Here we demonstrate how data from the clinical pulmonary function lab can help students learn about the principle of airway-parenchymal interdependence. We examined the relationship between airway conductance (Gaw) and lung volume (thoracic gas volume, TGV) in 48 patients: 17 healthy; 20 with emphysema, expected to have reduced airway-parenchymal…

It may be asserted that there is no more effective deterrent to crime than the certainty of detection. Equally true is that there is no surer way to establishing identity than by fingerprints. The detection of fingerprints at the scene of crime is therefore one of the most powerful tools available in casework investigations. However, if the crime…

This article describes an enrichment and extension of a published applied chemistry experiment involving the use of distilled fragrant compounds of natural plants to prepare facial toner. The original protocol failed to consider quality evaluation of the self-prepared facial toner. Herein, an additional experimental section is included for…

Two misconceptions about the mechanism of image formation in the human eye are common among students and even in textbooks and other teaching materials. The first attributes all refraction to the eye lens; the second treats the eye as a pinhole camera. To reduce these persistent conceptions of students, a series of simple experiments is presented…

We present a novel method for demonstrating the physical principles of ultrasound imaging at a level suitable for educational programmes up to the university level, using a simple mechanical model that is very inexpensive and accessible to a broad variety of educational institutions. The method revolves around the use of one or two steel springs…

Designing a relevant and engaging curriculum for biochemistry undergraduates can be challenging for topics which are at the periphery of the subject. We have used the framework of context-based learning as a means of assessing understanding of quantum theory in a group of students in their junior year. Our context, the role of retinol in skincare,…

Within the eukaryotic cell, the actin cytoskeleton is a crucial structural framework that maintains cellular form, regulates cell movement and division, and facilitates the internal transportation of proteins and organelles. External cues induce alterations in the actin cytoskeleton primarily through the activation of Rho GTPases, which then bind…

A lot of new science has been inspired by common phenomena and even by old traditions practiced in our daily lives. Eventually, after deep exploration, this may engender unexpected new technologies. In this paper, inspired by the wearing of a traditional cloth called a "sarong," by the community in South East Asian countries and others,…

Digestion is a fundamentally important process for an individual's life. However, the physical process of digestion is hidden inside the body, making it challenging to understand and a particularly difficult topic for students to learn in the classroom. Traditional approaches to teaching body processes include a mixture of textbook teaching and…

Embalming fixatives such as formaldehyde and phenol have been associated with occupational health hazards. While anatomists aim at replacing these chemicals, this seems presently unfeasible in particular for formaldehyde. Furthermore, fixation protocols usually require well-equipped facilities with highly experienced staff to achieve good fixation…

Electron spin resonance (ESR) or electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is an incisive technique for the characterization of paramagnetic centers in inorganic, bioinorganic, and organic molecules and materials. These measurements are enabled with the help of paramagnetic species, such as organic free radicals and ions, electronically…

Teaching labs at the undergraduate level poses unique challenges to a school system forced online by COVID-19. We adapted physiology laboratories typically taught in-person to an online-only format, allowing students to measure personal health data alone. Students used available technology and low-cost devices for measuring respiratory and…

The article substantiates the necessity of studying the peculiarities of color vision of human in the course "Biophysics" that have been integrated into many types of higher education institutions. It describes the experience of teaching this discipline in a pedagogical higher education institution. The article presents a brief review of…

Thanks to their sensors and the large number of apps available, smartphones can be used as a useful tool to carry out new laboratory experiments in physics. Such devices, very popular among young people, may be a successful approach to improve students' interest in the subject, particularly in a medical context. In addition to their small camera,…

Comfort whilst camping overnight during outdoor pursuits is based on pain free and warm sleeping arrangements and is highly dependent on the performance of the sleeping bag and sleeping mat. In adventurous and challenging situations, performance can contribute to safety and expedition success. From the manufacturer's point of view, thermal…