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  Evaluating the Effect of Binghamton University Students on Broome County Local Elections

  Andrea Shirkey

  The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effect of Binghamton University students on Broome County local elections and test the argument that students voting in local elections detracts from the needs of local residents. Research was conducted by the distribution of surveys to Binghamton University students. Five locals were interviewed to report their standpoint to analyze the argument’s impact of college students on local elections. The consensus was that locals do not significantly agree with the argument because it’s not an issue in Broome County. The data presented an unexpected result, a portion of students agreed with the argument, they believed it wasn’t their place to vote in Broome County elections. The data exhibited no significant number of students participating in Broome County local elections. This research concludes that the statement that Binghamton University students voting in local elections detracts from the needs of local residents is invalid.

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  Different Populations Perspective of Sexual Health and Reproductive Care Accessibility

  Mansi Sinha

  The purpose of this study is to understand the difference between various populations' perspectives of their access to reproductive and sexual healthcare. According to prior research, people of color face higher levels of medical bias and healthcare inequity, which can contribute to a more negative perspective towards receiving medical care, thus decreasing accessibility. Therefore it is important to investigate whether there is a difference in different populations perspectives of sexual and reproductive care accessibility in order to understand how to create equitable accessible sexual and reproductive care for all. This study will use a qualitative and quantitative survey in order to investigate this research question. My sample population will include everyone over the age of 18 and will look at gender and race/ethnicity based trends. The data and trends seen will be used to expand equitable access to reproductive and sexual healthcare resources across the community and campus.

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  Campus Café Consumer Trends

  Rob Sleight

  This study explores the magnitude of common consumer trends on Binghamton University’s Campus among its students. The consumer trends that will be studied replicate those of previous national and local scale studies. Some of these trends represent geographical phenomenon of location theory and spatial distribution, while others represent sociological and phycological phenomena such as mood dependance, brand, and habit. This project observes the relationship between these trends and the continually rising prices of purchases at these respective cafes through correlation tests. The project aims to raise the question of whether these price increases are correlated with specific trends occurring at these cafes, or if it is a matter of inflation and labor demands.

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  Combating Jurisdictonal Barriers That Cause Susceptibility of Native American Women to Rape

  Heidi Strawgate

  Native American women are twice as likely to be raped than women of other races and ethnicities in the United States. My research seeks to answer: (1) why the rates are so high, (2) what has been done to address this, and (3) what we can do now and in the future to provide a solution that will lower this susceptibility. To accomplish this, I evaluate legal cases such as Oliphant V Susquamish, interviews of women including but not limited to Sarah Deer and Lisa Brunner, who share their personal stories and are prominent figures in the movement to redress this issue, and research findings of health and government agencies. In addition, I consult secondary scholarship and media coverage. Preliminary research pins the “jurisdictional maze”, a term for the complex jurisdiction system when handling assault cases of plaintiffs who are Native American as a primary cause for the high rate. Writing on this topic and answering these questions will be beneficial as it will provide measures to prevent the high rates and better access for women to protection of their sexual health.

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  The Fossils of Binghamton University

  Albert Tan

  During the Devonian Period (419 to 358 Mya), most of the North American continent including New York State would have been covered by a warm, shallow sea where marine life flourished. Binghamton's paleontological/geological past is relatively unknown to those outside of the environmental science or geology sphere. This project seeks to display our fascinating past, encourage others to explore the field of geology and environmental science and provide insight on fossil hunting as a hobby. Within the boundaries of Binghamton University: The Nature Preserve, Fuller Hollow Creek, Stair Park, and Nuthatch Hollow contain fossils of marine organisms, tree debris and trace fossils such as burrows. Through using simple tools such as a hammer/geologist hammer, chisel, or just your bare hands - anyone can find themselves a cool piece of history and learn about Binghamton's geological/paleontological past.

