Physicists and materials scientists are using origami-based folding methods to create controllable new materials that exhibit desired physical properties. The technique, known as Miura-ori, allows for the creation of programmable metamaterials with tunable stiffness and stability.
A team led by Dr. Edward Debold is using a single molecule laser trap assay to directly observe muscle fatigue at the molecular level. They aim to understand how metabolites disrupt muscle contraction and develop new drug therapies to enhance function under fatigue-like conditions.
Researchers tracked bigeye tuna movements for up to 292 days, revealing a wide geographical range from Georges Bank to the Brazilian shelf. The study provides valuable habitat use data and informs future management approaches for this commercially important species.
A three-year grant will measure indoor air quality in tents used by Native subsistence hunters in subarctic North America to determine possible health effects of wood smoke exposure. The study aims to provide information on emissions mitigation methods and improve understanding of multipollutant emissions.
Researchers are investigating whether brain estrogens enhance learning and memory in young birds and adults, with the goal of developing targeted treatments for cognitive disorders. Studies will use drugs to manipulate estrogen levels and electrophysiology to assess memory consolidation.
A new literature review challenges decades-old risk assessment methods used for toxicologists, arguing that oral gavage does not accurately model human dietary exposures. The authors propose exploring alternatives to mimic human exposures when there are multiple routes of exposure and chronic exposure.
A new generation of internet is being developed with improved security, greater mobility and other features, researchers say. The transition will be gradual and seamless, with small groups adopting new apps and software before the old Internet disappears.
A new three-year study led by environmental health scientist Richard Pilsner examines the possible influence of paternal phthalate exposure on sperm quality and embryo development. The research aims to determine if a father's environmental health contributes to reproductive success and how this is transmitted to offspring.
Researchers at UMass Amherst developed a faster method for detecting and separating microbial contamination from food, potentially saving time and expense. The new technique uses magnetically charged beads to quickly remove disease-causing bacteria from liquid samples.
A recent study by evolutionary biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that a mutation in a single gene during development can lead to different consequences, including changes in jaw shape and feeding strategies. This genetic variation predicts differences in feeding mechanics and alters skull structure.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Washington found that underage male college students who report using marijuana in the previous 28 days had a high prevalence of driving under its influence. The study also revealed that riding with a marijuana-using driver was more...
Researchers found that oxytocin increased two facial gestures associated with social interactions in infant rhesus monkeys. The hormone promoted more communicative behavior, including lip smacking and standing close to caregivers, in strong imitators, suggesting its potential as a treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and INPA discovered a new genus and species of electric knifefish in the Negro River, revealing unique features such as electric organs and distinct pulse patterns. The discovery is expected to contribute to a better understanding of Amazonian biodiversity and its adaptations.
Researchers analyzed breeding bird surveys for 40 songbird species over 35 years and found they shifted either northward or to higher elevation in response to climate change. This suggests previous studies may have underestimated the effects of environmental warming by only looking at one factor.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new version of Geckskin, a gecko-like adhesive that can adhere to various surfaces like drywall and wood. The material exhibits the ability to stick and release on different surfaces, opening up possibilities for innovative technologies in homes, offices, or outdoors.
Researchers analyzed stomach contents of pygmy and dwarf sperm whales to better understand their feeding ecologies. The study found that while the two species share similar foraging parameters, pygmy sperm whales consume a greater diversity and size of prey.
A satellite tagging study of migrating New England leatherback turtles has greatly improved understanding of their seasonal high-use habitats, diving activity, and response to ocean features. The study found that leatherbacks prefer habitats with specific ecoregion, topography, and sea surface temperature conditions.
Researchers found that several chemotherapy drugs cause hyper proliferation in stem cells, leading to tumor recurrence. The study used fruit flies as a model, discovering compounds that inhibit tumors without causing this side effect.
Basic biological research on unusual animal adaptations has led to significant economic and social benefits, including the development of DNA replication techniques and gecko-inspired adhesives. The authors argue that studying 'odd' science ideas can drive innovation and improve education and health.
Researchers found that male chipping sparrows form 'dear enemy' alliances with weaker neighbors to prevent stronger rivals from moving in. In a surprise discovery, these coalitions were shown to be rare and often based on specific vocal relationships.
A study by University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers found that flowers are ideal venues for the transmission of microbes among plants and animals. The authors identified eight major groups of animal pathogens potentially transmitted at flowers, including fungi, bacteria, and RNA viruses.
A new radar network offering higher resolution data and earlier warning of severe weather has been installed in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The system provides finer resolution and improved data on rainfall amounts, wind shear, and tornado signatures within storms.
The mathematician's work has led to a better understanding of how fiber optics can be made more stable and robust. His research involves marrying mathematics and physics to study the behavior of solitary waves in various structures, including optical waveguide arrays and granular crystals.
Researchers have established a new biomarker for stress in wild animals, using hair cortisol concentration (HCC) to monitor polar bears affected by global climate change. The technique has been successfully applied to analyze cortisol levels in polar bear hair samples from the past century.
A new approach combines evolutionary and engineering analyses to identify biom Mechanical functions favored by natural selection in diverse species, including New World leaf-nosed bats. The study reveals three optimal snout shapes favored by natural selection, with mechanical advantage being more important than structural strength.
