Abstracts of the presentation themes for the 2014 Kansai Conference are now available.

• Tokyo Conference Oral Presentations
• Tokyo Conference Poster Presentation
• Kansai Conference Oral Presentation
• Kansai Conference Poster Presentation

Science Castle is looking for middle and high school students and teachers who wish to attend the presentations. Not only can you attend the presentations listed below, but you can also communicate directly with the junior high and high school students and teachers involved in the research. Please apply for participation below.
https://s-castle.com/join.html

*Presentation times are subject to change.
*[Change Notice] Due to scheduling adjustments for events, etc., the afternoon presentation start time has been changed to 13:30. (2014.12.12 10:00)
In consideration of distant schools, the order of presentation of "Kyoto Prefectural Momoyama Senior High School" and "Yamamura International Senior High School" has been changed. (2014.12.12 10:00)

List of Abstracts of Oral Presentation Themes for Kansai Conference

Morning Session

10:00 Survey on distribution of organisms and water quality in the open sea and inner bay of Shirahama Town ② ( Osaka Municipal Pan-Ai High School, 2nd grade, science elective students )

Report on the results of activities regarding the distribution of organisms and the investigation of water quality in the open sea and inner bay of Shirahama-cho, which started the investigation from the year before last. The survey was conducted with emphasis on quantification of biological distribution (limited observation and identification of species and locations) and quantification of the strength of waves that are thought to affect biological distribution. The results and discussion are reported. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

10:10 Water mass characteristics of Kumihama Bay, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan ( Konan High School Science and Mathematics Course Water Quality Research Team )

In order to investigate the water mass characteristics of Kumihama Bay in detail, which had been investigated until last year, we decided to add a chlorophyll sensor this year to investigate the relationship between dissolved oxygen and phytoplankton distribution in seawater. In response to the prediction that chlorophyll would also show its maximum value at the depth where dissolved oxygen was at its maximum value, it was found that the peak of chlorophyll (phytoplankton) was located several meters deeper than the depth where dissolved oxygen was at its maximum value. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

10:20 Yumechikara Cultivation Research: Ladybugs and the Five Breads Project ( Wakayama Shinai High School and Junior High School Science Club )

We will present the results of our research on Yumechikara cultivation over the last year as a research school for the cultivation of domestic wheat Yumechikara. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

10:30 How to generate and observe mirage ( Hyogo Prefectural Takarazuka Kita High School Horticulture Department Basic Research Team )

An island floating in the sea. An oasis suddenly appearing in the desert. These phenomena are called mirages. We were intrigued by this mysterious phenomenon. However, we could not observe them in Takarazuka City, where we live. Therefore, we decided to investigate mirages by first artificially generating mirages indoors. We succeeded in generating a mirage by creating a sharp temperature gradient of approximately 2 K per centimeter of air using a simple experimental apparatus that only required the placement of an electric heater. While conducting the mirage generation experiment, he realized that creating a temperature gradient alone was not enough to observe a mirage, so he considered how to observe the object in order to see the mirage. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

10:40 Can we grow plants with a windmill ( Practical Research Group, Gardening Department, Hyogo Prefectural Takarazuka Kita High School )

Food shortages are now a concern in many countries. If plants could be grown in factories, they could be grown without being affected by sunlight conditions. However, there is no light. Therefore, they use LEDs as a light source to replace the sun, and windmills as their power source, aiming for environmentally friendly plant cultivation. We created a windmill and investigated what shape could generate power efficiently. They also selectively shone light on the plants and observed their germination and growth to determine what colors of light were necessary for the plants to germinate and grow. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

10:50 Why burning wood causes pain in the eyes and nose ( Chemistry Club, Takarazuka Kita High School, Hyogo Prefecture )

When smoke from a barbecue fire gets into the eyes, it causes pain and tears. We investigated the possibility that reducing or acidic substances may be the cause of the pain. The results showed that the main chemical factors that cause pain are reducing substances, and that these substances are more likely to occur in an oxygenated, high-temperature environment. On the other hand, charcoal produces few reducing and pain-causing substances, suggesting that the pain-causing substances are water-soluble reducing substances, such as aldehydes, resulting from the thermal decomposition of cellulose in wood chips and other materials. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

11:00 Formation history of basement rocks in the central part of Hyogo Prefecture where Nishiwaki High School is located ( Magma Group, Geology Department, Hyogo Prefectural Nishiwaki High School )

