19 posts · 6,481 views
This blog documents Arielle's experience as a zoology undergrad conducting her own original research on the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) while completing her degree and going through the grad school application process. This blog also covers interesting new scientific research and general science topics.
Arielle D. Ross
19 posts
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- November 16, 2012
- 10:09 AM
- 135 views
Sweaty Criminals Beware
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Sweaty Criminals BewareA new way to lift fingerprints left behind by sweat-laden paws. Continue reading →Salamander Hours - A Science Blog with a Mighty Name... Read more »
Jaber, N., Lesniewski, A., Gabizon, H., Shenawi, S., Mandler, D., & Almog, J. (2012) Visualization of Latent Fingermarks by Nanotechnology: Reversed Development on Paper-A Remedy to the Variation in Sweat Composition. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. DOI: 10.1002/anie.201205259
- November 1, 2012
- 05:24 PM
- 138 views
Investigate Everything: Driver Sleepiness Countermeasures
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Investigate Everything: Driver Sleepiness CountermeasuresIf you're one of those drivers that swears by opening a window and listening to music in order to stay awake - think again. Continue reading →Salamander Hours - A Science Blog with A Mighty Name...... Read more »
SCHWARZ, J., INGRE, M., FORS, C., ANUND, A., KECKLUND, G., TAILLARD, J., PHILIP, P., & ÅKERSTEDT, T. (2012) In-car countermeasures open window and music revisited on the real road: popular but hardly effective against driver sleepiness. Journal of Sleep Research, 21(5), 595-599. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2012.01009.x
- July 18, 2012
- 08:35 PM
- 285 views
Coach was Right – Pain Really is All in Your Head
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Coach was Right – Pain Really is All in Your HeadScientists discover that heightened levels of communication between different parts of the brain increase your chances of developing chronic pain after an injury. Whether you are a construction worker, a nurse, or an accountant, back pain is something to … Continue reading →Salamander Hours - There is No Right Way to Process the World, But There is Always Enough Room for a Little Science... Read more »
Baliki MN, Petre B, Torbey S, Herrmann KM, Huang L, Schnitzer TJ, Fields HL, & Apkarian AV. (2012) Corticostriatal functional connectivity predicts transition to chronic back pain. Nature neuroscience. PMID: 22751038
- June 21, 2012
- 10:04 AM
- 224 views
Investigate Everything: The Dangers of Walking while Texting
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Investigate Everything: The Dangers of Walking while TextingApplied Cognitive Psychology recently published a study on one of the newest ways we, as humans, have found of obstructing traffic – walking while texting (WwT). I, myself, have been guilty of WwT, but I’ve recently resolved to curb my … Continue reading →Salamander Hours - Watching the Earth Rotate.... Read more »
Lopresti-Goodman, S. M., Rivera, A., & Dressel, C. (2012) Practicing Safe Text: the Impact of Texting on Walking Behavior. Appl. Cognit. Psychol. DOI: 10.1002/acp.2846
- June 9, 2012
- 11:24 AM
- 261 views
Traffic Pollution makes Pollen more Allergenic
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Traffic Pollution makes Pollen more AllergenicA field experiment conducted by scientists from the University of Milano-Bicocca has demonstrated that high levels of car pollution causes Ragweed pollen (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) to be more allergenic. Photo credit: Alfi007 This has the inconvenient and worrisome effect of … Continue reading →Salamander Hours - Understanding How Scientists Approach the World... Read more »
Ghiani, A., Aina, R., Asero, R., Bellotto, E., & Citterio, S. (2012) Ragweed pollen collected along high-traffic roads shows a higher allergenicity than pollen sampled in vegetated areas. Allergy, 67(7), 887-894. DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2012.02846.x
- March 22, 2012
- 08:08 AM
- 320 views
Self-Diagnosis Affected by Online Symptom List Structure
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Self-Diagnosis Affected by Online Symptom List StructureThe order in which symptoms are listed on online health websites affects the outcome of self-diagnosis. A friend calls you up in a panic. She tells you that she has contracted a rare disease that you had never heard of … Continue reading →Salamander Hours - When She's Not Keeping Salamander Hours in the Lab, She Writes About Science.... Read more »
Kwan, V., Wojcik, S., Miron-shatz, T., Votruba, A., & Olivola, C. (2012) Effects of Symptom Presentation Order on Perceived Disease Risk. Psychological Science. DOI: 10.1177/0956797611432177
- March 15, 2012
- 10:38 AM
- 466 views
Cycling Putting Women’s Genital Sensation at Risk
