Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have been awarded $2.5 million to adapt their nanoparticle vaccine research to treat existing cancer. The prime-pull approach will deliver immune-activating medicines to both lymph nodes and tumors to create a robust immune response.
Researchers found that thieves can use stolen expired credit cards to make fraudulent charges by rewriting the expiration date. This loophole exists because credit card accounts do not expire with the physical card, and banks rely on the expiration date printed on the card for verification.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have designed an edge AI system that leverages hyperdimensional computing algorithms and analog in-memory computing hardware to achieve high accuracy and efficiency. The system achieved 95.24% accuracy in language identification while reducing computing resources by 90%.
A team of researchers led by UMass Amherst believes a second, undiscovered internal clock regulates brain energy-intensive work and may link neurobiological brain function to the body's circadian clock. The three-protein clock has deep evolutionary precedent and disruption could contribute to human disease.
A team of researchers at UMass Amherst has developed an AI model, DiffuDose, that generates a patient's radiation dose map with gold-standard accuracy in under 23 seconds. This technology has the potential to unlock the full potential of radiopharmaceutical therapy for prostate cancer treatment.
A UMass Amherst-led team is developing a new approach to prevent bladder cancer recurrence by exfoliating the bladder lining. The technology uses irreversible electroporation to target premalignant cells, offering a potential alternative to surgical removal or aggressive treatments.
A new study reveals that Supreme Court justices employ 'appeasement' strategies, including conciliatory language, to persuade their peers and preserve influence within the court. This measured approach helps justices work together despite deep ideological divisions, offering insights into the court's functioning.
A new award will help advance the proof-of-concept work toward commercialization of an at-home HIV test that detects cases not caught by lab tests. The device, called Click Chemistry Amplified Nanopore (CAN) sensing, has shown promising results in early studies.
A UMass Amherst-led study finds physicians with irritable patients experience increased anger, anxiety, and fatigue, leading to decreased engagement and quality of care. Patients' frustration affects doctors' emotional state and clinical assessments, ultimately resulting in poorer patient outcomes.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have discovered that grasses grow according to temperature, not light, unlike most other plants. The team used a bioluminescence imaging system to study the growth of purple false brome and found that temperature influences grass growth in complex ways.
A team of biologists led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst has discovered reproducing populations of the invasive Manila clam in Cape Cod and Boston Harbor. The finding marks a significant moment in the establishment of this non-native species, which is now spreading along the northwestern Atlantic coastline.
A team of researchers has developed a new method for finding effective tuberculosis drugs by leveraging the PAC-MAN technique and artificial intelligence. The approach uses machine learning models to predict which chemical compounds can penetrate the outer membrane of the bacteria, paving the way for more efficient drug discovery.
Researchers used eye-tracking technology to analyze how student nurses interact with intravenous smart pumps, identifying design flaws that lead to medication errors. The study found significant differences in usability and ease of use among four IV smart pumps, suggesting that interface design plays a critical role in user performance.
A study at Baystate Medical Center identified factors such as emergency surgeries, chest and heart procedures, and taxing operations affecting surgeons' schedules. These insights aim to optimize surgical scheduling, reduce waste, and improve patient outcomes.
Luis Márquez, a renowned expert in applied plant biology and biotechnology, will lead the UMass Amherst Cranberry Station. He aims to increase cranberry quality and health benefits, leveraging its medicinal food potential.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have discovered a way to make thermally insulative plastics by limiting heat-carrying vibrational channels, reducing thermal conductivity by 17% while maintaining flame-retardant behavior. This new design framework has promising applications in lightweight insulation materials and advanced building materials.
A new study reveals that consumers instinctively prefer hand-prepared foods due to the 'handmade food halo', associating human involvement with positive product attributes. However, providing targeted messaging can shift purchase intentions and make safer options more appealing.
Researchers from UMass Amherst have developed a new AI architecture called ANT that enables continuous learning and reduces energy consumption by orders of magnitude. Unlike human brains, which operate asynchronously, modern deep neural networks rely on synchronized computations, leading to high energy demands.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have designed a new therapy that combines engineered Salmonella bacteria with oncolytic viruses to target liver and pancreatic cancer. The treatment showed promising results in animal models, leading to significant tumor reduction and improved survival rates.
Researchers found that textile wastewater treatment produces high levels of toxic byproducts, including chloroform and bromoform, which pose significant health risks to workers and the environment. The study suggests that alternative treatment methods or improved worker protections may be necessary to mitigate these hazards.
A new study led by UMass Amherst researchers found that large-scale solar energy projects in the US encounter relatively little public conflict. The study analyzed 686 projects and found that 56% fell into 'no' or 'low' conflict categories.
A new study by UMass Amherst researchers found that lifestyle factors such as body weight, physical activity, and diet play a powerful role in shaping diabetes risk. More than half of new Type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented if people with less healthy lifestyles improve those behaviors.
An international team of astronomers, led by Daniela Calzetti, has observed the 'natal clouds' surrounding young star clusters for the first time. The study reveals that massive star clusters disperse their gaseous shroud faster and light up their galaxy earlier than smaller ones.
Li-Jun Ma's research discovered that the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense TR4 uses accessory genes for nitric oxide production to invade host plants, and eliminating two key genes reduced its virulence. Her work aims to develop novel fungicides and RNA interference technologies to control the spread of the pathogen.
A recent study reveals that Alaskan permafrost is thawing rapidly, leading to increased runoff, carbon releases, and altered coastal ecosystems. The research focused on a Wisconsin-sized area of Alaska's North Slope, simulating daily river flows and coastal exports over 44 years.
