Researchers project a fourfold increase in fire probability by century's end, with tundra and forest-tundra boundary most vulnerable. Increased fires could release stored carbon into atmosphere, exacerbating global warming.
Robert Smith, a UM computer science assistant professor, was awarded a CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation to develop new analysis techniques for mass spectrometry. This advancement may lead to breakthroughs in fields like medical diagnostics, drug development, and research into Alzheimer's disease.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that exposure to American Indian sports mascots can strengthen negative stereotypes, especially among liberal individuals. The researchers also discovered that a person's political identity can predict how susceptible they are to adopting stereotypes associated with bran...
Scientists have discovered a predictable trend in the evolution of bird shape among island birds, with flying birds adapting smaller flight muscles and longer legs. This adaptation is driven by relief from predators, rather than genetic divergence.
A recent study by University of Montana researcher Jesse Johnson reveals that geothermal heat enhances rapid ice flow and subglacial melting in northern Greenland. The research, published in Nature Geoscience, identifies a west-to-east zone with anomalously high heat that drives widespread melting and rapid ice flow.
Orion Berryman, a UM assistant professor, has received a $675,000 CAREER grant to study multidentate halogen bond donors for supramolecular catalysis. He will use the award to design molecules that complement sulfur compounds and teach students about chemical concepts through 3-D printing.
Assistant Professor John McCutcheon receives $746,301 NSF CAREER grant to continue his lab's work on mitochondria and chloroplasts. The award aims to increase Montana students' competitiveness in handling complex data sets.
Shelby Cole, a first-year pharmacy student, has been awarded an Undergraduate Diversity Student supplement to study dendritic cells and contribute to her professor's research team. The grant will support her individual research project and provide opportunities for mentorship and outreach.
Researchers at the University of Montana found that current models overpredict plant growth's ability to offset CO2 emissions, suggesting the earth's capacity may be limited. The study highlights the importance of integrating model, satellite, and on-the-ground measurement approaches to improve understanding of plant growth's response ...
Researchers found that water ions escape from Saturn's magnetosphere at a reconnection point, where magnetic fields disconnect and reconnect. This discovery helps scientists understand the physics of rapid rotators like Jupiter and how they expel materials.
A recent study by University of Montana researchers found a significant increase in global land evapotranspiration over the past 32 years, driven by vegetation greening and rising atmosphere moisture deficits. This trend exacerbates regional drought-induced disturbances, particularly during strong El Nino events.
Researchers from UM and UFZ developed an ecological simplification concept to aid land managers in identifying restoration project priorities. The study found that man-made structures can create ecological niches and increase biodiversity in rivers, but also introduced new challenges such as invasive species.
Researchers found the fossil record of the earliest North American coral species that reappeared after a mass extinction event, providing insights into survival and recovery. The study reveals that corals took over 20 million years to recover from the event, which was likely caused by massive global climate change.
Researchers will investigate greenhouse gas exchanges, permafrost thawing, and wildlife habitat changes in the Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE). The study aims to better understand the ecological impacts of climate change on forests, wildlife, and communities in Alaska and northern Canada.
Researchers will investigate how disturbances like fire and insect infestation are changing the Earth's carbon absorption, and use models to optimize observation networks for detecting impact on ecosystem carbon balance. The project aims to understand how terrestrial landscapes are shifting from being a net carbon sink to a source.
Research reveals differences in growth rates, parental care, and survival rates among tropical and temperate songbirds. Tropical birds tend to grow faster and have higher parental investment per offspring, leading to improved survival rates outside the nest.
The University of Montana's Sunburst Sensors won a $1.5 million XPRIZE for developing an affordable and accurate pH sensor to measure ocean chemistry, recognizing efforts to combat ocean acidification. The company, founded by UM professor Mike DeGrandpre, employed 9 people at the time of the win.
The University of Montana research team, led by Sarj Patel and Tom Rau, will conduct expanded testing on biomarkers for traumatic brain injury. They aim to clinically validate their research and explore chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Researchers at the University of Montana have discovered evidence of non-adaptive evolution within cicadas, where a single bacterium has split into dozens of species, complicating the insect's symbiotic relationship. This complexity may be detrimental to the cicada's survival, as it relies on the bacteria for essential nutrients.
A University of Montana study found that songbird species vary in time devoted to warming eggs due to factors such as lifespan and predation risk. Longer-lived species with more future breeding opportunities invest less effort in keeping eggs warm, while those with shorter lives put more effort into caring for their young.
Mark Grimes, a UM professor, used new data analysis techniques to study childhood cancer called neuroblastoma. He discovered functional compartmentalization of signaling proteins in cancer cells, which could lead to triggering cell death and improving therapeutic progress.
Recent research by Solomon Dobrowski, a University of Montana professor, finds that forest canopies play a crucial role in buffering juvenile trees from drought and heat. The study suggests that climatic buffering from forest canopies is important to consider when projecting the likelihood of regeneration in future forests.
