Science became a science because it spoke truth to the ignorance that threatened human well-being. Science also spoke truth to power, especially when that power profited from the ignorance of others. Science and scientists often get criticized for this, especially when they challenge ignorance and power at the same time. The history of science, and especially the history of biology, lies in the history of our efforts to understand infectious diseases and develop policies to combat them. Many modern methods of science first appeared during battles to control infectious diseases and save lives. Societies develop public policies in response to challenges they face. They base policies on their understanding of a challenge and its cause. Get the hypothesis to explain the cause wrong and, the policy to confront the challenge likely will fail. The Black Death presented 14th century European society with such a challenge. Traveling the Silk Road from Central Asia, the plague invaded Crimea in 1343 and spread to all of Europe. The inability of European policymakers to understand the pandemics causes led to the death of half of Europes population, according to some historians. Hypotheses at the time included that the plague was the wrath of God, … Continue reading →

Photo credit: Jian Bautista For many biology majors, a microbiology focus is not only beneficial, but recommended. Due to the high demand for microbiology in various biological fields, being educated in the subject will allow more opportunities for jobs around the globe. Most states already have some sort of a microbiology program. Microbes are intricately involved in our own lives: how we digest food, theres research coming out about our own moods, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance in the medical field, to some of the stuff I do out in the environment, Brandon Briggs, assistant professor for the biology department at UAA, said. The need for microbiology in various fields is growing, the desire for a course in microbiology is becoming more and more of a necessity. [Microbes] really affect every aspect of our lives, Khrys Duddleston, professor in the biology department, said. A lot of what we learned, especially early on about genetics, we learned by studying bacteria. Because microorganisms are so easy to grow in the lab many of them are, I should say so you can grow them overnight, generate a lot of cells, you can carry out a variety of studies in which you can mutate their genomes. … Continue reading →

Clinton County Student Receives Biology Award at IUP NorthcentralPa.com Adam Wasser, son of Todd and Alicia Wasser, of Beverly Drive, Beech Creek, was honored at the third annual Biology Department Student Recognition Award Ceremony at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The ceremony was held to recognize outstanding ... See the article here: Clinton County Student Receives Biology Award at IUP - NorthcentralPa.com … Continue reading →