BIOEDUSCIENCE

Analysis of Factors Causing Learning Difficulties in High School Students on the Excretion System Material

Hilman Faruq — 2025-08-30

Background: Learning difficulties related to the human excretory system remain a persistent challenge in high school biology education, particularly concerning abstract subtopics such as urine formation, nephron structures, and physiological mechanisms including filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. This study aims to identify internal and external factors that hinder student understanding of these concepts. Methods: A descriptive approach was employed, involving the distribution of structured questionnaires to 73 high school students. The instruments were designed to assess both cognitive and instructional aspects influencing learning barriers. Data analysis focused on patterns of student responses concerning content difficulty, teaching methods, and availability of learning resources. Results: The study revealed that 85.7% of students encountered substantial difficulty in understanding urine formation within the nephron. Additionally, 77.1% reported that monotonous, teacher-centered instruction contributed to their challenges, while 65.7% cited a lack of practical laboratory experiences. Cognitive issues such as low abstract reasoning ability, poor visualization skills, limited memory retention, and low motivation were identified as core barriers. Instructional deficiencies, including minimal use of multimedia and interactive strategies, further exacerbated learning difficulties. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of integrating visual aids, interactive media, and experiential learning in biology instruction to improve conceptual understanding. Addressing both cognitive and instructional barriers is essential for enhancing learning outcomes in complex biological systems.

The Microbiological Relationship Between Drinking Water and Stunting Incidence in the Tanjung Harapan Community Health Center Work Area, North Bengkulu, in 2024

Agus Widada — 2025-12-31

Background: Stunting is a condition of growth failure in children (body and brain growth) due to prolonged malnutrition. Based on data from the Argamakmur Health Office, North Bengkulu, 212 out of ten villages have cases of stunting in toddlers. Various factors, including the bacteriological quality of drinking water, can cause stunting. Bacteriological quality that does not meet standards increases the risk of diarrhea in toddlers. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the bacteriological quality of drinking water and the incidence of stunting. Methods: The research method used in this study was an observational, descriptive approach.case controlby taking primary data from laboratory test results to see Total Coliform andE. Coliin drinking water. The sample of this study was clean water used by families in the stunting and non-stunting groups at the Tanjung Harapan Community Health Center, North Bengkulu, comprising 60 drinking water samples: 30 from stunting families and 30 from the non-stunting group. Sampling was carried out randomly using simple random sampling. Data analysis using statistical tests, chi-square. Results: The study on the microbiological quality of drinking water, with a total coliform indicator of 71.7%, did not meet the requirements; the indicator for the presence of E. coli at 73.3% also did not meet the criteria. Bivariate tests showed a relationship between the bacteriological quality of drinking water (Total Coliform) and the incidence of stunting, with a p-value <0.05 (0.004) and an OR = 7.875 (CI = 95% 1.958 – 31.675). There is a relationship between the bacteriological quality of drinking water (E. coli) and the incidence of stunting, with a p-value <0.05 (0.009) and an OR of 6.882 (CI = 95% 1.707 – 27.752). Conclusion: To improve the microbiological quality of drinking water, it is hoped that the community will consume drinking water from cooking and drinking water sources that meet microbial requirements.

Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract as Organic Priming on the Germination of Arabica Coffee Seeds

Fanny Septiani Sari — 2025-12-31

Background: Hard Arabica coffee seeds cause slow germination, but this can be accelerated by increasing their viability through seed priming techniques. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of concentration and duration of immersion in an organic priming solution extracted from moringa leaves on germination results and to identify the appropriate concentration and duration of immersion. Methods: This study was conducted from October to December 2024 at the Greenhouse in Sidorejo Village, Krian District, Sidoarjo, and the Production Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur. The study involved two treatment factors applied to Arabica coffee seeds: the concentration of the organic priming solution made from moringa leaf extract and the soaking duration. Results: The combination of treatment factors—concentration of moringa leaf extract solution and soaking duration—showed a significantly higher number of normal seedlings compared to abnormal seedlings, dead seeds, hard seeds, and fresh seeds. Conclusions: The optimal concentration of moringa leaf extract solution is 12%, and the optimal soaking duration is 38 hours

Carbon Dynamics in Various Agroforestry Systems: A Study of Agrosilvopastural and Two Types of Agrosilvikultural Systems

Hidayatul Wafiqah — 2026-02-06

Background: Global climate change significantly affects carbon dynamics in perennial crop ecosystems, including agroforestry systems. This study aims to analyze carbon dynamics in three types of agroforestry systems: agrosilvopastoral, agrosilvicultural based on horticultural crops, agrosilvicultural based on woody plants, and to identify the diversity and types of vegetation. Methods: The study was conducted from January to March 2025 using field surveys and purposive sampling in Wonosalam, East Java, Indonesia. Laboratory analyses included physical properties (soil texture and bulk density), chemical properties. Results: The regression model showed R² =0,419 Idicating that 41,9% of soil orgnaik carbon variation is explained by plant biomass carbon stock, highlighting its significant contribution to soil carbon accumulation. Conclusions: The agrosilvicultural system based on woody plants provides the highest contribution to carbon dynamics compared to other types of agroforestry, due to its vegetation composition dominated by woody and perennial plants. The even distribution of the Importance Value Index (IVI) reflects a stable and balanced ecosystem, as observed in plot 3, where excelsa coffee (Coffea excelsa) has an IVI of 37.78%, Durian (Durio zibethinus) has 35.56%, and banana (Musa spp) also has 37.78%.