Researchers aim to re-shape nanoemulsion-based delivery systems to increase absorption of nutraceuticals like flavonoids and carotenoids in the gastrointestinal tract. The goal is to improve bioavailability, potentially offering health benefits such as anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer effects.
Magdalena Bezanilla's four-year, $600,000 grant will help explore how cells control delivery of building blocks for the extracellular matrix in plants. The research will use a moss species with a known genome to manipulate DNA changes and evaluate protein secretion effects.
Researchers are monitoring air pollution levels and their impact on health using advanced methods like X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The study aims to measure the specific chemical makeup of polluted air and its effects on human health.
Researchers suggest that rehabilitation strategies combining meditation-like practices with drug and behavior therapies are more effective than drug-plus-talk therapy alone. The study proposes that meditation can aid in cognitive recovery and provide additional benefits for individuals overcoming addiction.
A research team has documented rarely seen pre-spawning behavior in bonefish, which should aid future conservation efforts. The study tracked a school of over 10,000 bonefish as they completed their spawning migrations in the Bahamas.
A new review finds that sea level rise and shoreline retreat are the two most certain factors expected to increase future flood risk from tropical cyclones. Accelerated sea level rise will significantly intensify flooding by these storms.
Researchers discovered that Methanosaeta, a prominent methane-producing microorganism, produces methane by making electrical connections with other microorganisms. This finding challenges previous understanding of methane production and has significant implications for optimizing bioenergy strategies.
The researchers aim to design efficient and cost-effective bimetallic catalysts for clean hydrogen fuel production. The team will develop new mathematical tools to quantify uncertainty and sensitivity in these complex systems.
Astronomers at UMass Amherst and UT at Austin identify the most distant galaxy, with a redshift parameter of z = 7.51, indicating it is 700 million years old. The discovery challenges theories on galaxy formation and suggests intense star-forming galaxies may be more common than thought.
Researchers found that partial degradation of a DNA replication protein is necessary for the survival of Caulobacter crescentus. The energy-dependent protease ClpXP generates specific-sized fragments required for normal growth and DNA repair, challenging previous assumptions about protein digestion in bacteria.
Researchers from UMass Amherst and international partners report advances in understanding sperm capacitation, a crucial step in IVF. By bypassing early problems, they may improve IVF success rates and potentially lead to a male contraceptive.
Researchers have discovered a way to kinetically trap liquids within each other, creating stable systems that can be tailored to specific shapes and flow characteristics. This breakthrough holds promise for applications such as drug delivery, fluidics, and energy storage.
A UMass Amherst researcher conducted the largest-ever scientific study on video ad effectiveness, analyzing over 257 million ads and 367 million videos. The study found that viewers who return to a site have higher completion rates for all ad categories, while ads inserted in long-form content are more likely to be watched to completion.
Physicist Jennifer Ross is using a super-resolution microscope to study the organization of proteins and organelles inside cells. By understanding these fundamental workings, she hopes to uncover the universal physical laws governing cell development and organization.
Researchers from the UMass Amherst Psychology of Peace and Violence program argue that social psychology can be used to promote nonviolence and peace. They emphasize the importance of increasing empathy and understanding of others in reducing conflict, and highlight the need for more research on constructive approaches to violence.
Psychology researcher Nilanjana Dasgupta aims to identify solutions to the 'leaky pipeline' issue, where women and minorities lose interest in STEM subjects. The study explores classroom dynamics and peer relationships to enhance STEM teaching practices and attract more girls and students of color.
A UMass Amherst study found that daytime naps improve memory and visual-spatial task performance in preschool children. Children who napped did significantly better on a test after a nap and the next day compared to those who didn't nap.
A UMass Amherst polymer scientist is working on a four-year, $1.08M grant to develop new ways to control the process of reading precise nucleotide order in DNA chains as they pass through a nanopore. The goal is to create cheaper, faster and more accurate gene sequencing for medical research and healthcare.
A team of astronomers used NASA's Chandra X-ray space telescope to solve a long-standing mystery about super massive black hole accretion rates. They found that most SMBHs swallow very little cosmic material and instead reject hot gases due to their high temperatures.
UMass Amherst microbiologist Jim Holden launches new studies on microbes living deep in undersea volcanoes, funded by private philanthropists. His work addresses questions about the first life on Earth and potential microbial life on other planets.
Researchers have found that mature-looking galaxies existed 11.5 billion years ago, pushing back the timeline of galaxy formation by 2.5 billion years. This discovery confirms the Hubble Sequence, a classification system used to describe galaxy morphology, even at early stages of the universe's history.
Calabrese's research reveals how the linear no-threshold dose-response approach was adopted despite experimental support for a threshold model. He accuses two geneticists of suppressing evidence to prevent consideration of an alternative model.
A new study by psychologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that how well co-parenting couples work together is linked to fewer behavior problems in their adopted children, regardless of their sexual orientation. The research suggests that harmonious relationships and cooperation are more important than division of ch...
Researchers analyzed a unique 40-year data set to estimate short-term cross-protection between multiple dengue strains. The findings suggest that after an initial infection, a person is protected from other strains for 1 to 3 years.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Lahore University of Management Sciences are developing affordable test strips to detect pathogenic bacteria in drinking water. The project aims to address water safety concerns in Lahore, where over 60% of water sources are contaminated with disease-causing bacteria.