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.
Scientists used a combination of biochemistry and mass spectrometry to reveal how protein degradation is critical to cell cycle progression and bacterial development. They identified over 100 new candidate substrates of the protease ClpXP, including proteins involved in DNA replication, transcription, and cytoskeletal changes.
Leading researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Maine disagree with a Pew Charitable Trusts 'factsheet' on Bluefin tuna stocks, stating it lacks scientific credibility. The experts advocate for considering alternative hypotheses and multiple population models in stock assessments.
The new technique allows scientists to study protein function in individual cell types in a living organism, providing deeper insights into protein function. The approach uses nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) to restrict knockdown to a single cell type, giving complete control of gene expression.
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has announced a significant investment of over $100 million in grants for life-sciences-related capital projects in western Massachusetts. This investment will support the growth of the state's life sciences supercluster and enhance the University of Massachusetts Amherst's ability to drive econom...
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has selected a University of Massachusetts Amherst research team to conduct a multi-year study on the economic and social effects of casino gambling in Massachusetts. The study will focus on problem gambling but also examine various social and economic factors.
An international team led by Julie Brigham-Grette analyzed Arctic sediment cores from Lake El'gygytgyn, revealing sustained warmth in the Middle Pliocene. This finding suggests that the Earth system response to small changes in carbon dioxide is bigger than suggested by earlier climate models.
Geoscientist Michele Cooke's study explores fault evolution around bends using a mechanical efficiency approach, dubbed the "Lazy Earth" hypothesis. The findings suggest that the crust behaves in accord with work minimization principles, leading to increased efficiency and the formation of new faults.
A National Research Council expert panel recommends creating a large building performance database to improve the knowledge base about high-performance buildings. The study suggests that measuring energy and water use can help identify cost-effective sustainable practices, but more scientific study is needed to justify environmental ou...
A recent study suggests that well-managed residential development, such as provided by homeowners associations, can support native wildlife and promote species diversity in suburban neighborhoods. HOAs manage multiple properties, covering larger areas and implementing coordinated urban conservation initiatives.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified the importance of amino acids in facilitating electrical conductivity in bacterial pili, a paradigm shift from traditional understanding of biological electron transfer. This discovery has significant implications for environmental cleanup and renewable energy sources.
Evolutionary biologists combine traditional methods with genetic techniques to identify new species, revealing cryptic species that show little visible difference. The study uses scale insects as a model organism, analyzing over 400 samples to discover four new species.
Researchers have discovered how two proteins shelter each other to ensure smooth and safe cell division, a process crucial for growth and response to environmental changes. By understanding these molecular mechanisms, scientists may uncover new clues for understanding diseases like cancer.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Harvard found that women who consumed more non-heme iron had a 30-40% lower risk of developing pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). High intake of zinc was also associated with lower risk. In contrast, high potassium intake was linked to higher PMS risk.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new method called MixMAP that uses existing public databases to reveal substantial new information about genes associated with high cholesterol and heart disease. The approach provides opportunities for developing new treatments and identifying people at greatest risk.
A team of astronomers has observed an unusual 'baby' star, LRLL 54361, periodically emitting infrared light bursts, hinting at the presence of a companion star. The discovery provides a rare chance to study what appears to be a developing binary star system.
Researchers have identified a molecular surveillance system that helps detect and correct errors in cell division, preventing serious problems such as aneuploidy and cancer. The study reveals the importance of forces generated by molecular engines in regulating kinetochore-microtubule interactions.
A study by evolutionary biologist Kathryn Lord found that wolf pups and dogs develop their senses at the same time but enter critical periods of socialization at different ages. Wolf pups begin walking and exploring without fear, relying on smell, while dog pups only start to explore after all three senses are functioning.
A team of economists and fish ecologists found that modern fish passage facilities were unsuccessful in allowing economically important species such as salmon, shad, and river herring to pass through dams. The study highlights the need for dam removals to restore diadromous species populations.
A recent study found that Amazon deforestation results in a significant loss of microbial diversity, leading to reduced ecosystem resilience. The research team discovered that the conversion of rainforest to agricultural pastures causes a homogenization of bacterial communities, resulting in a net loss of diversity.
University of Massachusetts Amherst mathematician Robert Kusner explains the observed
A research team has developed a new whole-plant strategy to combat malarial drug resistance, utilizing Artemisia annua and potentially reducing treatment costs. The approach shows promise in treating malaria with a higher chance of success than current modes, offering a locally grown and processed option for fighting the disease.
