Science Brewing in the Southwest
A Look Back at the 2018 Regional Meetings
Scientific discovery isn't confined to glittering international conferences; it often starts locally, where collaboration and innovation ignite future breakthroughs.
A unique convergence of scientific minds occurred across the American Southwest in 2018. From the chemistry of drug discovery to the biomechanics of sidewinder rattlesnakes, researchers gathered at various regional meetings to share groundbreaking work. These conferences, though smaller in scale, are powerhouses for innovation, fostering collaboration and showcasing the research that shapes our understanding of the world. This article explores the vibrant scientific activity that defined these gatherings, highlighting key discoveries and the fascinating experiments presented.
The Meeting of Minds: Hubs of Scientific Exchange
The year 2018 saw several major regional scientific conferences in the Southwest, each catering to a specific field but united by a common goal: the sharing of new knowledge.
Cal State San Marcos • Nov 10, 2018
Plenary: "Biodesign: Using Diversity to Understand Nature" by Dr. Robert J. Full (UC Berkeley) 8
- Lizard immune function and dehydration
- Locomotion of Pacific hagfish
- Urban ecology and wildlife adaptation
Decoding Nature's Secrets: Key Research Presented
The research presented at these meetings offered a snapshot of cutting-edge science. At the ACS SWRM, work in nanotechnology and medicinal chemistry took center stage, with researchers discussing the design of new materials and drugs at the molecular level 1 . Meanwhile, the scene at the SWOB meeting was dominated by studies in ecology, evolution, and functional morphology.
Bree Putman (Natural History Museum of LA County) presented on "Anthropophobia and lizard responses to urbanization in Southern California", revealing how local lizard populations were behaviorally adapting to city life 8 .
George Brusch (Arizona State University) took a "mechanistic approach to understanding the relationship between dehydration and enhanced immune function" in reptiles, probing the complex physiological trade-offs animals face in arid environments 8 .
These studies highlight how organismal biologists are working to understand the pressing issues of wildlife conservation and animal physiology in a changing world.
A Deep Dive into Rattlesnake Navigation
One of the most intriguing presentations at the SWOB meeting was led by Hannes Schraft of San Diego State University, titled "Sensory basis of rattlesnake navigation" 8 . This research delves into the mysterious ability of rattlesnakes to traverse vast, featureless deserts and return to their home dens with remarkable precision.
The Methodology: Unraveling a Sensory Mystery
For decades, scientists have questioned how rattlesnakes perform these long-distance navigational feats. The experiment conducted by Schraft and his colleagues sought to test which sensory cues are critical for this homing behavior.
Capture and Displacement
Several wild rattlesnakes were captured from their known home dens and transported to a release site approximately 200 meters away—a distance well outside their normal roaming range.
Sensory Manipulation
The snakes were divided into groups and subjected to different sensory impairments before release:
- One group had magnetic sensors disrupted by attaching small magnets to their heads.
- Another group had their olfactory (smell) senses blocked.
- A control group was released without any sensory impairment.
Tracking and Data Collection
All snakes were fitted with radio transmitters. The researchers then meticulously tracked their movements, recording the paths they took and noting whether they successfully returned to their home den.
Results and Analysis: Olfaction Leads the Way
The results were clear. The snakes with disrupted magnetic senses found their way home just as efficiently as the control group. In contrast, the snakes whose olfactory senses were blocked became disoriented and failed to return to their dens. This strongly suggests that rattlesnakes do not rely on a magnetic sense for navigation, a mechanism used by animals like migratory birds. Instead, they depend on olfactory cues—effectively "smelling" their way home 8 .
This discovery is scientifically important because it provides concrete evidence for a long-debated theory. It demonstrates that these animals create and follow a scent-based mental map of their environment. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for wildlife management and conservation efforts, especially as habitats become increasingly fragmented.
The Scientist's Toolkit: Research Reagents and Materials
The research presented at these meetings, particularly the rattlesnake study, relies on a specific set of tools and materials. Below is a breakdown of some key "research reagent solutions" essential for this type of field biology.
| Research Tool | Function in the Experiment | Example Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Transmitters | Small devices attached to the animal to allow researchers to track its movements from a distance without disruption. | Tracking |
| Olfactory Blocking Agents | Safe, temporary substances used to inhibit the animal's ability to detect scent cues, thereby testing the importance of smell. | Sensory Manipulation |
| GPS Receivers & Antennas | Used by researchers to precisely log the location coordinates of the tracked animal at regular intervals. | Data Collection |
| Data Logging Software | Specialized computer programs for storing, mapping, and analyzing the large datasets of movement paths generated by tracking. | Analysis |
The Ripple Effect of Regional Research
The 2018 Southwest regional meetings were far more than just academic checkpoints. They were vibrant ecosystems of collaboration, where a chance conversation between a chemist and a biologist could spark a new idea in materials science, or where an undergraduate's poster presentation could launch a career.
Collaboration
Fostering interdisciplinary connections between diverse scientific fields
Innovation
Incubating early-stage research that leads to major breakthroughs
Education
Nurturing the next generation of scientists through mentorship
The findings presented, from the olfactory maps of rattlesnakes to the new civic engagement strategies in science education, demonstrate that scientific progress is a continuous, collaborative process 8 4 . These regional conferences are the incubators where early-stage research is refined, critiqued, and prepared for the world stage. They remind us that the journey of discovery often begins not in a distant, famous lab, but in our own backyards, driven by curiosity and a shared passion for understanding the natural world.