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Cycling Putting Women’s Genital Sensation at RiskScientists demonstrate that low handlebars contribute to a decrease in women’s genital sensation. It’s that time of year again: bike enthusiasts everywhere are itching to roll up their right pant leg and get their tires pumped. As a person who … Continue reading →Salamander Hours - When She's Not Keeping Salamander Hours in the Lab, She Writes About Science.... Read more »
Partin, S., Connell, K., Schrader, S., LaCombe, J., Lowe, B., Sweeney, A., Reutman, S., Wang, A., Toennis, C., Melman, A.... (2012) The Bar Sinister: Does Handlebar Level Damage the Pelvic Floor in Female Cyclists?. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02680.x
- March 8, 2012
- 12:36 PM
- 283 views
Dissociating Brain Waves from Actions: Prosthetics
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Dissociating Brain Waves from Actions: ProstheticsScientists demonstrate that it is possible to dissociate brain waves from actions, possibly identifying a new way to operate prosthetics. Roald Dahl’s Matilda was a favorite book of mine as a child, and this, long before the movie was released … Continue reading →Salamander Hours - When She's Not Keeping Salamander Hours in the Lab, She Writes About Science.... Read more »
Koralek, A., Jin, X., Long II, J., Costa, R., & Carmena, J. (2012) Corticostriatal plasticity is necessary for learning intentional neuroprosthetic skills. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/nature10845
- March 5, 2012
- 05:28 PM
- 260 views
Low Temperatures Accentuate the Physical Differences between the Sexes
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Low Temperatures Accentuate the Physical Differences between the SexesObvious Effects of Cold Temperatures on Male Anatomy Aside, Low Temperatures Accentuate, rather than Attenuate, the Physical Differences between the Women and Men. It is no secret that men and women’s bodies are different, and that this goes beyond sexual … Continue reading →Salamander Hours - When She's Not Keeping Salamander Hours in the Lab, She Writes About Science.... Read more »
Wells, J. (2012) Sexual dimorphism in body composition across human populations: Associations with climate and proxies for short- and long-term energy supply. American Journal of Human Biology. DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22223
- February 18, 2012
- 02:24 AM
- 357 views
Shark Skin still Outperforming Your Swimsuit
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Shark Skin still Outperforming Your SwimsuitScientists disprove claims that olympians’ swimsuits reduce drag thanks to shark skin-mimicking technology A lot of fanfare was made at the Beijing Olympics back in 2008, when Micheal Phelps swam his way into the record books by winning 8 gold … Continue reading →Salamander Hours - A fourth year zoology student's account of her experience on the research frontlines... Read more »
Oeffner, J., & Lauder, G. (2012) The hydrodynamic function of shark skin and two biomimetic applications. Journal of Experimental Biology, 215(5), 785-795. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.063040
- February 8, 2012
- 10:12 AM
- 411 views
Is Medical Reporting Making the Grade?
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
The quality of scientific reporting, especially of medical reporting, is of great import to the public, but that is only one reason among many to care about media coverage quality. False or sub-quality reporting can lead to inaccurate beliefs, … Continue reading →... Read more »
Schwartz, L., Woloshin, S., Andrews, A., & Stukel, T. (2012) Influence of medical journal press releases on the quality of associated newspaper coverage: retrospective cohort study. BMJ, 344(jan27 1). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.d8164
- January 27, 2012
- 01:50 PM
- 410 views
Forensics to the Rescue: Prosecuting Endangered Snake Poachers
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
This week, I was lucky enough to handle a few live Ontario snakes during my herpetology course. This was quite a treat for me because, for as long as I can remember, I have held a fierce fascination for all … Continue reading →... Read more »
Singh, C., Gaur, A., Sreenivas, A., & Singh, L. (2012) Species Identification from Dried Snake Venom*. Journal of Forensic Sciences. DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.02049.x
- January 17, 2012
- 07:06 PM
- 431 views
The G-Spot: Myth or Anatomical Mystery? – A Review
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Most women believe in the existence of the G-spot, a female erogenous zone thought to be located in the anterior wall of the vagina. The question as to whether this zone actually exists as a distinct anatomical entity remains controversial, … Continue reading →... Read more »
Kilchevsky, A., Vardi, Y., Lowenstein, L., & Gruenwald, I. (2012) Is the Female G-Spot Truly a Distinct Anatomic Entity?. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02623.x
- December 31, 2011
- 01:19 PM
- 349 views
New Year’s Special: How Soon is Too Soon for an Alcohol Breath Test?