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  The Influence of Colored Light on Mexican Jumping Bean Larva (Laspeyresia saltitans) Activity

  Amber Tuske, Faith Summers, Andrés Rojo, Annie Wong, and Cassandra Puglisi

  The Mexican jumping bean larva, Laspeyresia saltitans, is a moth larva that lives in the seeds of a fern, Sebastiana pavoniana, found throughout deserts in Mexico. Mexican jumping bean larvae are known to jump to avoid the intense heat and sunlight of their environment, but little is known about the specific cues that induce this behavior. We analyzed how different wavelengths of light affected the activity of the jumping bean larvae through exposure to red, green, purple and white light. Larval movement from their original position was measured, and we determined the greatest displacement occurred under red light, and the least activity under purple light, highlighting a mechanism to explain locomotion. As Mexican jumping beans and other insects are exposed to different wavelengths of light throughout the day in their natural habitat, this study helps provide insight on how the composition of sunlight may affect insect activity and behavior.

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  Effects of Food Insecurity on Perceived Stress Among Undergraduate University Students

  Alexis Valerius, Ushima Chowdhury, Sabrina Bubis, Katerina Nagorny, Lexi Rosenberg, and Megan Welch

  Food insecurity is a rising issue among college students. The added pressure and worry over food availability impacts students’ mindset and their perception of stress. However, research investigating this relationship is limited. To address this gap, an anonymous online survey was distributed via social media platforms to adults 18 years and older. The survey included demographic questions, the Food Mood Questionnaire, and the Perceived Stress Scale. A total of 997 people completed the survey, including 705 females, 246 males, and 46 others. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient in SPSS Version 25.0. A significant positive correlation was found between food insecurity and perceived stress (p<0.01). Significant negative correlations between the consumption of dark green leafy vegetables and fruit with perceived stress (p<0.01) were also found. This suggests that students experiencing food insecurity may consume less nutritious foods and perceive themselves as more stressed.

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  Downregulation of MYC and KRAS modulates Ovarian Cancer Cell growth

  Janelle Vasquez

  Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Aggressive ovarian cancer frequently has upregulation of two cancer proteins: KRAS and MYC. It is unknown if decreasing these proteins will affect ovarian cancer cell growth or modulate the efficacy of common chemotherapies. To address this gap in knowledge, we created a TET-ON/siRNA system where we could titrate the knocking down of each oncogene. We examined the effect of titrating the siRNA on oncogene expression and identified that 25 microgram/mL of tetracycline decreased the target oncogene expression. We also examined the effect of a tetracycline titration, and subsequently oncogene expression, on 2D and 3D cell growth. We found that knocking down the oncogenes modulated the cancer cell growth in a 3D, but not 2D, cancer cell model. With this information, cancer patients following certain criteria can benefit from this gene therapy to improve chemotherapy outcomes.

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  State-Sponsored Disinformation about Uyghurs: Euphemism as Genocide Denial

  Greg Voce

  My research uncovers the use of euphemism by the Chinese government to spread false narratives and deny allegations of human rights abuses and genocidal acts against the Uyghur ethnic minority. Euphemistic names for policies like "vocational training centers" and "poverty alleviation" are rooted in information campaigns that deceitfully frame Chinese actions as positive and beneficent. Likewise, the Chinese government labels Uyghurs as terrorists, harmfully and falsely characterizing an entire ethnicity as criminal. My analysis contributes to the field of Disinformation Studies by highlighting the specific function of the device, euphemism, as an intentionally false distortion of narrative that causes significant harm while also bridging the gap between the study of genocide and the disinformation narratives that falsely justify it.

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  The Effects of Simple and Complex Carbohydrates on Mood

  Carolina Weiss, Annie Wong, Hayes (Yak Hei) Wong, Emily Ye, and Dylan Chang

  Carbohydrates can be differentiated into two categories, simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Our study looks at the effects of simple versus complex carbohydrates on mood. An anonymous online survey was administered through various social media platforms, such as GroupMe, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as sent to friends and family. The survey included basic demographics questions and questions on the frequency of food consumption, dietary patterns in relation to specific food groups, and mood. Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze data in SPSS version 25.0. Our results suggest there is an association between a positive mood and consumption of complex carbohydrates, with less consumption of simple carbohydrates. Higher levels of mood were found to be associated with healthier food groups and a less processed diet.