The area surrounding the school (central Hyogo Prefecture) is plagued by flooding every year, and some of the club members have suffered damage from flooding. The cause is believed to be the unique topography of central Hyogo Prefecture. Although geological maps have been published for each of the four areas around the school, the strata are not horizontally contrasted, the boundaries are not connected, and the names of rocks are not unified, making it impossible to consider the formation history as a whole. Therefore, we surveyed the entire area of Nishiwaki City (20 km from east to west and 18 km from north to south) and traced outcrops for 35 km southward to Kasai City, Miki City, Kakogawa City, and Takasago City, and prepared a geological map. We prepared thin sections of 90 rock samples obtained and were able to model the formation history of the entire central and southern areas of Hyogo Prefecture based on these samples. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

11:10 Ground deformation caused by the aftershocks of the Hyogo-ken Nanbu Earthquake and recommendations for residential land development ( Urban Environment Group, Earth Science Department, Hyogo Prefectural Nishiwaki Senior High School )

After the largest aftershock last year, many cracks appeared in the road around the advisor's home (Kakogawa City). We investigated 372 manholes, focusing on the cracks around the manhole covers, and found that the ground had moved laterally in an east-west direction. The area of the study area is soft ground that had been subject to seawater intrusion until the Taisho Era (1912-1926). However, no cracks were found on the main road despite the same soft ground. According to interviews with the city office, we learned that the response to the strength of the housing site ground is virtually left to the contractors and the municipality. With earthquakes occurring frequently in many areas, unless the strength standards for residential land are revised to be comparable to those for arterial roads, damage such as that in our survey area could occur frequently throughout Japan. We are currently discussing with city hall and hope to disseminate the results to the rest of the country. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

11:20 Consideration of Yogurt Fermentation ( Osaka Prefectural Izumi High School Science Club )

We have conducted several experiments on yogurt production by lactic acid bacteria fermentation and obtained the following findings that open up new possibilities for yogurt. It was found that yogurt can be made from soy milk and skim milk as well as cow's milk by fermentation with lactobacilli. It was found that a wide range of lactobacilli can be used to make yogurt, including lactobacilli obtained from intestinal preparations and bedded foods. In order to evaluate the progress of lactobacillus fermentation, a simple method to measure the gel consistency was devised. The results suggest that the fat content of milk and the fibrous component of soy milk are involved in the firmness of yogurt. The results suggest that lactobacilli play a role in preventing spoilage. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

11:30 Comprehensive study on growth promotion and mass propagation of golden orchid (Echinocactus grusonii) by aseptic culture ( Biotechnology Research Department, Osaka Prefectural High School of Gardening )

In order to enable nutrient propagation of goldenrod, culture conditions and propagation of aseptically sown seedlings were studied. MS medium at 1/2 concentration was suitable for seedling growth. Fragments of seedlings were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/ℓ of BA and 0.2 mg/ℓ of NAA to form offspring on the fragments, which rooted and became complete individuals when cultured on MS medium at 1/2 concentration. Most of the seedlings produced were larger than seedlings cultured for more than one year, which speeded up the growth rate of the seedlings. Under these conditions, one to eight or more small plants were formed in three months, and by repeating the same operation, one to 500 or more seedlings could be grown in one year. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

11:40 Research on the relationship between rainwater composition and regional airflow ( Osaka Prefectural Sakai-Higashi High School Geography Club )

The Earth Science Club of Sakai Higashi High School in Osaka Prefecture has been conducting a rainwater study for the past eight years. In addition to investigating acidity and conductivity, the research includes using a spectrophotometer to measure the concentration of ions (sulfate, nitric acid, chloride, calcium, and ammonium) in rainwater. In this study, we will examine the pathways by which these ions were transported using wind direction around the school and stream line analysis of airflow. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

11:50 Photometric Observation of Asteroid Sandashounkan ( Hyogo Prefectural Sanda Shounkan High School Astronomy Club )

We have determined the rotation period of our school's namesake asteroid, sandashounkan, by observing it for long periods of time using the Nishi-Harima Observatory and Internet telescopes around the world. We also determined the mineralogy type of the asteroid by identifying its surface color using multicolor photometry. [/box]

Afternoon Session

13:30 Measurement of Antibacterial Effects of Natural Foods on Food Poisoning Bacteria ( Yamamura Gakuen Yamamura International High School, Biology Club )

Motive: Manuka honey is a natural food found in New Zealand, where I went on a school trip. It contains antibacterial active ingredients. We tested its antimicrobial efficacy (hypothesis) using four types of food poisoning bacteria. Manuka honey and normal honey with different antimicrobial active ingredient values were used. The antimicrobial effect was measured by the paper disc method, comparing the inhibition circles that inhibited the growth of the food poisoning bacteria. The properties of the antimicrobial active ingredients were also examined. The higher the value of antimicrobial active ingredient, the stronger the antimicrobial effect against food poisoning bacteria, indicating a relationship between the value of antimicrobial active ingredient and antimicrobial effect. On the other hand, normal honey showed almost no antimicrobial effect. The antimicrobial active ingredient was found to be water soluble and heat sensitive. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