Keywords: Agroforestry; Biomass; Carbon Dynamics

Production and Characterization of Nanoparticles from Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) Extract Based on Chitosan Compounds

Alfa Dirsista Damayanti — 2025-11-30

Background: The use of nanoparticles in Indonesia has been developing and is now being applied across sectors, including agriculture, health, and industry. Nanoparticles derived from Cymbopogon nardus can be used as nanopesticides because they contain several compounds that suppress pathogen growth and reduce pest populations. Chitosan is an additional compound used in the fabrication of these nanoparticles. Methods: This research used materials and tools, including a PSA (Particle Size Analyzer), a SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), Cymbopogon nardus, and chitosan. The research stages included extraction of Cymbopogon nardus, nanoparticle fabrication, PSA analysis, zeta potential measurement, and SEM observation. Results: The PSA test revealed that the Cymbopogon nardus nanoparticles had an average size of 907.2 nm. The zeta potential of the nanoparticles was –40.62 mV, indicating good electrostatic stability. SEM images showed that the nanoparticles had an irregular shape. Conclusions: The Cymbopogon nardus nanoparticles produced in this study, as characterized by PSA, zeta potential, and SEM analyses, demonstrated the expected characteristics of nanoparticles.

The Effect of Problem Oriented Project Based Learning Model Assisted by Artificial Intelligence in Biology Learning on Science Literacy and Collaboration Skills of Grade XI MA Students

Rabiatul Adawiyah — 2025-11-30

Background: Science literacy and collaboration skills are skills that students must be empowered with in the 21st century. Science literacy refers to understanding science issues and applying them in everyday life, while collaboration skills relate to the ability to work together to achieve goals or solve problems. Students must have these abilities so that empowering them can be done by applying innovative learning methods, strategies or models. POPBL is one of the models that can develop the skills needed by students. The effectiveness of the POPBL model is expected to increase with the integration of Aritifical Intelligence (AI). The role of AI as a tool to facilitate students in learning. This study aims to determine the effect of the AI-assisted POPBL model on science literacy and collaboration skills on circulatory system and respiratory system material. Methods: The research method used was quasi-experiment with nonrandomised control group pretest-posttest design. Involving three treatment classes namely POPBL class assisted by AI, POPBL, and regular class (lecture and assignment method). The instruments used were science literacy questions and collaboration skills questionnaire. Data analysis used ANCOVA test, before that the prerequisite test was carried out, namely homogeneity test and normality test. Results: The prerequisite tests conducted proved that the data were normally distributed and the data variance was homogeneous. The results of the ANCOVA data analysis value have a significance value of the learning model treatment which is p-value = 0.000. This shows that AI-assisted POPBL has an effect on science literacy and collaboration skills Conclusion: AI-assisted POPBL has an effect on science literacy and collaboration skills.

Formulation and Antibacterial Activity Test Liquid Soap with Eugenol Variant from Clove Leaf Oil (Eugenia aromaticum) Against Bacteria Staphylococcus aureus

Solikah Ana Estikomah — 2025-09-12

Background: The skin, as the largest organ of the body, hosts various types of bacteria. Excessive sebum production combined with bacterial infections can lead to skin issues such as irritation. Although chemical-based antiseptic soaps are effective, they may negatively impact both the environment and skin health. This has increased public interest in natural alternatives, such as cloves (Eugenia aromaticum), which contain eugenol an active compound with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. This study aimed to formulate a clove leaf oil-based liquid soap with varying concentrations of clove leaf oil: F1 (0%), F2 (4%), F3 (6%), and F4 (8%), and to evaluate its physical properties and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: The disc diffusion method was employed to assess antibacterial activity. Results: The organoleptic test showed that the soap had a distinctive clove aroma, yellow color, and a liquid to thick homogeneous consistency. The pH values ranged from 8.97 to 9.14, foam stability ranged between 84.37% and 88.18%, viscosity ranged from 2510.72 to 6190.57 cP, and spreadability varied from 3.39 to 6.42 cm. Antibacterial testing revealed inhibition zones of 2.87 mm (F1), 7 mm (F2), 10 mm (F3), and 15.25 mm (F4), indicating increasing antibacterial activity with higher clove oil concentrations. Conclusions: The F2 formula was identified as the most balanced, with acceptable pH, optimal foam stability, moderate viscosity, and a 7 mm inhibition zone classified in the medium category. This study highlights the potential of clove leaf oil as a natural antibacterial agent in liquid soap formulations.