The UMass Amherst nurse-engineer team, led by Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation, has developed an innovative IV pole designed to enhance patient safety and reduce errors. The award-winning design features a smart pump that can detect potential problems and alert medical staff, improving overall care.
Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton's pioneering work in reinforcement learning has been recognized with the 2024 ACM A.M.Turing Award. Their algorithmic foundations have led to significant advances in AI, including deep reinforcement learning.
Scientists at UMass Amherst accurately quantify coastal carbon storage using satellites, revealing 10 million cars' worth of carbon stored in top meter of soil and an additional 15,000-worth each year. The results are crucial for a resilient, low-carbon future, highlighting the potential for salt marshes to mitigate climate change.
A new review paper published in Addiction found 'very low-certainty evidence' to support the claim that nicotine vaping causes young people to start smoking. However, the study also suggests that vaping may contribute to declines in youth smoking rates, particularly in the US.
Kinda baboons exhibit a unique social structure where males actively cultivate long-term bonds with females, persisting across reproductive states. This behavior challenges traditional classifications of baboon social structures and may offer insights into primate evolution.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a plant-based method to extract nickel from contaminated soil, providing a potential solution for the US's growing demand for this critical mineral. By manipulating the superplant Camelina sativa, scientists can absorb nickel, produce biofuel oil, and clean polluted soil.
Researchers at UMass Amherst developed a model that quantifies the impacts of social factors on HIV spread, finding that addressing barriers to treatment and care can reduce national HIV incidence by 29%. The study suggests that investing in prevention and social programs could be more cost-effective than treatment alone.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a non-toxic bacterial therapy, BacID, to deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly into tumors. The therapy uses genetically engineered strains of Salmonella that can target tumors and control the release of cancer-fighting drugs inside cancer cells.
A team of food scientists is developing tempeh products from chickpeas and peas to offset the health risks of a Western diet. The new fermented foods may help with obesity, fatty liver, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Preliminary research suggests they are high in fiber and low in fat.
A Cochrane review found financial incentives significantly improve smoking cessation rates for pregnant people, with a six-month success rate of 13 out of 100 who received incentives compared to six in 100 without them. The study also suggests that offering different value rewards does not impact quit rates.
A new study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews suggests that varenicline, a prescription medication, and text message-based interventions can help people quit vaping. The findings are particularly promising for young people aged 13 to 24, who showed significant success with text message-based programs.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified Hsc70 as a vital chaperone protein that ensures SNAP-25's proper functioning in neurotransmission. The study sheds new light on the underlying mechanics of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A new study reveals that pregnant and postpartum individuals often have low-quality diets, which can impact their short- and long-term health outcomes. The study found that lower-income women and those with higher body mass indexes tend to have lower diet quality scores.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst designed a novel device that manipulates cell behavior by precisely modulating the pH of the cell's environment in real-time. The device was able to manipulate pH with a resolution of 0.1 pH units, far exceeding previous electrode-based attempts.
A recent study by UMass Amherst and international partners found that giant trevally sport fishing in Seychelles is sensitive to catch-and-release pressure. The research used acoustic telemetry and mark-and-recapture programs to track fish behavior, revealing potential unintended consequences of the practice.
New research maps 35 years of river changes on a global scale, revealing 44% of downstream rivers saw decreases in water flow, while 17% of upstream rivers saw increases. This shift has significant implications for flooding, ecosystem disruption, and freshwater supplies.
A new study will use advanced integrated hydrologic models to predict New England's water budget changes, tracking shifts in the water table, rainstorm intensity, and drought timing. The research aims to help prepare for an uncertain future by understanding where climate change is altering weather patterns.
Researchers are analyzing survey and administrative data from over 58,000 military personnel to examine the impact of cumulative psychosocial stress on cardiovascular health. The study aims to identify specific stressors that contribute to heart disease disparities among racial and ethnic groups.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new, portable method to detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water. The device is small, inexpensive, and can detect levels as low as 400 ppt, making it more accessible for on-site testing.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have estimated carbon dioxide emissions from inland waters to 22 million US lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Their new modeling approach reveals previous methods may have overestimated CO2 emissions by as much as 25%.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new method for aligning 3D semiconductor chips with precision as small as 0.017 nanometers, enabling lower costs and increased access to this technology. The approach uses lasers and holograms to detect misalignments without moving parts.
The report found significant economic benefits from the casinos, including job creation and tax revenue, but also noted a loss of workforce in other sectors and negative impacts on businesses. Negative social impacts included increased vehicle traffic, accidents, and crime near casinos, as well as a rise in illegal gambling.
A study led by UMass Amherst found no significant improvement in asthma care for Medicaid-insured children compared to those with private insurance. Despite the launch of primary care-oriented Medicaid ACOs in Massachusetts, disparities in quality of care persist, with worsening emergency department/hospital use for children with Medic...
Research shows nanomaterials can blunt heavy metal contamination's effects while increasing crop yields and nutrient content. Nanonutrients reduce pollution's impact by 38%, enhancing soil fertility, leading to improved crops.
Researchers from UMass Amherst have identified a key connection between ecology and speciation in Darwin's finches, famous residents of the Gal pagos Islands, Ecuador. The study shows that beak-driven changes to song impact species recognition, driving the separation of species.
