I helped write a textbook!

The textbook is designed specifically for Kansas State's Biology 198 Principles of Biology course. The course is taught using the studio approach and based on active learning. Typical enrollment approaches 1,500 students a year. The textbook is divided into 7 learning modules and unusually begins with the big picture of ecology and then steps back to cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, and energetics before ending with whole-organism plant and animal modules.

Study Finds Climate Change May Dramatically Reduce Wheat Production

Recent research at Kansas State University finds that in the coming decades at least 25% of the world's wheat production will be lost to extreme weather from climate change, if no adaptive measures are taken. Based on the 2012-2013 global wheat harvest of 701 million tons, the resulting temperature increase could result in 42 million tons less produced wheat. Crop ecophysiologists currently project a 6% decline in wheat production for each degree Celsius the temperature rises.

Paralyzing algae is killing manatees at record pace in Florida

Florida wildlife officials report that 149 of the gentle giants have been killed by red tide this year in just two and a half months, making it almost certain that the state will pass the record of 151, set in 1996.

Kansas State University biologist seeks to understand the world's flora

Since the time of Darwin, biologists have sought to understand the evolution of plant species. Joseph Craine, grassland ecologist and research assistant professor of biology at Kansas State University, publishes "Resource Strategies of Wild Plants" in his ongoing work to understand how ecological forces have shaped the world's flora.

Plant diversity is key to maintaining productive vegetation

Plant diversity yields higher productivity in prairie and forest stands. Every additional species in a plot contributed to an increase in soil fertility and biomass production over a 14-year period.

While the research study used long-lived prairie plants, it also is a model system for all vegetation, whether prairie, forest, or row crop.

How to use vegetables as mood lighting

Pickle, the perfect condiment and accent light! Some cool physics explains how this humble side-dish also conducts electrons and generates light.

Effects of environmental toxicants reach down through generations

A Washington State University researcher has shown that a variety of chemicals have negative effects on the exposed animal and the next 3 generations of its offspring. That's right, the great-grandchildren still are affected.

While the lettering of the DNA sequence is unchanged, modifications to the nucleic acid letters (nucleotides) affect how the gene is turned on or off.