A University of Maine-led study has uncovered new information about millennia of sea ice variability in the Southern Hemisphere by examining the chemistry of a 54,000-year-old South Pole ice core. The research reveals significant fluctuations in wintertime sea ice and an overall increase in ice cover throughout the Holocene.
A University of Maine study found that Down East wild blueberry fields are warming at a rate 1.2 degrees Celsius faster than the rest of the state over the past 40 years. This rapid warming is expected to increase evapotranspiration, threatening water supplies and crop health.
Researchers found that alternative seafood networks (ASNs) experienced unprecedented growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumers temporarily relocalize their seafood purchases. This growth underscores the importance of functional diversity in supply chains and regional food systems for resilience, with policy changes and data col...
Researchers studying quantum materials aim to design new materials with novel thermal properties, potentially enhancing energy efficiency in devices. Sheila Edalatpour's work may lead to breakthroughs in thermophotovoltaic waste heat recovery, electronic devices, and thermal diodes.
A global climate dynamic study suggests that shifts in the Southern Hemisphere westerly wind belt can trigger rapid, global changes in atmospheric temperature. This 'Zealia Switch' mechanism relates to ocean currents and heat engine releases, influencing glacier growth.
Thomas Schwartz is advancing his dissection of the Lebedev process, a multi-step chemical reaction used to make butadiene from biomass-derived ethanol. Understanding this process will help create new catalysts for increased butadiene yield.
The Autonomous Vehicle Assistant (AVA) smartphone app provides navigational assistance for people with disabilities and seniors to use self-driving cars. The app offers a multisensory interface, GPS technology, real-time computer vision, and artificial intelligence to support navigation and vehicle access.
The study found new biomarkers related to changes in protein function involved in novel regulatory mechanisms of metabolic and immunological pathways in blue mussels, soft-shell clams, Eastern oysters, and Atlantic jackknife clams. Biomarker identification will benefit the aquaculture industry.
A University of Maine-led research team studied hundreds of North American tree species and found that only 50% of their potential climatic habitats are actually inhabited. This suggests that trees may struggle to keep pace with climate change, highlighting the need for more sophisticated predictive tools for conservation.
A University of Maine-led team developed a model, Power Theory, which suggests that demography played a crucial role in the transition from egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies to centralized authority. The researchers found a correlation between population density and size, and the change in power dynamics in early Peruvian societies.
A study led by The Jackson Laboratory and University of Maine found that the expression of Dlgap2 is associated with memory loss in mice and risk for Alzheimer's dementia in humans. Dlgap2 influences the formation of dendritic spines on neurons, which can affect cognitive function.
A 14,000-year paleoecological reconstruction found that seabird establishment led to changes in Falkland Islands ecosystems through guano deposition. This terrestrial-marine link is critical for grasslands conservation efforts, as nutrients from marine ecosystems enrich the islands' nutrient-poor soil.
Researchers used leaf reflectance spectra to illuminate the evolution of seed plants over 350 million years, revealing phylogenetic diversity and constraints on spectral variation. The study's findings have significant implications for monitoring plant biodiversity and ecosystem function.
The University of Maine will host the 27th NSF EPSCoR National Conference in November 2021 with a focus on 'translating stakeholder needs into impactful research outcomes.' The conference aims to increase research capacity and advance STEM education in jurisdictions that have historically received limited funding from NSF.
A new research initiative aims to predict and help rural communities adapt to climate change's impact on biodiversity. The project develops novel approaches for modeling, visualizing, and forecasting spatial and temporal data.
A two-year project is prototyping miniature fitness trackers and environmental sensors to monitor lobsters' health and shipping conditions. The devices aim to reduce mortality and improve survival in the lobster supply chain, valued at nearly half a billion dollars annually.
A team of scientists identified a gene mutation that causes distal arthrogryposis (DA), a condition characterized by joint deformities and muscle loss. The MYLPF gene plays a crucial role in normal muscle development and function, and its mutations can lead to reduced muscle strength and degeneration.
Researchers Liping Yu and Yingchao Yang will develop new battery and supercapacitor materials using artificial intelligence-aided design. The project aims to overcome limitations in current energy storage devices by predicting, synthesizing, and characterizing new 2D materials.
A team of researchers from UMaine and UMass Amherst has developed a novel membrane technology inspired by the pitcher plant, aiming to capture COVID-19 airborne droplets efficiently. The project uses a composite material with a liquid layer on the surface of a membrane to trap pathogenic particles.
Two new studies analyze the role of warming oceans and local conditions in shaping lobster populations, suggesting a period of decline for the Gulf of Maine fishery. The American Lobster Settlement Index provides an accurate prediction of lobster abundance four to six years later.
A new study aims to explore ways to share decision-making and information between humans and AI drivers, addressing concerns about perceived loss of control and fear of unknown actions. The goal is to increase user trust, consumer acceptance, and overall usability of autonomous vehicles.
A recent study led by University of Maine researchers found rapid and strong environmental changes in West Greenland's Arctic ecosystem. The research team discovered a tight coupling between climate shifts and environmental responses, including increased ice sheet discharge and advanced plant phenology.
Researchers at UMaine have discovered a connection between an influenza virus surface protein and a host cell lipid, which could lead to new antiviral therapies. The study found that the protein hemagglutinin interacts with the host cell lipid PIP2, potentially allowing for targeted treatments despite frequent viral mutations.
The study examines how ocean acidification affects iron availability to phytoplankton, a critical nutrient for marine productivity. Researchers aim to develop proxies for quantifying iron availability under present and future ocean acidification conditions.
