A recent study by University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers suggests that the destruction of oyster reefs in New York Harbor led to a significant increase in storm-induced overwash deposition. The authors found that before European settlement, oyster beds absorbed wave energy, providing coastal protection.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Oxford University describe a new law for predicting wrinkle wavelength on curved surfaces, enabling the use of wrinkles to sculpt surface topography. Experimental results support the validity of this local law, which incorporates mechanical and geometrical effects.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have identified a new molecular property that could lead to more efficient and cost-effective materials for cell phone and laptop displays. The property, directional intrinsic charge separation, was found in crystalline nanowires of an organic semiconductor molecule known as TAT.
A new study from UMass Amherst found that older adults report feeling more serenity and having a richer concept of what it means to feel serene. They also exhibit fewer depressive symptoms and less shame associated with negative emotions compared to younger adults.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and colleagues report that the Antarctic ice sheets are more susceptible to rising atmospheric CO2 levels than previously believed. The findings suggest large changes in the ice sheets could occur at lower CO2 levels than previously studied, highlighting a need for improved climate modeling.
The Integrated Urban Metabolism Analytical Tool (IUMAT) will measure, evaluate and predict the impacts of urban systems on climate change and energy security. The tool aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of urban sustainability policies to guide growth and development in a coordinated, sustainable way.
A study led by UMass Amherst ecologist Kristina Stinson examines climate change's impact on maple syrup quality, including its chemical composition. The researchers aim to predict maple syrup quality under future climate conditions and explore management strategies.
Houmansadr aims to create a theoretical model to lead to new anti-blocking tools, analyzing current censor-circumvention systems and employing game theory, network science, and information theory. Emerging communication devices like content caching and cloud computing will be used to design sustainable ways to circumvent censorship.
Cognitive neuroscientist Rosie Cowell is using a five-year grant to develop and test a theory of memory interaction with fine-grained visual perception. She will use computational modeling and memory experiments to investigate how the medial temporal lobe affects both memory and visual perception.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a $4.2 million grant to establish a CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program, which will support 28 students in their pursuit of careers in cybersecurity. The program aims to address the national shortage of highly trained experts in this field.
Professor Sitaraman's research on Internet-scale distributed networks has had a far-reaching impact on how people access the internet. He is recognized for his role in creating Akamai network, one of the world's largest CDNs, delivering 15-30% of global web traffic.
Patients with high-deductible health plans use 7.5% fewer diagnostic tests like MRI, X-rays, and CT scans than those without such plans. High-deductible plans may discourage test use due to lack of informed decision-making by patients.
A team of molecular biologists has found a gene that encodes a protein recognizing cell membranes surrounding symbiotic bacteria, directing other proteins to harvest nutrients. This discovery reveals the fundamental mechanisms behind plant-microbe interactions, with implications for future agricultural advances.
A team of UMass Amherst computer scientists designed an algorithm to rapidly remove inventor ambiguity from patent records, improving searches. The winning approach will be incorporated into the USPTO's new online platform, PatentsView, providing users with more efficient and effective search capabilities.
Using 20 years of fMRI data, researchers found that cognitive function and abstract thought exist as an agglomeration of many cortical sources. They developed a geometry-based method to analyze brain activity, revealing a hierarchy of abstraction related to the connectome structure of the whole human brain.
Katherine Zeller, a UMass Amherst doctoral candidate, won a Switzer Environmental Fellowship to develop effective corridors for wildlife between protected areas and populations. Her research uses GPS telemetry collars and genetics to model animal movement and design conservation strategies.
A UMass Amherst chemist has received a $330,000 NSF grant to improve the production of fuels from plant biomass. The project aims to optimize shape-selective catalysis in zeolites for efficient conversion of carbohydrates into gasoline.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has granted $478,000 to researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to develop a vaccine against trypanosomiasis, a fatal disease of cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. The vaccine aims to enhance the immune response of infected hosts to control the disease.
Lili He will study mechanisms of how chemical pesticides penetrate fresh produce and move into plant tissues, affecting food safety for consumers. Her research uses innovative SERS techniques to detect trace amounts of pesticides without damaging samples.
A 15-year study found that high summer air temperatures have a significant impact on Eastern brook trout populations, particularly on the smallest fry and eggs. The researchers predict that if climate warming proceeds as projected, these fish could become extinct in 15 years unless they evolve to adapt.
A prospective study of 1,257 women with PMS and 2,463 symptom-free controls found a 40% higher risk of developing high blood pressure over 20 years among those with moderate-to-severe PMS symptoms. Women with PMS were also more likely to develop hypertension before age 40, with a three-fold increased risk.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified a key molecule in nitrogen-fixing bacteria that may hold promise for improving crop yields without increasing fertilizer use. The discovery of the 'double agent' peptide could be a key factor in future efforts to improve legume crops and promote sustainable farming practices.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are exploring the potential impact of Antarctica's ice sheet melting on global climate. They will use a high-resolution ocean model to simulate iceberg calving and freshwater discharge, which could disrupt ocean currents and circulation in the North Atlantic.
A new analysis found that global maternal mortality rates declined by 43.9% between 1990 and 2015, with the largest decreases seen in Eastern Asia, where the rate fell from 95 to 27 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, the decline was lower in other regions, falling short of the UN's 75% goal.