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  Intersection of Transgenderism and Disinformation

  William Weiss

  Transgender Studies and Disinformation Studies are separate, emerging fields of scholarly inquiry. While disinformation about trans people is widespread and harmful, the two fields have not been extensively studied as intersecting realities, in part because they are so new. My research draws on theories and definitions of disinformation to analyze transphobic legal and political developments in the United States from 2020 to 2023. Specifically, I focus on trans panic laws to articulate the fundamental relationship between gender and accepted notions of common knowledge. Because large sections of the American population remain naive about non-binary genders, disinformation about trans people can be harnessed to create political power that can then be used to effect policy changes that have implications beyond the trans community. By articulating the intersection of transgender studies and disinformation, I contribute to broader discussions about gendered disinformation while also theorizing recent transphobic legal and political developments.

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  Microplastics Reduce Earthworm (Eisenia fetida) Biomass and Impact Behavior

  Meisi Williams, Anthony Calder, Anna Brun, Gavin Code, Vashti Devi B. Mahadeo, and Weixing Zhu

  This study aims to understand the impacts of common anthropogenic pollutants on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and soil health. Earthworms were exposed to high microplastics and low microplastics, high and low salinity, imidacloprid pesticide, and combinations of salinity and pesticide. After 28 days, earthworms reared in different concentrations of microplastics showed significant reduction in biomass. The individual escape assay demonstrated that microplastics significantly reduced the earthworms’ ability to escape the induced stressor. We ran a pilot study for avoidance with the varying treatments and found that earthworms preferred the microplastics and high salt and pesticide environments. We found no effects on soil pH but did observe significant differences in conductivity. Earthworms are essential for soil ecosystems with functions of burrowing and decomposition, therefore further research should be conducted to explore effects of anthropogenic pollutants on their ecology.

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  Binghamton University's Effect on Housing Insecurity in Binghamton

  Lauren Wilner

  The influx of Binghamton University students moving into the Binghamton area has led to a housing problem. Landlords make the price of housing expensive because the students can afford it, but the non-students that live in Binghamton cannot afford it and struggle to afford housing. This study collected data through interviews with a representative of NoMa, the Stakeholders of Broome County, and the Binghamton Students’ Tenant Union. I made a survey that students living off-campus can fill out about their experience living downtown. I also used data collected by ResLife about student housing. I used research from scholarly articles about the housing crisis in Binghamton and Binghamton University’s impact on the housing crisis. I found that Binghamton University student’s living downtown are directly contributing to the housing crisis in Binghamton and that the amount of student’s living downtown has to be limited by the city of Binghamton and Binghamton University.

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  Relationships between Impostorism, Perceived Parental Support, and Gender in First-Generation Undergraduate Students

  Julianna Wroblewski and Isabella Marcel

  Impostorism is characterized by feelings of self-doubt and phoniness regarding one’s abilities and achievements, despite one’s history of success. Previous research has demonstrated a link between impostorism and perceived parental support (PPS), such that higher degrees of parental care were associated with lower imposter feelings. Our research examined the relationship between impostorism and PPS among first-generation college students (FGCS), a population shown to be more vulnerable to impostorism. Additionally, we investigated whether gender moderates the link between impostorism and PPS. A total of 503 FGCS at Binghamton University were included in the study. The results revealed a significant negative correlation between impostorism and PPS, such that students perceiving higher levels of parental support were associated with lower levels of impostorism. Additionally, the results revealed that the relationship between impostorism and PPS did not differ as a function of gender. Practical and theoretical implications of our findings will be discussed.

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  How did the Floods of 2011 Affect Areas south of Vestal Parkway and Riverside Drive Housing Costs?

