\section{Compounding the Problem}

With the world honey bee populations facing steep losses, scientists worldwide are focusing their research on finding out why and how to fix this problem. John Hranitz, professor of biological and allied health science, studies the bee population, assisted in his on-campus lab during the spring semester by his Turkish research partner, Nazime G\"une\c{s}.

Honey bees play an integral role in agriculture. Due to their social nature, they can pollinate large fields of crops continuously throughout the warmer months. A few years without honey bee activity could be detrimental to food production.

``Humans use pesticides mainly to manage harmful bugs and mites,'' says Hranitz. ``Certain mites are very harmful to the honey bee.''

These mites weaken bees by feeding on their blood, resulting in the recent drop in the honey bee population, he explains. However, pesticides can also be damaging to bees. By studying the bee's brain and reading the stress protein levels, researchers are able to establish a marker of the stress level the bees are under when certain pesticides are applied.

``Through the use of these pesticides, we may be subjecting bees to sub-lethal stress,'' Hranitz says. ``So although we may not be killing them, this stress still manifests itself in ways that can cause declines in productivity through reproductive or behavioral problems.''

Hranitz and G\"une\c{s} are dissecting bees' brains to observe the levels of stress protein that result from mite abatement practices. ``We do not know exactly what level of the pesticides causes sublethal stress that impairs bees. Hopefully, through this research we will figure that out,'' Hranitz says.

Hranitz earned bachelor's and master's degrees from BU and a doctorate from Mississippi State University. He has been a member of BU's faculty since 2002. G\"une\c{s} earned her undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Uluda\u{g} University in Turkey.

\begin{figure}[h]
\centering
\includegraphics{figure_1.pdf}
\caption{Photo: Philovivero at the English language Wikipedia}
\label{figure_1}
\end{figure}

\section{SNAP Judgment}

Bloomsburg University nursing students won the ninth annual Geoffrey Allen Walp Memorial Student Nurse Challenge, sponsored by the East Stroudsburg University chapter of the Student Nurse Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) on March 2.

Based on the Cole Buhl program, the challenge helps prepare student nurses for the National Council Licensure Examination for their Registered Nurse (RN) license. A large screen displays NCLEX-style, multiple-choice questions as two teams compete. The first to push the buzzer has the opportunity to answer the question and earn the point. Winning teams compete against each other until a final winner is determined at the last round.

BU students received a \$500 check for their SNAP chapter and the right to house the trophy until next year's challenge. All schools in the SNAP district, including diploma, associate and baccalaureate programs, are invited to participate.

Representing BU were: Ashley Ginther, Pottstown; Amanda Cruz, Holland; Jen McCauley, Saylorsburg; Rachel Crawford, Doylestown; Emily Searfoss, Spring Mills; Nikki Cicero, Doylestown; Amanda Nyce, Coopersburg; Jamie Thomas, Archbald; Kayla Zambiasi, Minersville; and Rebecca Gates, Greencastle; along with faculty advisers Allison Maloney and Mindi Miller.