Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a 'green' conducting material using microbial nanowires, which can be mass-produced at room temperature from inexpensive renewable feedstocks. This breakthrough could accelerate the development of novel electronic devices and sensors with environmentally friendly technology.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst predict that Northeast US temperatures will increase much faster than the global average, reaching a 2-degrees Celsius warming target about 20 years earlier. The study finds regional variations in climate change impacts, including wetter winters and drier summers.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers found that bisphenol S (BPS) exposure during pregnancy and lactation impaired maternal behavior in mice, including increased infanticide rates. The compound also affected brain regions sensitive to estrogen, leading to changes in nesting behavior and care of offspring.
UMass Amherst nursing students are trained in the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) technique to identify signs of substance abuse and provide early interventions. The program aims to equip healthcare workers with skills to address addictive behaviors and promote holistic approaches to patient care.
A partnership between UMass Amherst and PCL Inc. has enabled researchers to screen thousands of promising molecules for potential as new drug therapies. The sol-gel capture technology allows for highly sensitive target-molecule detection in chemically complex plant samples.
A new study found that paternal phthalate exposure before conception may be associated with lower-quality embryos, with certain chemicals inversely linked to high-quality blastocysts. The research, published in Human Reproduction, suggests a potential link between preconception environmental health and reproductive success.
Researchers found that nine out of 11 mountain bird species shifted their lower boundaries downslope, defying expectations. The study highlights the need for caution when applying conventional expectations to species' responses to climate change.
Researchers found that tooth shape influenced diet and feeding biomechanics, with selection favoring maximum damage, not just force or energy. The study used 3D-printed replicas of ancient mammal teeth to test the impact of different diets on early mammals.
Laura Vandenberg, a UMass Amherst environmental health scientist, has won the 2016 Pearl Award for her work on endocrine disrupting chemicals. Her research reveals associations between low-level chemical exposures and disease, highlighting the need for rethinking safe exposure limits.
The 'Digital Life' initiative aims to preserve the digital heritage of all life on Earth by creating 3D models of living organisms. Using the Beastcam Array, a rapid-capture system, scientists have already created models of sharks, scorpions, and other animals.
Researchers at UMass Amherst developed polymer-stabilized droplet carriers that can recognize and encapsulate nanoparticles for transport in a cell. These 'nanoparticle taxicabs' pick up particles on one surface and drop them off on another, representing the first successful translation of biological processes in materials science.
Researchers found that observers on aerial surveys miss some large animals, like elephants, due to factors such as herd size and habitat type. Their study suggests population estimates from aerial surveys are biased low by 13 percent, highlighting the importance of accurate counting for conservation efforts.
A new theory by Murugappan Muthukumar accurately measures charged macromolecules like proteins and DNA. The Stokes-Einstein formula works for charged molecules by accounting for small ions that neutralize charges.
Biologists at UMass Amherst have quantified the internal force during cell division, resolving a decades-long debate on how much force is involved. The study found that kinetochore fibers exert hundreds of piconewtons of poleward-directed force, settling the matter of how much force is brought to bear.
A team of astronomers led by Grant Wilson at UMass Amherst is building a state-of-the-art imaging system called TolTEC to study the heavens. The new camera will be part of the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) and offer improved sensitivity and speed, enabling groundbreaking surveys in star formation and galaxy evolution.
A new study by UMass Amherst researcher Bernhard Leidner investigates the consequences of national trauma for both victims and perpetrators. The research aims to explore how different perceptions of intergroup violence and trauma can escalate or de-escalate conflict.
Microbiologist Kristen DeAngelis receives $2.5 million grant from US Department of Energy to study soil microbes' impact on carbon cycle. The research aims to improve understanding of how climate change affects soil carbon storage and develop new methods for modeling microbial contributions to global carbon cycling.
Researchers propose new model of megaflood-carved landscapes, suggesting that deep canyons can be formed in bedrock by significantly less water than previously thought. This study applies numerical flood models to the 'channeled scablands' in eastern Washington State and Mars, revealing that channels were likely formed by flood dischar...
A new study from UMass Amherst finds that untreated lawns provide a rich diversity of flowers offering nectar and pollen to bees, boosting their populations. Researchers discovered 111 native bee species on lawns in suburban Springfield, Massachusetts.
The UMass Nursing UManage Center aims to develop technologies to help people with chronic illness manage fatigue and impaired sleep. The center will test wearable devices to monitor fatigue or sleep pattern changes, enabling patients to make informed decisions about their health activities.
Researchers created the largest data set for studying African-American English from online communication, analyzing 59 million tweets. They found that current NLP tools poorly identify African-American English as 'not English', implying worse information access for texts authored by African-Americans.
The Great Elephant Census reports a 30% decline in savannah elephant populations over the last decade, primarily due to poaching. The census estimates that there are currently around 352,271 savannah elephants in Africa, with conservation efforts facing significant challenges to protect these endangered animals.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new radio technology called Braidio that allows small mobile devices to offload energy consumption to larger devices, potentially extending battery life hundreds of times. This technology enables proportional sharing of power between devices, reducing the size and weight of wearable devices.
A global analysis of environmental risk from invasive alien species reveals that one sixth of the world's lands are 'highly vulnerable' to invasion. The study highlights the need for proactive policies and international cooperation to combat these threats.
Researchers found that cloth masks are only marginally beneficial in protecting people from particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, and remove only 39-65% of standard particles. The most commonly used cloth mask products perform poorly compared to alternative options.
