Eye on the Y: BYU study measures sound in shark tanks, BYU engineering students complete home repair projects and BYU study looks into treating addiction with immunotherapy

How loud is life behind the glass? BYU study measures sound in shark tanks

Partnering with the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper, Utah, a team of BYU researchers set out to discover how much of the aquariums daily bustle filters into the shark tank and whether that noise affects the animals within the tank.

The researchers used specialized hydrophones to detect sound pressure in liquids and convert it into electrical signals. They found that the sound from the visitor area and the tanks maintenance system did travel through the water, depending on the sounds frequency. The findings will inform decisions at the aquarium going forward as they build new and larger tanks for the animals.

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Santas Helpers: BYU engineering students complete home repair projects for free for homeowners in need

For the eighth year in a row, BYU students in the civil and construction engineering program spent their winter break helping homeowners in need.

They did projects to repair dangerous and uncomfortable living conditions for people without the time or resources to afford such services. This project opened students eyes to how they can use their training and resources to help others.

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Treating addiction with immunotherapy: BYU study links alcohol use and the immune system

BYU researchers in three departments collaborated on a study about how alcohol consumption relates to the immune system.

In the first study of its kind, the researchers confirmed that alcohol use may involve neuroimmune mechanisms. Coauthor Scott Weber, BYU professor of microbiology and molecular biology, said, "We don't currently have it all solved, but if we are able to identify the mechanism of how this works, an immunotherapy could be developed down the road that may make it easier for people to break this addictive alcohol cycle."

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