A UMass Amherst-led team has developed a sensor to detect sodium ions in breastmilk, a biomarker of elevated mammary permeability and potential milk supply issues. The device provides highly sensitive readings inexpensively and quickly, with results delivered in three minutes and costs just $1 per test.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to have claims for free preventive care denied by insurance plans, leading to unexpected bills or lack of access. Healthcare providers also charge disadvantaged groups a higher amount for preventive services.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst debunks the idea that Facebook's algorithms successfully filtered out untrustworthy news during the 2020 election. The study found that temporary changes to the algorithm were not accounted for, leading to misperceptions about the platform's reliability.
Research reveals a link between menopausal hot flashes, increased brown adipose tissue activity and childhood cold exposure. Women with higher BAT activity are nearly three times more likely to experience bothersome hot flashes.
Researchers at UMass demonstrated the effectiveness of homemade play putty as an interface to measure electricity or bioelectrical potentials from a human body. The material effectively captured various electrophysiology measurements, including EEG for brain activity and ECG for heart recordings.
A $3.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health supports a study on wearable sleep trackers and AI in predicting blood biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in at-risk individuals. The research aims to create an 'early warning system' for flagging individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's.
Researchers found that super spikes improve running speeds by 2%, with some brands performing better than others, and athletes taking longer steps rather than faster ones. The study used a novel protocol to capture the impact of shoe design on middle-distance track performance.
A major review by the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group identifies three effective ways to stop smoking: counseling, bupropion, and nicotine replacement therapy. The study found that combining these strategies with behavioral support yields the best results for quitting smoking.
A new UMass study identifies key factors influencing exercise among nursing students, including intrinsic motivation, social support, demographic identifiers, and health-tracking technology. The research aims to help nurses build healthy habits before entering the workforce.
Monthly gamblers in Massachusetts report increased gambling intensity and harms, as well as negative attitudes towards gambling. The proportion of those experiencing problem gambling jumps to 25.6% from 12.7% in 2014.
Researchers have developed a novel nanoparticle drug-delivery system to activate an immune pathway in combination with tumor-targeting agents, showing promising results in treating pancreatic cancer. Eight out of nine mice tested experienced tumor improvements, including two complete responses.
Researchers identify accessory genes linked to nitric oxide production that contribute to Foc TR4's virulence, offering potential treatments and strategies to slow its spread. Monocropping is also identified as a key factor in the disease's success, highlighting the importance of crop diversity.
A $1.9 million NIH grant will support research on closing cellular gaps, with implications for wound healing and cellular regeneration therapies. The goal is to develop a theoretical understanding of the process, enabling control over individual factors and potential applications in regenerating heart cells.
Researchers at UMass Amherst discovered a vulnerability in digital wallet security that can be exploited by malicious actors even if the rightful cardholder doesn't use a digital wallet. The study found that banks prioritize convenience over security, leaving users' credit cards susceptible to unauthorized transactions.
Researchers developed a learning-based approach called LVWS to schedule robots and enable voluntary waiting, resulting in faster task completion. This method outperformed other approaches by up to 23% suboptimality, demonstrating its potential to improve manufacturing, agriculture, and warehouse automation.
UMass Amherst researchers have identified the 'quality control' regulator for protein folding, a crucial process that ensures essential cellular functions. The discovery of this regulator, Sep15, could lead to new treatments targeting misfolded proteins associated with diseases like Alzheimer's and cystic fibrosis.
A new study led by UMass Amherst and Tufts Medical Center will provide HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for people with opioid use disorders who are incarcerated. The study aims to increase the number of incarcerated individuals tested and treated, addressing a critical gap in healthcare access.
The research aims to develop a new method for detecting foodborne viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A in time to prevent or quickly respond to an outbreak. The technology uses magnetic liquids to concentrate viruses from large food samples into smaller volumes, streamlining the detection process.
A recent survey conducted by University of Massachusetts Amherst found that consumers prefer glass packaging for orange juice due to its perceived sustainability, but surprisingly, it is actually among the least sustainable options. The study ranked cartons as the most sustainable followed by plastic, aluminum, and then glass.
Researchers found that most Powassan-positive bites cause nonspecific presentations without symptoms, and estimated 3,000-5,000 people in the US are exposed to ticks carrying the virus each year. The study used a new testing approach to detect the virus in ticks and linked it to human disease outcomes.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been awarded a $6.37 million grant by the EPA to create a free EPD generator tool and establish an industry standard for measuring greenhouse gas emissions. The project aims to increase transparency and trust in the steel industry, retraining engineers and steelmakers to use the new tool.
A global assessment of scientific literature finds that nature-based solutions (NbS) are an economically effective method to mitigate risks from disasters such as floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, and landslides. NbS have been proven consistently cost-effective in mitigating hazards in 71% of the studied articles.
Research by the University of Massachusetts Amherst team found that social media polls consistently predicted a landslide election win for Trump in both 2016 and 2020 presidential contests. The polls were predominantly crafted by males with a bias for Trump, and purchasing votes from troll farms was common.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a novel extrusion segment that can create the marbled appearance and texture of plant-based whole-cut meat products. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the plant-based meat industry, expanding its product offerings and appealing to a wider audience.
The study aims to empower underrepresented populations in health research through a novel approach called engagement mapping, which identifies barriers to research partnerships and co-designs strategies to address them. The pilot study will test the feasibility of this approach with community advisory councils at two institutions.