A new study led by the Northeast Climate Science Center at UMass Amherst offers a framework for conserving areas naturally buffered from climate change. The researchers provide specific steps for identifying and managing climate change refugia, which can serve as short-term sanctuaries for species of conservation concern.
A study by UMass Amherst researcher Alicia Timme-Laragy investigates the link between early life pollutant exposure and future diabetes risk. The researchers will expose zebrafish embryos to toxic chemicals, aiming to understand how environmental contaminants affect pancreas development.
A recent research report reveals that water and solutes flowing into the Salar de Atacama salt flat originate from an unexpectedly large portion of the Andean Plateau. The deposit, 3,900 feet thick, drains an area four or five times larger than the topographic watershed, posing fundamental questions about hydrologic and solute budgets.
Researchers found that bird species with increasing populations occupy a broader range of climate conditions, while declining species lose their range. This discovery has practical applications for conservation biologists, who can use the new findings to develop more accurate habitat protection strategies.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have partnered with Chemists Without Borders to create a low-cost test kit for measuring arsenic in rice crops. The team hopes the kit will provide consumers with information on exposure and encourage protective measures, such as rinsing or choosing different varieties.
Researchers genetically designed a new strain of bacteria to produce extremely thin and highly conductive wires made from non-toxic natural amino acids. The resulting biowire has a conductivity that rivals many chemically produced organic nanowires, with potential applications in biocompatible sensors, computing devices, and solar panels.
UMass Amherst researchers develop a new framework for managing control transfer between humans and autonomous systems, enabling safe semi-autonomous vehicles. The approach leverages human strengths while capitalizing on machine capabilities.
A recent survey led by UMass Amherst researcher Zulmai Moheb confirms the existence of a small population of Bactrian deer in northern Afghanistan, a sub-species believed to have been extinct since the 1970s. The animals urgently need conservation due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.
Robert DeConto, a leading expert on climate modeling, has won the 2016 Tinker-Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica. His research integrating geological data with modeling reveals likely consequences for future sea level rise from ice sheet melt.
A team of researchers led by Sridhar Mahadevan is applying deep learning methods to analyze large amounts of scientific data from Mars. They hope to develop a practical tool for handling vast amounts of data created by various scientific instruments, including the NASA Curiosity rover.
Researchers will study pollinators at various sites to identify the insects responsible for spreading mummy berry disease and investigate how variations in insect visitation affect resistance levels among blueberry varieties. The study aims to reduce reliance on fungicides and help growers cope with the disease.
A UMass Amherst research team discovered the folding mechanism of serpin antithrombin III, a key protein in the blood coagulation pathway. They found that this protein folds to a higher-energy state, allowing it to function as a 'molecular mousetrap' and generate the work required for physiological functions.
Molecular microbiologists at UMass Amherst identify a distinct domain on the plasma membrane of Mycobacterium smegmatis, crucial for bacterial growth. The discovery provides insight into lipid metabolism and regulatory mechanisms in mycobacteria, potentially leading to new methods of inhibiting bacterial growth.
A group of European and US researchers has provided a clear framework for identifying endocrine-disrupting substances (EDCs) and regulating them. The report, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, defines EDCs as substances altering the hormonal system and causing adverse health effects.
A recent study by UMass Amherst researchers found that zinc deficiency is associated with chronic inflammation in HIV-positive individuals. Higher serum zinc concentrations were linked to lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of inflammation.
Research suggests that episodic memory is crucial for emotion recovery in midlife and older adults, who may struggle with negative emotions after a stressful event. The study found that stronger memory skills were linked to improved positive emotion regulation, suggesting that cognitive processes are closely intertwined.
Researchers are reconstructing past temperature and hydrology records in southern Greenland using high-resolution quantitative methods. This project sheds light on climate variations during the period of Norse settlement, which had been abandoned by the early 15th century due to various factors.
Research assistant professor Ezra Wood will investigate nighttime atmospheric chemistry of wildfires and their effect on climate. The study aims to quantify hydrogen oxide radicals and understand how long compounds last in the air.
Researchers predict that Antarctica's ice sheet could contribute up to 15 meters of sea-level rise by 2500 if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. An aggressive reduction in emissions could limit the risk of major Antarctic ice sheet retreat and associated sea-level rise.
Astronomers at UMass Amherst report the discovery of eight 'outrageously luminous' galaxies, which outshine previously brightest known galaxies. The newly observed galaxies are estimated to be about 10 billion years old and formed only 4 billion years after the Big Bang.
Researchers propose a new strategy integrating linear no-threshold (LNT) and hormetic dose-response models to optimize public health benefits. This approach reconciles conflicting methods, offering significant improvements in cancer risk assessment.
Researchers found that integrating motivational interviewing (MI) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improves long-term patient improvement rates for severe generalized anxiety disorder. MI helps patients address ambivalence and resistance, leading to better outcomes over a one-year follow-up period.
A team of researchers at UMass Amherst and Virginia Tech have identified the factors governing the final morphology of self-assembling chiral filament bundles. Their new model predicts the size and shape of these structures based on molecular-scale interactions, providing insights into protein fiber formation in various tissues.
The UMass Amherst entomologist is documenting the spread of the insect in Mexico to assess its impact on native plant diversity. The cycad aulacaspis scale threatens Mexico's 55 species of cycads, which are culturally important and vulnerable to extinction.
A team of researchers is developing a new mooring system for floating offshore wind turbines that uses an integrated network of anchors and lines to hold dozens or even hundreds of turbines in place. This proposed system aims to save money and require fewer anchors and geotechnical site investigations.