A study by UMass Amherst researchers found that the 2008 parity law increased Medicaid acceptance rates for substance use disorder treatment centers by more than 10 percentage points. The increase was attributed to an 8.4% boost in 2009, with higher acceptance rates in the Northeast and lower rates in the South and Southeast.
A panel of scientists recommends policy changes to address sexual harassment and gender bias in STEM fields, including requiring transparency in funding and internal grant funding. The recommendations aim to create inclusive professional environments for women in science.
The study found largely positive effects on employment and economy from the casino's operations, with a decrease in visitors but an increase in average gross gaming revenue per patron. Researchers also highlighted the potential risks of increased spending among patrons, which could impact their ability to meet financial obligations.
A review of 11 studies on cancer patients' sense of taste and smell reveals a reduced taste function, particularly for sweet flavors, associated with lower appetite and caloric intake. Researchers aim to develop strategies to help patients eat well during treatment.
A recent national-scale analysis found that invasive grasses can significantly increase wildfire risk, with some doubling fire frequency in affected areas. Eight non-native grass species, including cheatgrass and buffelgrass, were identified as major contributors to increased fire occurrence.
The UMass Amherst researchers have developed a portable sensing device capable of detecting and subtyping foodborne pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. This technology has the potential to quickly identify outbreaks and pinpoint the responsible food or ingredient.
The UMass Amherst team will expand research into the impact of phthalate exposure on male fertility and sperm epigenetics. The study aims to identify epigenetic signatures associated with phthalate exposures and altered sperm function, which may provide better preconception advising for couples.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and a Brazilian institute recorded the loudest bird calls ever documented by dove-sized male white bellbirds. The calls have sound pressure levels about three times that of screaming pihas, another Amazon species.
A UMass Amherst study explores 'name bias' in seafood choices by testing students' taste preferences for local whitefish alternatives. The research aims to promote sustainable seafood options and increase demand for locally sourced fish.
Researchers create wireless device to objectively assess social behavior and physical distance of people with schizophrenia, aiming to personalize treatment options. The device uses acoustic signals and GPS capabilities to collect data, which will be analyzed to find correlations with symptoms.
Cognitive psychology researchers found substantial variability in experts' judgments on the same data, suggesting a serious inference problem. The study aimed to test the accuracy of theoretical conclusions made by researchers and found that some applied complex techniques, while others made misleading conclusions.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been selected as a CDC Influenza Forecasting Center of Excellence, receiving up to $3 million in funding to develop accurate flu forecasting models. The team will work closely with the CDC and collaborate with industry partners to improve public health response and communication.
Karen Giuliano, a UMass Amherst Nursing associate professor, has been selected as AACN's 2020 Distinguished Research Lecturer for her work in medical device design and innovation. She will discuss her career and research journey at the AACN National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition.
The reports found that every county in Massachusetts saw some economic benefit from the construction, with benefits growing with proximity to Springfield. The study also revealed that two-thirds of construction workers and the construction budget went to Massachusetts-based firms.
A UMass Amherst research team will investigate the effect of a fruit and vegetable-rich diet on breast cancer risk in lactating women. The New Moms Wellness Study, funded by a $3.1 million NIH grant, aims to assess biomarkers of breast cancer risk using breastmilk.
A UMass Amherst climate scientist is contributing to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. The report assesses the latest scientific knowledge on sea-level rise, ocean changes, and their impacts on coastal communities.
Scientists at UMass Amherst and Perth Zoo have created the world's first accurate, publicly available 3D model of the endangered Southern white rhino. The model will be used for conservation efforts and educational purposes, providing a powerful tool to assess an animal's body condition in the field.
A research group led by Emery Berger has developed Mesh, a system that can automatically reduce memory demands in applications. By taking advantage of virtual memory hardware, Mesh effectively squeezes out memory gaps, resulting in significant reductions of up to 40% in memory usage for certain applications.
Biologists have directly observed and recorded branching microtubule nucleation in living fruit fly cells, a mechanism crucial to cell division. The technique enabled visualization of individual microtubules using TIRF microscopy, revealing that microtubule tips trigger the process.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst created a mathematical model to predict the degradation of vitamins in spaceflight food over time. The model enables NASA to accurately schedule resupplying trips and provide astronauts with essential nutrients, particularly thiamine, which degrades rapidly in certain foods like beef.
A new study by UMass Amherst researchers shows that out-of-state casino gambling among Massachusetts residents decreased significantly after the state's first slot parlor, Plainridge Park Casino, opened in 2015. The study found that only 3-10% of problem gamblers seek professional treatment, highlighting the need for alternative effect...
Researchers developed physiological-sensing textiles that can be woven into sleep garments to monitor heart rate and breathing rhythm. The technology, dubbed 'phyjama,' extracts signals from pressured regions of the textile to get a more accurate composite reading.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Cornell Lab of Ornithology have developed a machine learning system called MistNet to analyze large-scale bird migration data. The tool allows for automation of data processing, enabling scientists to extract valuable information on bird migrations over the continental US.
UMass Amherst researchers are using fNIRS and ECG to study the coordination of brain and heart activity in 3- to 5-year-olds, aiming to improve learning tools and mental health care for children. The study aims to understand what drives differences in self-regulation tendencies and how this relates to psychopathology.
Researchers at UMass Amherst discover that consuming fried foods can exacerbate conditions of the colon, including colonic inflammation and tumor growth. The study suggests that eating fried foods may make diseases like IBD more aggressive in susceptible individuals.
