Extramural Research
Field Notes
Grantee Research Project Results
An Exercise in Microblogging
While in accompanying the research team, we microblogged to Twitter from a mobile device. The log has been compiled below:
Moved down to the line by the stream-2 more mice, but fewer traps filled as compared to deeper in the woods. 07:36 AM August 26, 2008 from txt
Nothing in the larger tomahawk traps, we're disappointed about that, but that's field research! We head back to the second site. 07:50 AM August 26, 2008 from txt
Out of 20 sherman & 6 tomahawk traps we found, removed ticks, fleas, weighed and got data for 2 mice and SURPRISE a baby opposum! 06:59 PM August 26, 2008 from txt
The sites were chosen to coincide with the birds MAPS study, so we can then see if bird diversity is related to mammalian diversity. 07:58 AM August 26, 2008 from txt
We will be "tick dragging" at site 2 to measure tick density, these ticks are then tested for Lyme disease pathogen at lab. 08:02 AM August 26, 2008 from txt
The ticks' blood will be analyzed to see if the Lyme disease pathogen is there, they also look at the genetic strain of the bacteria ... 08:10 AM August 26, 2008 from txt
This is important because some strains are more virulent resulting in more severe Lyme disease. 06:59 PM August 26, 2008 from txt
Off to drag for ticks, with rolls of white ribbed courdoroy on a dowel (just like a wedding runner), a quick check on some traps on the way. 11:42 AM August 26, 2008 from txt
We're dragging! Walked a 20 meter stretch by a line of traps. Then pluck the ticks off for further analysis. 11:42 AM August 26, 2008 from txt
First drag resulted in 19 larvae and 1 nymphs - that's the more familiar stage - the ticks are tiny! 06:59 PM August 26, 2008 from txt
Familiar because the nymphs are the ones I usually look for after hiking in the woods, those are the ones that will be infected... 11:50 AM August 26, 2008 from txt
...But some researchers believe infected larvae could transmit to humans too. Ten larvae collected off this drag cloth. 11:53 AM August 26, 2008 from txt
We run the same routine: dragging the cloth and carefully inspecting for ticks. We use tweezers to pull the ticks from the fabric 04:47 PM August 26, 2008 from txt
We pop the ticks into a small vial of an alcohol/water mixture. You need good eyes to spot 'em. 04:53 PM August 26, 2008 from txt
The researcher teaches us the difference between a little beetle & a tick - it's all in the movement from (& legs on) the small specks. 04:56 PM August 26, 2008 from txt