A UMass Amherst biologist is developing a new liver model using extra-embryonic tissue to study liver function and mechanisms. The model, which uses tissues from the yolk sac, offers a simpler alternative to traditional liver models, allowing for more efficient analysis of gene expression and protein production.
A UMass Amherst study aims to create a market for locally sourced timber by using underused wood species in cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction. CLT's structural viability will be demonstrated, and computer models will be developed for advanced engineering analysis and design.
The UMass Amherst team aims to develop tools and techniques that enable data management systems to protect private data from being used for unintended purposes. They plan to use differential privacy, adding statistical noise to query outputs to ensure accurate information while protecting individual privacy.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified key factors controlling bacterial proteolysis, a crucial cell process. The discovery provides a new target for developing antibiotics with high potential to avoid triggering drug resistance.
Alexandra Meliou, a computer scientist at UMass Amherst, has received an NSF CAREER award to design new technologies that enhance data insights and improve data quality. Her work aims to address the issue of misused data due to lack of curating and validation.
A new study suggests that atmospheric chemistry models in use now may not capture the right mix of compounds emitted from trees and their oxidation products. The researchers found that representing the forest as a single dominant tree species or a blend of a few can lead to inaccurate ozone pollution predictions.
Researchers have developed a new computational tool to predict nanometer-level molecular interactions, enabling the design of stable and functional nano-scale materials. The 'Gecko Hamaker' project provides transparent calculations and data, allowing users to verify reproducibility and improve the software's quality.
Researchers at UMass Amherst propose a multivariate simulation approach to assess climate-land use effects on watersheds. The study recommends increased green infrastructure and best management practices to enhance watershed resilience.
Consolidation of small populations and protected areas are key to saving the critically endangered species, researchers say. The study provides vital data to support a final attempt to prevent extinction, with priority forest protection zones identified as irreplaceable.
Researchers at UMass Amherst are developing smart energy services that use data from Holyoke Gas & Electric Co.'s smart meters to reduce peak demand, promote local renewable energy and save customers money. The services will also provide real-time notifications for unusual energy usage and suggested conservation tips.
The UMass Amherst program aims to explore new models for graduate education, including T-shaped skills and collaborative work. Students will receive a graduate certificate in Soft Materials for Life Sciences and be prepared for the 21st century global economy.
Researchers at UMass Amherst found that as geckos become larger, their bodies act like springs, becoming stiffer and enabling them to climb effectively. The team measured the adhesive ability of five species, finding a strong correlation between body size and stiffness.
Researchers at UMass Amherst aim to develop a reliable, predictive computational framework for designing better-performing materials with reduced development costs. The new approach will address challenges in handling complex systems with millions of variables, rare events, and multi-scale features.
Using ultrathin sheets, researchers have discovered a new regime of wrapped shapes that can efficiently contain toxic or corrosive liquids. The technique, which uses capillary action to wrap droplets in film, enables the creation of non-spherical shapes with minimal material waste.
A team of researchers at UMass Amherst has developed a way to use curved creases to give thin curved shells a fast, programmable snapping motion. This technique avoids the need for complicated materials and fabrication methods, enabling rapid shape changes in structures.
A three-year NSF-funded grant will support research on how brain cells regulate locomotion in zebrafish. The project aims to understand the role of neurotransmitters, particularly GABA, and identify specific receptor types that control movement.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is set to commercialize its intelligent tutor, MathSpring, a software designed to provide personalized math lessons for K-12 students. The technology has shown promise in improving student performance by up to 10% on standardized test scores.
The researchers developed a new algorithm using geometric matching and machine learning to analyze style similarity in 3D objects. They achieved an agreement rate of 90% with human evaluations, making it a valuable tool for computer graphics applications.
Researchers aim to understand how plants cope with stress at the molecular level, focusing on the regulatory protein GSNOR and its role in nitric oxide regulation. The study has potential to uncover plant adaptation mechanisms and inform efforts to improve plant fertility.
Sandra Petersen will lead a pilot mentoring network for underrepresented minority faculty women in STEM at 20 Northeast institutions. The program aims to provide networking opportunities and problem-solving sessions to address issues of isolation, marginalization, and self-confidence.
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the workings of an error correction mechanism that helps cells detect and correct mistakes in cell division. The study reveals the crucial importance of chromosome position in the spindle and how it affects division success, shedding light on aneuploidy prevention.
A new study found that climate models significantly disagree on the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide sequestered in Northern Eurasian tundra and boreal ecosystems. The region's land carbon sink has been strengthening in recent decades, but some models now show signs of weakening.
Researchers analyzed data from 119 countries, finding that education is the strongest predictor of climate change awareness globally. In contrast, understanding human causes of climate change is a stronger predictor of risk perception in Latin America and Europe, while local temperature changes are more important in Africa and Asia.
A five-year grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture will support a graduate training program combining laboratory research and practical application to enhance food safety in the produce industry. The program aims to develop tested, validated methods to reduce food safety risks in an affordable way.
A new study by David Moorman and Gary Aston-Jones found that neurons in both dorsal and ventral prefrontal cortex work together to control behavior, rather than separate areas controlling 'going' and 'stopping' actions.
Researcher Laura Vandenberg is studying the role of BPS, an estrogen-mimicking chemical found in plastics and food packaging, on breast cancer risk. Exposure to these chemicals in the womb may increase breast cancer risk decades later.