2019/20

Article Title: An Editorial Welcome to The Student Journal of Natural Sciences, 2019

Authors: Law, A, Baker, K, Barcons, AM, Williams, H, Mitten, A, Jeffery, A, Green, E, Appleby, J, Green, E, Appleby, J, Jones, G and Rogers, S 
DOI: doi.org/10.21252/y2kw-b817
Abstract: Welcome to The Student Journal of Natural Sciences (or SJNS), a journal created to provide students with a platform to not only publish their work, but also gain valuable experience in the editorial and peer review process. SJNS has been developed (by early career staff and students cooperatively) to support and develop scientific enquiry, critical thinking, creative activity and scholarship within both undergraduate and postgraduate students. It also aims to support staff (and the teaching and learning environments in general) by encouraging research-led teaching and acting as an avenue for the encouragement, promotion and generation of student led research activities.

Article Title: Money Versus Medicine: Public Perceptions of Patenting Medical Innovations

Authors: Dewar, T
DOI: doi.org/10.21252/nr13-a922
Abstract: The effect of demographics on the public's perceptions of the pharmaceutical industry, and the subsequent influence this has on over-the-counter painkiller buying preference, is a sparsely researched area. At the time of publication, there had been no links made between demographic factors, such as gender and location, and the perceptions of the public when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry. While the gender, highest level of education, age, and location of respondents were considered in this study, only data collected relating to the participants' education and age were significant for analysis, due to limitations in the study's design. A relationship between the highest level of education achieved, and an understanding of the patent process was successfully mapped, demonstrating that a higher level of education equates to a better understanding of how patents are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Market prices were the most prominent reason for over-thecounter painkiller buying preference however, and contextual information provided to participants in the study only acted to reinforce previously held beliefs and opinions.

Article Title: Reflected Light Microscopy as an Efficient and Cost effective Method for the Detection Of Calcareous Micro-fossils, An Example from the Much Wenlock Limestone Formation, Shropshire, UK

Authors: Hussain, R, Rogers, S and Blackburn, JA
DOI: doi.org/10.21252/fpdf-8j55
Abstract: Ovummuridae are calcareous egg-shaped microfossils of unknown biological affinity. There are limited observations in the literature due to their occurrence only within exceptionally preserved carbonate rocks. The first observation and subsequent erection of the family was via scanning electron microscope imagery; more recently standard light microscopy has been used successfully to observe these microfossils. In this study 124 polished and etched thin sections from various lithofacies from the Much Wenlock Limestone Formation were studied via light microscopy to investigate a population of Ovummuridae. During data collection, it was noted that many specimens were extremely difficult, if not impossible to detect via transmitted light microscopy. However, when observing polished and etched thin sections via reflected light microscopy specimens were conspicuous. This paper introduces reflected light microscopy as a cheap, time efficient method for the observation of Ovummuridae, and explores the wider uses of the technique where other calcareous walled microfossils may have the potential for detection.