A new climate model simulates the effects of Arctic hurricanes on ocean water circulation and climate, suggesting potentially cooler conditions in Europe and North America. The research finds that polar lows influence the sinking of dense cold water in the North Atlantic, driving large-scale ocean circulation.
Regional climate models project warmer temperatures and wetter winters in the Northeast US by 2070, with temperatures rising 2-3 degrees C and winter precipitation increasing 12-15%. However, confidence in spring, summer, and autumn precipitation changes is lower.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have deciphered key steps in the mechanism of Hsp70 molecular machines, which facilitate protein folding. The study provides insights into how chaperones work and their role in rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, highlighting potential therapeutic targets.
A new study using satellite images suggests that invasive cheatgrass is a significant cause of larger, hotter and more frequent range fires in the Great Basin. Cheatgrass fueled most of the largest fires over the past decade, influencing 39 of the largest 50.
Researchers at UMass Amherst use a custom microscope to study cellular active transport, discovering that high traffic slows cargo movement but doesn't hinder the process. By using quantum dots as biological probes, they found that multiple motors attached to a single cargo can overcome stalled motors and maintain efficient transport.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a nanotube-based fabric that repels chemical and biological agents. The new material will be breathable yet protective, responding reversibly to environmental threats.
Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst used biomarkers from human feces to establish the first human presence, arrival of grazing animals, and population dynamics in a landscape. The method provides a strong human signal with excellent chronological control, offering valuable insights into past environmental changes.
UMass Amherst's Commonwealth Alliance for Information Technology Education (CAITE) has won a $6.24 million NSF grant to create a national resource for broadening participation in computer science education.
Researchers found that viewers abandon videos if they don't start within two seconds, with every additional one-second delay resulting in a 5.8% increase in abandonment rate. Viewers with better connectivity are less patient, while mobile users are more tolerant of slow-starting videos.
Luke Remage-Healey, a UMass Amherst neuroscientist, has been awarded the 2012 Frank A. Beach Award for his significant contributions to the field of behavioral neuroendocrinology. His research on the regulation of brain function and behavior by steroid hormones in zebra finches is gaining mainstream momentum.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have found a way to deliver bio-active cargo such as proteins and synthetic molecules into naïve T cells using a new synthetic protein transduction domain. This breakthrough enables the study of crucial immune functions and holds great potential for therapeutic applications in the clinic.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified two small molecule chaperones that can stabilize the defective alpha-NAGAL enzyme, offering hope for developing the first drug treatment for Schindler/Kanzaki disease. These molecules, DGJ and DGJNAc, can increase the amount of functional enzyme in cells.
Jenny Ross, a UMass Amherst biophysicist, has won the 2013 Margaret Oakley Dayhoff Award for her substantial contributions to biophysical research. The award recognizes her study of microtubules, which provide structure to cells and are crucial in various cellular processes.
Researchers at UMass Amherst investigate the value of preschool naps to understand their effects on memory, behavior, and emotions in young children. The study aims to determine if napping enhances physical and emotional learning, particularly for children who don't get optimal overnight sleep.
Chemists at UMass Amherst have developed a sensor array system using gold nanoparticles and proteins that can rapidly detect and identify different cancer types in living tissue. The technology uses a 'nose' strategy similar to how humans recognize odors, allowing for precise detection of metastatic cells with high accuracy.
A recent study suggests that yards with desert-like vegetation offer better habitat for native birds than traditional grass lawns or non-native plantings. The study used quantitative measures to assess foraging behavior of common backyard birds in Phoenix, Arizona.
A third of Earth's organisms live in rocks and sediments, yet their lives and ecology are unknown. Researchers at UMass Amherst study methane-exhaling microbes in undersea volcanoes, establishing the first environmental hydrogen threshold for hyperthermophilic methanogens.
An interdisciplinary research team from UMass Amherst and Harvard warns that federal regulators need to improve how they track security and privacy problems in medical devices. Despite a high prevalence of recalls related to software, the current classification methods are not well suited to emerging types of device malfunctions.
Physicists Andrea Pocar and Krishna Kumar's team successfully set a new lower limit for the half-life of neutrino-less double-beta decay, nearly excluding a 10-year-old claim. The discovery could provide insight into matter and anti-matter asymmetry in the universe.
A team of microbiologists at UMass Amherst has made an advance in understanding the replication of parasites like African sleeping sickness and chagas disease. By characterizing key proteins' organization, they discovered a novel mechanism that could lead to the development of new treatments.
Physicists at UMass Amherst were instrumental in the preliminary observation of a new particle, potentially the Higgs boson. The UMass team's contributions to the ATLAS project have been significant, particularly in muon identification and reconstruction.