Researchers develop synthetic compartmentalization system that mimics biological functions, allowing for controlled chemical reactions and separation of materials. The system uses electrical charge to regulate the flow of materials and can be used in various applications such as drug delivery, wound treatment, and water purification.
A study by UMass Amherst researcher Elizabeth Evans found that individuals who perceived buprenorphine as unacceptable were least likely to use the medication during follow-up. The study also identified common reasons people disliking buprenorphine, such as negative physical reactions and side effects.
Massachusetts kids experienced a doubling of cannabis-related poison control calls after medical marijuana was legalized, with single-substance exposure increasing 140% and edible products linked to most age groups. The study calls for stronger regulations to prevent unintentional exposure among young children and enhanced efforts to p...
A team of scientists from UMass Amherst and China has developed a new dynamic, two-step process to break down tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a persistent global pollutant. The process uses sulfidated nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) to degrade TBBPA into harmless carbon dioxide and water.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst has developed a data-driven approach called DeepRoof that uses machine learning techniques and satellite images to identify rooftops with high solar potential, achieving accuracy of 91%. This method can speed up the process of rooftop installations by analyzing satellite images of entire cities.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have expanded the functions of conducting microbial nanowires, developing them into sustainable chemical and biological sensors. The new nanowires can be modified with peptides to specifically bind chemicals or biologics, offering promising possibilities for biomedical and environmental applications.
Researchers at UMass Amherst will study the impact of evidence-based medications and behavioral interventions on opioid use disorder in jail detainees. The goal is to develop effective intervention and treatment strategies to prevent relapse and overdose.
A four-year study will investigate how green sea turtles' reproductive behaviors influence the effects of climate change. The research team, led by Lisa Komoroske, will use genetic samples and satellite telemetry to estimate sex ratios and predict population viability under different climate scenarios.
Scientists at UMass Amherst and Beijing University have developed a way to transform paramagnetic ferrofluids into ferromagnetic liquid droplets, opening up new research areas such as liquid actuators and active-matter delivery. The resulting ultra-soft droplets can be controlled using an external magnetic field.
Research by UMass Amherst epidemiologist Youssef Oulhote found that women with gestational diabetes have a significantly higher rate of transferring synthetic chemicals to their fetus. The study examined blood and umbilical cord samples from 151 mother-newborn pairs in the Faroe Islands.
Research aims to reprogram immune system cells to target urothelial bladder cancer, a high-recurrence rate type with limited treatment breakthroughs. The new immunotherapy strategy could revolutionize bladder cancer treatment and increase survival rates.
A team of researchers has identified a critical variable that improves the efficiency of polymer-based heat energy harvesting. By exploring this new factor, they hope to design more efficient polymers for thermo-electric devices.
Researchers found that ACOs with a balance of primary care providers and specialists had lower annual spending per beneficiary. The study suggests policymakers consider adding medical specialists to ACO governance and creating better financial incentives for specialists.
A newly identified genus and species of freshwater clam, Lithoredo abatanica, was found to eat rocks and expel sand as it burrows in the Abatan River. The shipworm's unique anatomy has revealed new information about its ecosystem engineering capabilities.
A recent study by UMass Amherst researchers found that polar bears possess fewer copies of genes related to olfactory receptors and salivary amylase, adaptations that enable them to thrive on a fully carnivorous diet. This discovery sheds light on the genomic foundation of ecological adaptation in polar bear evolution.
Lillian Fritz-Laylin is a recipient of the Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences, which includes four years of funding to investigate complex mechanisms of biology. Her research focuses on understanding how cells deploy actin for various functions, with implications for disease prevention and progression.
Researchers have documented the unexpected presence of bush dogs in the Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica, where they are considered rare and seldom seen even in their native range. The discovery raises questions about the animals' expansion or re-emergence into the region.
Research by UMass Amherst epidemiologist Elizabeth Evans identified factors affecting women vets' use of VA-provided health care, including poor connections, limited knowledge, and uncomfortable environments. The study aims to inform improvements to VA health care design and delivery to better serve women veterans.
A study published in Sleep Health found that preschoolers who watch TV sleep significantly less than those who don't. The research suggests that TV use affects the quality and duration of sleep, and even stimulates or violent adult programming can interfere with children's ability to fall asleep.
A global meta-analysis reveals that invasive species can cause significant declines in native populations, especially when they reach higher trophic levels. Early detection becomes critical to prevent long-term damage. Strong policies are needed to prevent novel introductions and manage early stages of invasion.
A new report synthesizes existing evidence on phenological shifts in the Gulf of Maine, highlighting the need for increased research and data incorporation. Marine species are responding to climate change through timing changes, with fish, birds, and mammals affected in various ways.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers explores the effects of tai chi and mindfulness meditation on people with multiple sclerosis (MS), comparing their impact on physical balance and psychosocial well-being. The pilot study aims to validate community-based classes and lead to a larger scale study.
A new estimation method for assessing natural variations in the sex ratio at birth was developed by an international team of researchers. The study found regional baseline SRB imbalances and identified 12 countries with strong evidence of sex ratio inflation, leading to fewer female births than expected.
A team of international astronomers, including those from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, have successfully captured the first direct image of a supermassive black hole's event horizon. The image reveals the black hole at the center of Messier 87, a massive galaxy 55 million light-years from Earth.
A new study published in Addiction found that medication treatment for opioid use disorder significantly reduces the risk of arrest and incarceration. The research, led by UMass Amherst public health scientist Elizabeth Evans, used data from a large randomized clinical trial to compare the effects of two medications on social outcomes.