A recent UM study found that oil and gas development has transformed vast areas of North America's rangelands and croplands, leading to vegetation loss and fragmentation of wildlife habitats. The research estimates that over half a million acres of land are lost annually, equivalent to 120.2 million bushels of wheat.
Climate models assume plants will absorb more CO2 as carbon dioxide levels rise, but a new study suggests limited soil nutrients may curb this growth. The research found that nitrogen limitation could reduce plant uptake of CO2 by 19%, while combined limitations would decrease it by 25%.
A new University of Montana study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism found that eating fast food after a workout can provide the same potential for muscle glycogen recovery as traditional sports supplements. The study, led by Brent Ruby, analyzed muscle biopsies and blood samples from male...
Researchers have gained a better understanding of how tropical forests respond to seasonal climate variations. The new information helps predict future climate change impacts on the global tropics and informs global climate models.
A recent study by University of Montana researcher Jared Oyler found that sensor changes have significantly biased temperature observations from the Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) station network. High-elevation minimum temperatures were warming only slightly more than minimum temperatures at lower elevations.
Researchers at the University of Montana discovered each species' weapon is structurally adapted to its own functional demands of fighting. Horns are found to be stronger and stiffer when exposed to species-typical fighting styles, suggesting performance in battle played a crucial role in their diversification.
Researchers studied genetic variation in wild and domesticated rabbits to understand the domestication process. The study found that genes controlling brain development and nervous system were key to transforming wild rabbits into tame ones.
A University of Montana research lab has made a groundbreaking discovery about the cicada's symbiotic relationship with bacteria. The study found that instead of two bacterial symbionts, there are actually three, including two previously unknown species of <i>Hodgkinia</i>. This new understanding of the symbiosis reveals a more complex...
Researchers at the University of Montana have improved computer models for estimating temperature across mountainous landscapes by creating a new climate dataset. This dataset uses weather station data, atmospheric weather model data, and satellite-based observations to estimate daily temperatures from 1948 to 2012.
A study by researchers from the University of Montana finds that climate warming is increasing hybridization between native westslope cutthroat trout and invasive rainbow trout. This accelerated hybridization threatens the genetic integrity and diversity of native species.
A new study finds that human activities have more than doubled tropical nitrogen inputs, contradicting previous assumptions. This shift highlights the need for immediate action to preserve human and ecosystem health in response to growing environmental concerns.
A recent study examines streamwater chemistry along a 32-tributary stream network in New Hampshire, finding that factors like slope and nutrient levels significantly influence water quality. The research provides high-resolution data for monitoring and managing aquatic ecosystems.
Converting natural land to cropland decreases global vegetation growth, with the largest reductions in former tropical forests and savannas. The study's findings have important implications for terrestrial carbon storage, suggesting strategies should be avoided to prevent severe degradation of vegetation growth.
Researchers Sarj Patel and Tom Rau aim to identify biomarkers of TBI through blood samples, improving diagnosis and treatment. The goal is to understand how localized injuries affect the entire brain.
A recent study by University of Montana faculty and graduate students found that wolf predation contributes to lower weight gain in calves on western Montana ranches. The study quantifies the economic impact of weight loss after a confirmed wolf kill, finding a $6,679 loss at sale for an affected ranch.
Research reveals steep declines in global large carnivore populations, with 77% of studied species decreasing in number. Habitat losses have serious environmental consequences, affecting ecosystems and human societies.
The University of Montana has received a $1 million grant from the US Army to further develop a drug that limits damage caused by traumatic brain injuries. The research aims to create a therapy that can be administered within hours of exposure to blast-force energy waves, potentially saving soldiers' lives.
The loss of Arctic sea ice will have far-reaching ecological consequences, impacting the marine food web and wildlife species that depend on it. Human activity in the region is expected to increase, leading to increased oil spills and other disturbances.
Researchers employed a unique approach to study the Greenland ice sheet, discovering that current models may not accurately predict its movement. The team found that as the ice sheet accelerates, it opens up space between the ice and bedrock, expanding the drainage network.
Researchers at the University of Montana are building Project Minerva, a dedicated observatory to detect Earth-like exoplanets. The project aims to identify planets in the habitable zone with suitable conditions for liquid water and life.
Researchers modeled the influence of Arctic sea ice on temperatures during the Pliocene era, finding that ice-free conditions contributed to surface warming. The study suggests that 400 parts per million atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations may be sufficient to greatly reduce Arctic sea ice extent and seasonal persistence.
Researchers discovered a three-way symbiosis involving six different organisms, including the smallest known genome, and found evidence of horizontal gene transfer between bacteria and their hosts. This study sheds light on fundamental questions of life's origin and the role of symbiotic relationships in shaping organismal complexity.