A multidisciplinary team at UMass Amherst invented a fabric treated with a special photothermal dye that can help keep homes warmer over the course of a day. The technology has the potential to reduce energy costs by up to 23% and combat climate change, high heating bills and gentrification.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have made a breakthrough in shrinking the size of quantum computers by integrating laser systems onto photonic chips. This technology has the potential to enable large-scale quantum computing and make optical clocks portable, with applications in fields such as deep space navigation and GPS.
A new analysis of existing studies found that nicotine e-cigarettes consistently help adults quit smoking, with quit rates approximately 20-40% higher than traditional nicotine replacement therapies. However, the effectiveness of e-cigarettes may be linked to sensory cues beyond just nicotine delivery.
Four UMass Amherst researchers have been elected as American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellows for their distinguished contributions to various fields. Om Parkash Dhankher's work in agricultural biotechnology has led to the development of arsenic-free rice and phytoremediation of toxic metals.
Researchers found that early adult drinking combined with stress leads to cognitive decline in middle age, with brains damaged beyond recovery. Heavy drinking rewires the brain's circuitry, impairing decision-making and increasing risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study led by UMass-Amherst biologists found that the 2021 Great Texas Freeze killed up to 27% of purple martins' breeding population, with effects felt for decades. The study also revealed that the affected birds delayed reproduction and hatched fewer chicks, and their population is already declining in Texas and Louisiana.
A recent study by UMass Amherst ecologists highlights massive gaps in data on insects and arachnids, which are crucial for ecosystems. The research found that almost 90% of species have no conservation status, with many states lacking protection for even a single species.
A team of astronomers led by UMass Amherst has discovered a population of dusty, star-forming galaxies at the edge of the universe, formed 13 billion years ago. These galaxies are linked to ultrabright, young galaxies and massive quiescent galaxies, providing new insights into galaxy evolution.
Chemists at UMass Amherst demonstrated that the soft gate regulating electrical flows in BK channels is inherently leaky, meaning it can't absolutely stop the flow of ions. This discovery points to a method for understanding how these channels work and malfunction.
A team of physicists at UMass Amherst has proposed a new model for black holes, the 'dark charge' model, which explains high-energy neutrinos and solves cosmic mysteries. The model suggests that quasi-extremal primordial black holes, with a 'dark charge,' could be the missing link in explaining the universe's fundamental nature.
A study co-led by UMass Amherst researchers identified hundreds of genes and proteins linked to Type 2 diabetes, many not captured by blood samples alone. The research found that genetic diversity across populations is crucial for identifying disease drivers.
Researchers used machine learning to evaluate 1,773 bus stops across Massachusetts, identifying 13 crash-relevant characteristics and proposing countermeasures. The study found that bus stop types in mixed-use arterial corridors and dense urban cores have the highest prevalence of crashes.
A UMass Amherst-led study suggests old-school analog computing can improve energy efficiency and computing speed in the IoT. Researchers have developed a brain-inspired sensing system that combines touch sensors and smart memory chips to reduce data transmission speeds.
Researchers at UMass Amherst create a platform technology to target and destroy cancer-causing proteins, offering tailored treatments for specific cancers. A separate approach delivers fully functional proteins to reprogram cancerous cells, restoring their normal function.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a unique tool for studying RNA, allowing them to observe its behavior inside live cells. The three-color method uses glowing proteins that target specific parts of the RNA molecule, providing valuable insights into RNA's functions and how they impact cellular health.
Researchers find ocean sediment supply crucial for salt marshes to keep pace with rising seas. Southern New England marshes are showing signs of stress due to declining coastal sediment supply.
Research led by UMass Amherst has pinpointed suitable habitats for Myanmar's Bengal tigers, Indochinese leopards, and Mainland clouded leopards. The study suggests that many existing protected areas will continue to be critical in the future, but require additional protection and connectivity solutions to ensure the big cats' survival.
Researchers at UMass Amherst found that reducing air exposure, fight times, water temperatures, and increasing angler education are crucial for a sustainable fishery. The team's study revealed that longer fights and higher water temps increase recovery time and stress on striped bass.
Researchers have identified a specific pollen signal from the cabbage family that governs species recognition, allowing plants to recognize which pollen grains are compatible and reject others. This breakthrough could pave the way for new crop species with improved traits.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst study found that gerrymandering in North Carolina resulted in reduced access to federally qualified health centers. ZIP codes with more gerrymandering had fewer health centers and were less likely to gain new ones, leading to longer travel distances for patients.
A new study by UMass Amherst and Brennan Center researchers found that mass shootings increase local voter turnout, particularly in Democratic areas, but have no effect on presidential vote choices. Turnout surged by up to 10 percentage points in neighborhoods near shootings.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed an app that uses Apple Watch data to monitor sleep stages and predict Alzheimer's disease risk. The app, BIDSleep, collects heart rate data and feeds it into an AI model that accurately identifies sleep stages 71% of the time.
The research aims to develop an intervention for incarcerated people to address the challenge of engaging with MOUD treatment after release. Massachusetts has received federal approval for a Section 1115 waiver to provide Medicaid benefits to incarcerated individuals, expanding access to healthcare and support services.
A Cochrane review suggests that switching to oral nicotine pouches from smoking reduces exposure to harmful substances, but the evidence is not yet clear on whether they can help people quit smoking. The review also notes that other nicotine products, like patches and gums, are beneficial for quitting smoking.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new tool, iConRNA, that provides an unrivaled look inside cells and can help solve the mystery of how devastating diseases develop. The tool resolves the balance of physical driving forces of phase separation and predicts how this balance is tuned under different cellular situations.