of S. epidermidis grown in an environment containing varying glucose levels of 0.0g, 0.05g, 0.5g, and 5.0g. There were 12 plates per group. The three different antibiotics were added to their respective plates, for a total of 16 plates per each antibiotic.

Results 

The results were based on which antibiotic was most effective against S. Epidermidis and the impact of increasing glucose levels played. Cefazolin was the most effective antibiotic, Linezolid was the second most and Vancomycin was the least effective. Furthermore, the zone of inhibitions across the plates heightened in correspondence with the glucose levels proving bacterial growth was less in elevated glucose settings. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cefazolin was the most effective antibiotic against S. Epidermidis and plates with elevated glucose levels saw high antibiotic efficiency equivalent to less bacterial growth.

The Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate and Urolithin A Treatment on Amyloid Plaques and Mitophagy in a Drosophila melanogaster Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Objectives

According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and despite the prevalence of AD, there are currently no known cures. The objective of this project was to determine if EGCG and urolithin A could alleviate Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, as well as their synergistic effects. 

Materials and Methods 

Fruit flies were crossed to express Aβ42 in the brain, modeling Alzheimer’s disease by causing amyloid plaques and mitochondrial dysfunction. Then, these flies were split into 10 groups, 5 groups were control flies and 5 groups were the Alzheimer’s flies. The five groups were given either a placebo, DMSO (vehicle control), 0.5 mM EGCG, 0.5 mM UA, or 0.5 mM EGCG + UA. During treatment negative geotaxis assays were performed every 3-4 days for the span of 14 days starting on day zero to quantify the severity of AD. After 14 days, fly brains were dissected and stained with Thioflavin T in order to measure amyloid plaques. Additionally, the mitochondrial SOD was measured using an SOD assay in order to measure mitophagy. 

Conclusion

The combined EGCG and UA treatment caused the fastest climbing speed and least amount of amyloid fibrils in Aβ42 flies. 

From Carcinogen to Cure: Celecoxib’s Role in Tumor Suppression in Dugesia tigrina

Objectives

According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second cause of death worldwide. Due to its prevalence, cancer research is imperative. As a result, this research investigates celecoxib’s effects on tumor reduction.

Materials and Methods 

Dugesia tigrina were imaged before the start of experimentation. Tumors were then induced in Dugesia tigrina using 3.3µM of CdCl2 and 0.2µM of TPA in the culture medium for 2 weeks. Tumors were imaged again after initial induction. The developed tumors were then mitigated with the application of celecoxib (TNF-a inhibitor) in the culture medium with either concentrations of 0.15mg celecoxib/0.02ml DMSO and 0.3mg celecoxib/0.02ml DMSO for one week. Finally, tumors were imaged for a final time, and input into ImageJ to calculate the difference between the initial and final tumor measurements.

Results and Conclusion  

Based on the results, the hypothesis is supported. The group exposed to CdCl2 + TPA + DMSO + 0.3mg celecoxib had the greatest reduction of tumor area with an average of 0.6524mm2. The group exposed to CdCl2 + TPA had the greatest increase of tumor area with an average of 0.1322mm2. There is also a linear relationship between celecoxib concentration and tumor area decrease, with the group exposed to 0.15mg of celecoxib garnering an average tumor area decrease of 0.3347mm2. The impact of this experiment is applicable worldwide. The data found implies that the use of NSAIDs in cancer therapy is effective at reducing cancerous tumors. 

Effects of Panax Ginseng on mitochondrial dysfunction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; implications for cardiovascular and autoimmune disease.

Objectives

The objective of this experiment was to determine whether or not ginseng extract would be an effective therapy in preventing mitochondrial dysfunction that may lead to the development of certain cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, in the model organism S. cerevisiae. 

Materials and Methods 

This experiment utilizes 4 concentrations of ginseng extract, 0.3mm, 0.4mm, and 0.5mm and a group containing no ginseng to serve as a control group. To conduct this experiment, a YED agar solution was mixed and used to fill 26 petri dishes. The petri dishes were inoculated with the S. cerevisiae and left to grow in an incubator. Following this, the ginseng extracts are applied with 6 dishes using each concentration. Lastly, the S. cerevisiae colonies were stained with fluorescent mitochondria dye. S. cerevisiae will continue to be observed under a microscope to determine the ginseng’s effectiveness through measuring fluorescence of the mitochondria and therefore, mitochondrial health. Photos of the S. cerevisiae will then be imputed in an image processing software to verify the fluorescence of the mitochondria, to gather quantitative data.

Results/Conclusion

Due to the Palisades Fire, all results and conclusions will be presented at the Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair.

Oxidative Sweetness: Sweetner’s Role in Saccharomyces cerevisiae’s Response to Oxidative Stress

Objectives

This study investigated how different concentrations of erythritol, sucralose, and sucrose affect the oxidative stress in the HA0 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing the rrm3 mutant. We will measure transmittance to determine oxidative stress caused by each sugar. 

Materials and Methods 

4g of each sugar substitute will be added separately in different experimental groups’ agar mixtures. The control group will have no sweetener added to the agar mixture. To complete this experiment, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells will be collected. The transmittance will measure the reproductive level.. Finally, those results will indicate the oxidative stress the sweeteners cause to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results can be applied to humans.

Results & Conclusion

In conclusion, the addition of erythritol to Saccharomyces cerevisiae caused the most oxidative stress to the yeast. This disproves our hypothesis, because we hypothesized, the highest levels of oxidative stress will be observed in the sucralose and sucrose treatment groups. Now we know that sucrose and sucralose are better for your health than erythritol. 

Chronic caffeine exposure and its intergenerational effect on sleep and rest in Drosophila melanogaster

Objectives

Caffeine is often regarded as a drug that only has short-term effects on its user through an interaction with the adenosine receptor. However, some studies have observed epigenetic changes caused by regular caffeine exposure. Epigenetic changes have been shown to be heritable in certain circumstances. This study investigated activity levels of the subsequent generation of caffeine-exposed Drosophila melanogaster to test for heritable behavioral changes. 

Methods 

32 D. melanogaster were divided into two groups comprised of 8 males and 8 females. One group was fed a regular diet, while the other was exposed to caffeine via food in a concentration of 0.5mg/mL. Effect of caffeine exposure on activity was monitored using the Trikinetics DAM2 monitor. To assess heritability of the effect of caffeine exposure, activity level of the subsequent generation of flies from both experimental groups, none of which were exposed to caffeine, was measured using the same methodology.

Results

The P1 generation experienced a 1% increase, 17% increase, and 12% increase from the control to experimental group in sleep time, average total crossings, and average crossings during awake periods, respectively. 

Conclusion

These results, while statistically insignificant, could imply caffeine is capable of inducing heritable changes in D. melanogaster. Once reinforced by other studies, these data have the potential to inform future research on the mechanisms of drug-induced heritable changes.