Writing+a+scientific+abstract

An abstract basically is a shortened version (try to make it 100 words) of the paper and should contain all information necessary for the reader to determine:

(1) what the objectives of the study were ; [BACKGROUND] (2) how the study was done ; [METHODS] (3) what results were obtained ; [RESULTS] (4) and the significance of the results. [CONCLUSION]

Look over these examples (below) carefully. You can also read these kid examples from a previous science fair. Abstracts #1 - #3 are more for controlled experiments. Abstracts #4 - #6 are more engineering examples.

=ABSTRACT #1=


 * ORIGINAL: INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS AND AUDITORY CORTICES PREDICT MUSIC REWARD VALUE**

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate neural processes when music gains reward value the first time it is heard. The degree of activity in the mesolimbic striatal regions, especially the nucleus accumbens, during music listening was the best predictor of the amount listeners were willing to spend on previously unheard music in an auction paradigm. Importantly, the auditory cortices, amygdala, and ventromedial prefrontal regions showed increased activity during listening conditions requiring valuation, but did not predict reward value, which was instead predicted by increasing functional connectivity of these regions with the nucleus accumbens as the reward value increased. Thus, aesthetic rewards arise from the interaction between mesolimbic reward circuitry and cortical networks involved in perceptual analysis and valuation. - scientific source, Science (journal) - 120 words
 * TRANSLATION: THE INTERACTION BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR STRUCTURES IN THE BRAIN SHOW SCIENTISTS HOW MUCH YOU LIKE CERTAIN MUSIC THE FIRST TIME YOU LISTEN TO IT**

We used a brain scanner to watch how people's brains processed music the first time that music was heard. We set up a fake "auction" and looked at the activity in the brain to try and predict how much people would spend in our fake "auction" for new music that they heard. We found that some areas of the brain were being used, but did not help us predict how much people would spend. Other parts of the brain were great predictors - like the nucleus accumbens. Overall, the rewards of listening to new music come from the specific interaction between two specific brain regions. - source for the general public (Science Daily) - 105 words

ABSTRACT #2


 * ORIGINAL: Evidence for hearing loss in amblyopsid cavefishes**

The constant darkness of caves and other subterranean habitats imposes sensory constraints that offer a unique opportunity to examine evolution of sensory modalities. Hearing in cavefishes has not been well explored, and here we show that cavefishes in the family Amblyopsidae are not only blind but have also lost a significant portion of their hearing range. Our results showed that cave and surface amblyopsids shared the same audiogram profile at low frequencies but only surface amblyopsids were able to hear frequencies higher than 800 Hz and up to 2 kHz. We measured ambient noise in aquatic cave and surface habitats and found high intensity peaks near 1 kHz for streams underground, suggesting no adaptive advantage in hearing in those frequencies. In addition, cave amblyopsids had lower hair cell densities compared with their surface relative. These traits may have evolved in response to the loud high-frequency background noise found in subterranean pools and streams. This study represents the first report of auditory regression in a subterranean organism.

- scientific source, Biology Letters - 166 words


 * TRANSLATION: (in progress)**

- source for the general public, Science News

=ABSTRACT #3=


 * ORIGINAL: Comparison of environmental and egg microbiology associated with conventional and free-range laying hen management**

Eggs from alternative production practices are a growing niche in the market. Meeting consumer requests for greater diversity in retail egg options has resulted in some unique challenges such as understanding the food safety implications of eggs from alternative production practices. A study was conducted to determine what, if any, differences exist between nest run conventional cage-produced eggs and free range-produced eggs. A sister flock of brown egg layers was maintained in conventional cage and free-range production with egg and environmental sampling every 6 wk from 20 to 79 wk of age. Aerobic, coliform, and yeast and mold populations were monitored. Environmental microbial levels were not always indicative of egg contamination levels. When significant differences (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001, dependent on season) were observed among treatments for coliforms, shell contamination levels of free-range nest box eggs and free-range floor eggs were always greater than those of conventional cage eggs, which remained low throughout the study (0.42–0.02 log cfu/mL). Shell yeast and mold levels were significantly greater in free-range floor eggs than in free-range nest box eggs and conventional cage eggs throughout the entire study. Egg contents contamination levels were extremely low for all monitored populations and treatments. Season of the year played a role in both environmental and egg microbial levels. Winter had the lowest levels of all populations monitored for all treatments, except for aerobic free-range floor egg shell emulsions, which were increased (3.6 log cfu/mL). Understanding the differences in microbial populations present on conventional cage-produced and free range-produced eggs can lead to the development of effective cleaning procedures, enhancing food safety.

- scientific source (Poulty Science) - 267 words

TRANSLATION: (in progress)

- source for the general public (Time magazine)

=ABSTRACT #4=

text
 * ORIGINAL:**

TRANSLATION: (in progress)

=ABSTRACT #5=


 * ORIGINAL: Mechanical Engineering: Next Generation Efficient Buildings via Scaled Models**

Building operations consume 40% of energy in the US.United States. Building simulation is the main tool in used to improve ing building design and efficiency,, however, simulation but it is limited in its accuracy and resolution. Computer modeling of dynamic building heating and cooling systems is often inaccurate because of limits on processing power and the assumptions that are made to simplify the calculations. To improve understanding of building model uncertainty and bridge the gap between simulation and full-scale buildings, a scaled test bed can be created and contrasted with computer simulations. This comparison will allow heating and cooling engineers to better predict the behavior of building systems, and thus create systems that will more accurately react to changing conditions, and make a more effective use of materials, insulation, and fenestration. The test bed will also allow designers to rapidly evaluate new methods and technologies outside of a simulation environment.

The constructed test bed system consists of a modular and easily modifiable building, a weather simulation enclosure, a modifiable heating and cooling system, and sensors for collecting data about the exterior and interior climate. These sensors serve as the input for a controls system, which actively control the scaled building’s HVAC systems. The building is constructed of interchangeable materials that can simulate different thermal characteristics. The test enclosure can simulate temperature, solar radiation, and wind. Sensors measure temperatures throughout the test bed enclosure, artificial wind speed, and radiation. The building’s heating and cooling usage is then compared to a computer simulation, and discrepancies can be analyzed so that correlations between buildings of different sizes can be drawn.

TRANSLATION: (in progress)

=ABSTRACT #6=

text
 * ORIGINAL:**

TRANSLATION: (in progress)

More stuff:
 * Here is Science Buddies Abstract page.
 * Another great source (and kid-friendly) can be found here
 * Lots more examples of scientific abstracts (slightly different format):
 * Effects of chewing gum on cognitive function, mood and physiology in stressed and non-stressed volunteers.
 * Mobile Phone Use and Brain Tumors in Children and Adolescents: A Multicenter Case–Control Study
 * Sports Injuries in Children
 * Modifying Media Content for Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
 * Respiratory Tract Illnesses During the First Year of Life: Effect of Dog and Cat Contacts
 * RECOVERY OF AN ISOLATED CORAL REEF SYSTEM FOLLOWING SEVERE DISTURBANCE
 * Epidemiology of Collegiate Injuries for 15 Sports: Summary and Recommendations for Injury Prevention Initiatives
 * Relationship Between Weekend Catch-up Sleep and Poor Performance on Attention Tasks in Korean Adolescents