Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a disease which affects a large percentage of the United States and the risk of developing T2D is increasing according to recent CDC estimates. T2D can be fatal, and although patients are living longer with it, the costs of ca . . .

Panamint alligator lizards (Elgaria panamintina) are a rare lizard species endemic to Inyo County, California. Little is known about the species and it is thought to be of conservation concern. Monitoring efforts for rare species requires conservative . . .

Ammophila arenaria was introduced to North America in 1868 for sand stabilization, and since its introduction it has invaded most of the dune ecosystems of the Pacific coast of North America. The 222 ha dune ecosystem at Gold Bluffs Beach within Prair . . .

Perennial grain crops are presently offered as a solution to current agricultural problems such as soil erosion, excessive water use, and water quality degradation while supporting ecosystem services. A longer growing season allows for a substantial r . . .

Deviations from symmetrical growth in bilateral characters of an organism are referred to as bilateral asymmetries and can be found in three forms: 1) anti-symmetry (AS), 2) fluctuating asymmetry (FA), and 3) directional asymmetry (DA). In this study . . .

Glutamate (Glu) is an important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It binds to ionotropic Glu receptors located in the postsynaptic membrane and allows calcium into the cell. Abnormally high levels of Glu can induce excitotoxicity (seizure), wh . . .

Many rare and threatened California plant species are endemic to ultramafic serpentine soils. Understanding what specifically makes these species rare is of high value to conservation and management efforts statewide. While there is no one definition . . .

Northern Saw-Whet Owls (NSWO, Aegolius acadicus), one of the smallest owls in North America, migrate in large numbers every fall from higher latitudes and elevation to overwinter at both lower latitude and elevation. While extensive efforts have been . . .

Freshwater turtles worldwide are declining due to a variety of human caused impacts. The Western Pond Turtle (Emys marmorata) is native to the pacific coast of the North America and is also in decline. Many Western Pond Turtles live in human-modified . . .

In the pursuit of producing cleaner fuels, plant lignocellulose is a source of fermentable sugars that don’t compete with food production. Conversion of plant components, or lignocellulose, into biofuels typically requires hot and acidic pre-treatment . . .