search articles:     from the issue of September 8, 2005         Undergrads experience research firsthand Michelle Pavelka's research on West Nile Virus in horses should lead to better diagnoses for the state's horse industry, which has been hard hit by this disease. The senior UNL veterinary sciences major from Bladen wanted to know why horses with clinical signs of West Nile sometimes test negative for the virus. She developed an honors thesis research project with veterinary scientist Bruce Brodersen that was funded by the university's Agricultural Research Division Honors Student Research Program. She initially explored the possibility that horses were being exposed to another infectious agent with symptoms similar to West Nile. Her findings suggest some horses with West Nile symptoms may have had prior exposure to the virus from an earlier infection or had been vaccinated to prevent the disease. Prior exposure or vaccination can cause horses to exhibit an anamnestic, or secondary response, different than what is expected for a primary infection. The traditional test focused on detecting evidence of a primary infection. "We found that in order to make a true diagnosis of West Nile Virus, pathologists must also consider these secondary antibody responses," said Pavelka, a College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources student who hopes to publish the findings and present them to Nebraska veterinarians. "The results will have a positive impact on the horse industry," Brodersen said. "Michelle's research adds another level of information that we as diagnosticians can use to help veterinarians. It will help us to be more exacting in our diagnosis." Pavelka and other undergraduate students gain valuable hands-on experience working with Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and other UNL scientists on research that benefits the public. However, undergraduates are not merely hired to perform tasks. They are there to learn and help advance research projects. "Their work makes a big difference in the way things get accomplished in the lab," said George Graef, UNL plant breeder. GO TO: ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 8 NEWS HEADLINES FOR SEPTEMBER 8 Kooser's verse draws accolades External research dollars hit record level Year in Review $2 million grant puts UNL into international physics experiment Headlines tout campus successes IANR scientists in top-20 worldwide for article citations iDiverse to develop stress resistant crops ITLE grants bolster teaching Master plan moves closer to completion Rankings place UNL among America's best - Academic workplace in top 10 Rankings place UNL among America's best - University rates in top 50 nationwide Rural poll marks decade of insight Scientists break into Discover's top 100 list Soy oil research helps shape food allergen labeling rules Team wins $3 million DoD grant Undergrads experience research firsthand UNL heads back to Antarctica UNL, UNMC create surgical tool 732197S34887X