13:40 Discovering the Roots of Japanese Peach through the Nucleus of an Archaeological Peach (Nara Prefectural Seisho Senior High School Research Biology Team)

We have classified the peach nuclei excavated from the Momamukai site (around the middle of the 3rd century) and the Nagara site (late 5th century) in Nara Prefecture according to their morphology. The peach nucleus from the Momamukai site dates to the Himiko period, while the Nagara site is said to be the site of the mansion of En'oji, the last ally of the Katsuragi clan. The length, width, and thickness were measured and classified based on the ratios of length/width, length/thickness, and width/thickness. As a result, it was found that there is one type of nucleus of peach nucleus at the Mumoqiang site and two types of nucleus at the Nagara site. Since the peach nucleus at the Miamukai site and the one at the Nagara site were of the same type, it is thought that the same peach was used for approximately 200 years or more. The other type of peach nucleus at the Nagara site was excavated suddenly with Sue ware from the middle of the 5th century, suggesting that it was brought from the Korean Peninsula. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

13:50 Purification and testing of recombinant proteins in the proliferation of epidermal keratinocyte cell lines ( AICJ Junior & Senior High School Team IB )

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and other nutrients have been used to proliferate epidermal keratinocytes in-vitro. Queensland University of Technology has shown that vitronectin (VN) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) positively affect epidermal keratinocyte proliferation and migration. In this study, we confirmed that a culture medium containing purified chimeric protein (VN:IGF-I) can be safely used for the growth of a human cold calcium keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Specifically, VN:IGF-I chimeric protein was purified to high purity and confirmed by immunostaining. Furthermore, HaCaT cells were cultured in serum-free medium prepared with this chimeric protein to measure cell adhesion and analyze morphology. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

14:00 Chemical Ecology of the Brassicaceae Plants ( Osaka Prefectural Sumiyoshi High School Science Club )

We were interested in isothiocyanate (ITC), a substance found in cruciferous plants, and studied the survival strategy of cruciferous plants based on the relationship between cruciferous plants and ITC. Experimental results showed that ITC concentrations increased immediately after germination, after infection by disease, and after feeding damage by natural enemies, and that a large amount of ITC was produced in seeds and flower buds, which are organs important for the survival of the species. In addition, it was found that larvae of the white-headed gull, the largest natural enemy of cruciferous plants, selectively feed on leaves with low ITC content. From these results, we conclude that cruciferous plants use ITC to repel natural enemies and protect themselves. In the future, we would like to study the entire ecosystem through ITC. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

14:10 Let's protect the sea of Mie Prefecture - COD measurement and plankton survey - ( Suzuka National College of Technology, Department of Biology and Applied Chemistry, 3rd year, Creative Engineering Practice Group )

Let's protect the sea of Mie Prefecture! is the theme of a year-long survey of Mie Prefecture's coasts, with particular emphasis on the Shirako Coast, conducted by a total of 32 people. The survey is conducted from two major perspectives: chemical and biological. From a chemical perspective, we determine the COD (chemical oxygen demand) of seawater and measure how polluted the seas of Mie Prefecture are. From a biological perspective, we observe plankton living in the sea under a microscope and measure chlorophyll content to quantify phytoplankton. We conduct these three measurements-observations under various conditions, such as weather, temperature, time of day, and high and low tides at the time of water sampling. Ultimately, we hope to study the relationship between the results of these three measurements. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

14:20 Ecological Survey of Hachijo Dragonflies II: Strategies for Survival ( Shimane Hamada High School, Natural Science Club )

We learned that the hatchling dragonfly, listed as an endangered species II by Shimane Prefecture, lives near our school. We conducted a basic ecological survey to unravel the mystery of how this dragonfly, which is frail, beautiful, and can live only in limited wetland environments, has been able to survive, and obtained information on its developmental period (extinction), individual life span (survival period), and migration distance. We also discovered that this dragonfly, which does not fly long distances on its own, traveled a distance of 460 meters across a mountain with an elevation difference of 60 meters. Based on these facts, we will discuss the hidden power of this frail dragonfly to live a strong and robust life, and its strategy for survival. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

14:30 Rice Paddies Generate Electricity ( Nara Prefectural Seisho Senior High School, Science and Biotechnology Power Generation Team )

Rice (Hinohikari) was cultivated in 15L buckets filled with mud from paddy fields at three locations in Nara Prefecture. Carbon rods were placed in the buckets as electrodes, one in the mud and the other in the water. As a result, the voltage rose to 0.6V in the higher bucket, indicating that the rice and the presence of light increase the electromotive force and the rice paddy generates electricity. One typical microbial fuel cell is about 0.3V, so the voltage in this study is high. It is known that power-generating bacteria exist in the mud, and we assumed that the power-generating bacteria generated electricity. In addition, since the EMF is higher in the presence of rice and light, it is possible that the photosynthetic products are used by the power-generating bacteria. In the future, they plan to flash LEDs to repel wild boars in rice paddies deep in the mountains where there is no external power source. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