Children in Alaska may have elevated cancer risk due to insecticides like DDT in the meltwater, especially those who rely on fish as a staple diet. Researchers found that even low levels of organochlorine pollutants can increase cancer risk for youth and adults.
A reanalysis of worldwide annual precipitation trends reveals overlooked risks to human and environmental systems, affecting nearly 40% of the global population and 44% of land areas. The study highlights significant regional variations in precipitation risk and variability, emphasizing the need for more accurate risk assessments.
A team of researchers identified potential decisions that maximize combined ecological and economic benefits by simulating trade-offs and using machine-learning approach. They found opportunities to improve balance between certain criteria by coordinating multiple dam decisions at larger spatial scales.
Small-scale fisheries, such as soft-shell clams in Maine, are threatened by climate change, invasive species and unsustainable land use. Co-management approaches, based on shared responsibility, can build resilience by strengthening science-based decision making and promoting adaptive capacities like learning and leadership.
A recent study maps the global trade routes for lobster, revealing that a growing number of nations are acting as middlemen, making it difficult to trace seafood origins and anticipate market demand changes. The Asian market, particularly China, appears to be significantly larger than previously thought, putting Maine's industry at risk.
A new study found that marine protected areas (MPAs) can help coral reefs recover from the damaging effects of global climate change. MPAs resulted in a 62% increase in young corals density, improving the ecosystem's ability to recover from major impacts like hurricanes and coral bleaching.
A new theory explains how cooperation can lead to sustainable resource use by fostering tight-knit groups under high pressure to preserve resources. This is illustrated through the examples of Maine's lobster and blueberry industries, where cooperation has helped maintain populations and livelihoods.
The Gulf of Maine is warming at a rate of 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade, with summer temperatures increasing by two months in the last three decades. This has significant implications for marine species such as lobster and herring, which are shifting their distribution patterns in response to the changing climate.
The Porphyra genome revealed insights into its survival in extreme environments, including ultraviolet protection and thermal tolerance. The research also found a reduced cytoskeleton and unique signaling molecules that contribute to the species' small stature.
A team of researchers explores the disproportionate ecological importance of small natural features, highlighting their significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. These elements, such as salt marshes and rocky outcrops, are often overlooked but can provide resources that limit key populations or support unusual diversity.
At nearly 4,500 meters above sea level, a team led by University of Maine researchers has discovered the highest altitude ice age human occupation, dating it to around 12,000 years ago. This finding pushes back the known high-altitude habitation period by nearly a millennium.
Despite modest regional growth in creative individuals, some cities experienced rapid job growth in the creative economy between 1999 and 2003. Creative occupations including engineers, educators, and scientists saw an average $20,000 annual increase in earnings compared to non-creative jobs.
The University of Maine is investing $10M in forest biorefining research to create new products from wood, including fuel ethanol, plastics and specialty chemicals. The project will also explore ways to sustain forests and make them more valuable to the economy.
A team of researchers has discovered evidence of cultivated corn in southern Peru dating back to around 3,600-4,000 years ago, challenging long-held beliefs about the origins of agriculture in the region. The discovery, made using microfossil analysis, also highlights the potential of this technique as a new tool for archeologists.
Recent protected habitats are recovering after six years of closure, showing signs of stability. Complex bottom habitat is crucial for small fish populations, and gear like rock hopper reduces habitat complexity.
A mutation in clams has been discovered that protects them against paralytic shellfish poisoning, but increases the risk to humans who consume them. The mutation enables contaminated clams to survive in areas with toxic algae, highlighting a need for new safety protocols.
A new study by UMaine researchers found that consistency in sleeping arrangements is crucial for infants' nighttime sleep. The study suggests that changing sleeping arrangements can be disruptive to sleep and contribute to night-time anxiety in infants.
Researchers investigate iron's impact on phytoplankton growth in the sub-Arctic Pacific, a crucial nutrient for ocean life. The findings could inform strategies to mitigate global warming by addressing the ocean's ecological dynamics.
Researchers have developed a new method to estimate global ocean productivity by analyzing the amount of carbon in phytoplankton, using satellite data and ocean color. This approach may lead to significant revisions in estimates of ocean carbon absorption and new understanding of marine ecosystems.
Researchers found that increased solar radiation affects calcium and sodium deposition in Antarctica, indicating a link between solar activity and climate. This discovery sheds light on the Earth's climate system without accounting for human impacts.
Researchers describe a process regulated by Hedgehog gene that induces formation of fast twitch muscles from slow twitch cells in zebrafish embryos. The findings provide insights into muscle development and potential models for muscular dystrophy.
Researchers are developing new technologies to extract hemicelluloses from wood chips, which can be converted into fuel ethanol, industrial polymers, and composite products. The goal is to create an integrated forest products biorefinery that increases paper production while reducing costs.
A 20-year study found that high blood pressure is associated with a decline in cognitive function in both younger and older adults. The research emphasizes the importance of reducing blood pressure levels in younger individuals to prevent cognitive decline.
Acheson's work uses rational choice theory to understand how groups develop rules to conserve resources, with applications to managing other threatened natural resources. He is recognized for his contributions to applied anthropology and public policy.
Researchers from UMaine and China collaborate on a joint expedition to study atmospheric circulation and global warming. They successfully melted an 87-meter ice core using a device built at UMaine, shedding light on changes in the region's climate.
A new stable phase in the Gulf of Maine marine ecosystem has emerged, marked by expansive kelp beds and the dominance of crabs and lobsters. This change is attributed to a drastic reduction in top predators like cod, leading to trophic-level dysfunction.