  Jason Wu

  Binghamton is built in a floodplain, and in 2011 floods struck and hundreds of people were displaced. These floods have forced the issue of home security. Previous studies have noted the existence and growing need for affordable housing in Binghamton, yet they touch only briefly upon the effects that the floods have had. Government studies have lacked the connection between the floods and home security. The study looks directly at Riverside Drive and Vestal Parkway East, two flood areas without any further development. Looking through government statistics, speaking with non-profits, and analyzing data, there is a clear and present link between the housing crisis and the floods that happened. There are attempts of flood mitigation but they are not happening quickly enough to see to the housing crisis. The residents are long, but their struggle to find housing is not unique to them, as the flooding was.

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  Cytotoxicity of Commercial Tattoo Inks

  Michael Xiao, Alyssa Libonati, and Kelli Moseman

  Though tattooing dates back millennia, modern tattooing makes use of molecular pigments that have only been incorporated into tattooing in the last 50 years or so. Coupled with the dramatic increase in the popularity of tattooing, it is critical to understand possible adverse effects of injecting pigments into human skin. We used various pigments, which were incorporated into tattoo ink formulation; exposed BJ human dermal fibroblasts to determine their possible toxic effects. Pigments Red254, Red170, Violet23, Orange13, Yellow74, Blue15, Green7, and Carbon-black were prepared as suspension in cell culture media and cells were exposed to varying concentrations of pigments. The toxicity of each pigment was confirmed through Neutral Red Viability assay and Alamar Blue metabolic activity assay with analysis upwards of 72 hours. The toxicological evaluation indicated significant cytotoxicity for pigments containing azo-compound (PY74, PR170), Carbon black was found to have the least level of toxicity in this vitro exposure.

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  The Effects of Chemical Water Contamination on Public Health

  Jubilation Yeh

  Water in the greater Binghamton area has a history of chemical contamination. One of the most infamous events—the International Business Machines Corporation chemical spill in 1979—is still affecting residents despite the water being considered safe by state standards. Effects as threatening as a rise in the occurrence of rare cancers have been observed. Is the water we use and drink truly safe? Focusing on local experiences, I will be conducting a survey to gain insight into personally observed effects as well as public awareness to draw connections between reported effects of respondents to recorded effects in areas such as Flint, Michigan and Love Canal. The target population is people 18 and up who live in the Binghamton area (both part-time and long-time). Following this, I will be determining the effects of chemical water contamination on the greater Binghamton area’s public health. Health hazards lie in the water that many people are unaware of, and this project aims to spread awareness of that.

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  NYC Goes Right: Socioeconomic Drivers for Urban January 6th Participants

  Rui Zheng

  Out of the 64 Capitol Hill insurrectionists arrested from New York State, 17 were from New York City. This significant composition of urban insurrectionists contrasts with commonly held perceptions of the American far-right: poor, white, and rural. Thus, this shift comes as a surprise. What factors radicalize urban residents to the point of attempting to overthrow the U.S. government? From previous studies, it has been found that urban participants of far-right political violence tend to reside in impoverished communities prior to active participation. My study investigates the changes in racial, gender, and economic conditions within the communities of the NYC insurrectionists from the year of Donald Trump’s election, 2016, to 2020 that indicate alignment with far-right ideology formation. Through the analysis of socioeconomic data, answers will be revealed as to the reason for this demographic shift in participants of far-right political violence.

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  Directed Energy Deposition of SS 316L/SiC Composites Using Coincident and Coaxial Wire-Powder Feeding

  Yue Zhou

  The wire-powder fed directed energy deposition (WP-DED) process enables the fabrication of metal matrix composites (MMCs) with a high deposition efficiency. Lateral wire-powder feeding as well as lateral wire and coaxial powder feeding are two existing methods for WP-DED of MMCs. However, the lateral filler injection limits the fabrication of three-dimensional parts with complex geometry. In this study, we applied the coaxial wire-powder fed DED (CWP-DED) to fabricate the SS 316L/SiC parts with different SiC weight fractions. The effects of SiC content on defects and microstructure of as-built parts were investigated. Three types of interior defects including pores, inclusions, and cracks were observed in as-built samples fabricated with high SiC content. With an increase in SiC content, the grains were refined by dissolved nano-scale SiC particles and more γ-(FeCrNi) phases transformed