14:40 Rooftop Greening Project by Promoting the Growth of Moss Moss ( Nissei Gakuen Daiichi High School and Affiliated Junior High School BIO SCIENCE CLUB )

This is a presentation of a research project on the cultivation of moss, which we have been working on since last year for the purpose of preserving the global environment. Moss is highly adaptable to environmental changes, does not require soil for growth, and can grow on carpeted areas. It has been found to be effective for rooftop and wall greening. However, the slow growth of the moss makes it difficult for it to differentiate from the protoplast to the stroma.
The research theme of this study was how to efficiently grow the sycamore moss. After a year and a half of research, the process of "spore, protoplast induction, liquid culture, and phloem body differentiation" was completed. In addition, we have determined the most promising candidates for the effective medium, concentration, illumination, phytohormone, and other parameters for each stage. We will present the results of our research at this point. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

14:50 Correlation between the time medaka spend in a blind date and mate choice ( 2nd year of Nature Study, Horikawa Senior High School, Kyoto, Japan )

It has been reported that female medaka prefer to mate with a male they have met through blind dates rather than with a male they do not know. However, since the correlation between the time of blind date and mate choice has not been clarified, we hypothesized that there is a positive correlation between the time of blind date and mate choice and attempted to verify this hypothesis. We placed four males in the same tank with a female and a male that had been matched for 0, 24, and 48 hours, and examined which male took how long to reach which mating behavior step in the four groups. Since the effects of individual differences and male dominance relationships could not be ruled out, research is continuing with experimental systems that are designed to increase the number of individuals and at the same time prevent intermale competition. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

15:00 Challenge from CanSat to CUBE-SAT ( Osaka Prefectural Ibaraki Technical High School SST. R&D (Super Science Technology and R&D Department) )

This is the second year that the program has been adopted by JST's 2013 Science Club Activity Promotion Program for Junior and Senior High School Students. We participated in the first national competition (Noshiro, Akita Prefecture) in CanSat Koshien 2014. The project was selected for the Excellence Award of the Osaka Prefectural Student Science Awards 2014 and will be honored at the Yomiuri Shimbun headquarters on November 8, 2014. Selected as a satellite component manufacturing school for the "Small Satellite Launch Project by High School Students", a 100th anniversary project of the National Association of Technical High School Principals. Participated in Science Festa Osaka 2014 and received an Encouragement Award. Participated in Osaka Industrial Education Fair and introduced CanSat and Hybrid Rocket. Asked to give a lecture on the theme of space at the 10th anniversary of Ibaraki City Lifelong Learning Center. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

15:10 Banana Peel Giraffe Phenomenon ( Kyoto Prefectural Momoyama Senior High School Global Science Club )

As bananas ripen, their skins turn mottled black. This blackening is caused by the polymerization of dopamine. I became interested in this phenomenon and began my research. In particular, I wondered (1) why the skin turns mottled black (biological significance), (2) what is the mechanism of mottled blackening, and (3) why dopamine exists (biological significance), and aimed to elucidate these points. In this study, we investigated the "temperature dependence of banana peel change (-8°C to 200°C)" in order to gain insight into (2). As a result, clear mottled blackening was observed only when the peels were stored at 20°C and 30°C. Microscopic observation of the epidermis was also performed to confirm the darkening at the cellular level. In addition to these, the following are the other findings obtained. [/box] [box color="lgray"]

15:20 Flight a few millimeters above the ground - Making a boardable hovercraft ( Osaka Prefectural Tondabayashi High School Science Club Physics Craft Team )

Hovercraft are levitated by air pressure and can move without the effects of friction from the ground or other objects. In engineering terms, it is classified as an aircraft, and its movement can be called "flight. Small models are often seen, but in this research, the challenge was to create a hovercraft that can carry a person. It was very difficult to find a way to levitate the hull and reduce friction on the floor. It was found that it was easier to levitate the hovercraft if the skirt for storing air was thick like a floatation ring rather than thin like a bicycle tube, and if the air pressure in the tube was reduced to increase the ground contact area. By increasing the blower output to 1000 W, we succeeded in lifting a heavy person. Because of the lack of friction on the floor, propulsion was obtained even with a fan. [/box]

Please register as soon as possible!

If you find a topic that interests you, please come to the venue to attend the presentation. We would appreciate your cooperation in registering as early as possible in order to prepare the abstract book and other materials to be distributed on the day of the conference.
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