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
As I mentioned in the latest “Top 3 Science links” post, for most of North America, New Year’s Eve signifies two things: a fresh start and/or alcohol. Sadly, the latter means that some of us will make bad decisions tonight, … Continue reading →... Read more »
Sterling, K. (2011) The Rate of Dissipation of Mouth Alcohol in Alcohol Positive Subjects. Journal of Forensic Sciences. DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.02023.x
- December 21, 2011
- 09:16 PM
- 483 views
The 27 Club: Are Famous 27-Year-Old Musicians at Risk?
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
When Amy Winehouse’s death was reported in July of 2011, conspiracy theorists immediately declared that her talent and her age, 27, had doomed her to being yet another member of the “27 club”, a club composed of famous musicians who all … Continue reading →... Read more »
Wolkewitz, M., Allignol, A., Graves, N., & Barnett, A. (2011) Is 27 really a dangerous age for famous musicians? Retrospective cohort study. BMJ, 343(dec20 1). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.d7799
- December 19, 2011
- 12:34 PM
- 450 views
What’s in a Crab Stick? – Identifying the Fish in Your Food
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
I had a lot of great experiences during my first year of university, even in my introductory biology classes. For example, I can remember listening to Dr. Steven Newmaster, a taxonomist who was hooked on plants, recount a story about going to a … Continue reading →... Read more »
Le Fresne, S., Popova, M., Le Vacon, F., & Carton, T. (2011) Application of Denaturing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC) for the Identification of Fish: A New Way To Determine the Composition of Processed Food Containing Multiple Species. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59(23), 12302-12308. DOI: 10.1021/jf2030242
- December 7, 2011
- 08:52 AM
- 479 views
Gifts: It’s Not About What You Give but Who You Are Giving To
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
This holiday season, in addition to giving the usual Christmas gifts to loved ones, I will be participating in two gift exchanges: one with a small group of close friends and one with all the cousins on my mother’s side … Continue reading →... Read more »
Parsons, A., Ballantine, P., & Kennedy, A. (2011) Gift exchange: benefits sought by the recipient. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 31(7/8), 411-423. DOI: 10.1108/01443331111149851
Liao, Shuling, & Yu-Huang, Huang. (2006) The Effects of Individual and Joint Gift Giving on Receipt Emotions. Journal of American Academy of Business, Cambridge, 10(1), 160. info:/
- December 4, 2011
- 03:37 PM
- 406 views
How Much Water Goes Into Your Mug?
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
I didn’t always know what a first flush tea was. Although I grew up in a family of tea drinkers, I wasn’t aware of the plethora of different types of tea one can find in the local tea shop until … Continue reading →... Read more »
Chapagain, A., & Hoekstra, A. (2007) The water footprint of coffee and tea consumption in the Netherlands. Ecological Economics, 64(1), 109-118. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2007.02.022
- November 27, 2011
- 09:44 PM
- 333 views
Bumbling Fools
by Arielle D. Ross in Salamander Hours
Whether it be in a romantic comedy or a soda pop commercial, men are often portrayed as bumbling fools whenever a woman is introduced. Obviously, these portrayals of men are far from accurate, but is there some glimmer of truth … Continue reading →... Read more »
Nauts, S., Metzmacher, M., Verwijmeren, T., Rommeswinkel, V., & Karremans, J. (2011) The Mere Anticipation of an Interaction with a Woman Can Impair Men’s Cognitive Performance. Archives of Sexual Behavior. DOI: 10.1007/s10508-011-9860-z
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