Cultivated rice has also evolved into weedy varieties that shatter and are successful in limiting production worldwide. A long abscission zone is a key factor in ease of shattering across various weedy groups, indicating humans' management inadvertently selects for these traits.
A new study reveals that the Supreme Court's ruling weakening the Clean Water Act leaves many US waterways vulnerable to pollution. Ephemeral streams, which only flow during weather events, contribute significantly to river systems' total output, with 55% of water coming from them on average.
A new research study led by UMass Amherst found that non-native species are expanding their ranges much faster than native ones, with a speed of 35 kilometers per year on their own and 1,883 kilometers per year when humans factor in their role. This means that native species cannot keep up with climate change without human help.
Researchers have solved the mystery of shipworms' ability to digest lignin, a tough wood substance. A population of symbiotic microbes in the typhlosole sub-organ produces enzymes that break down lignin, with potential practical applications in biotech and significant impacts on climate change and human health.
A team of scientists has found a correlation between atmospheric blocking over Scandinavia and the Ural Mountains and extreme weather events in Svalbard. The study suggests that this phenomenon is driving Arctic warming and mass loss of ice.
Lynne McLandsborough's research offers a solution to the sticky sanitation issue in peanut butter and chocolate industries, improving food safety and reducing bacterial illness outbreaks. Her patent-pending method uses a water-in-oil emulsion to kill 99.9999% of Salmonella bacteria.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers reveals key features for developing effective robotic guide dogs, including two-hour battery life, camera orientations, and audio sensors. The research aims to address barriers to adoption of canine guide dogs, which are currently limited by cost, allergies, and physical limitations.
Researchers found that oil palm plantations in Indonesia's Kais River Watershed are causing significant increases in precipitation, runoff, and soil moisture, leading to dramatically worse water quality. The transition from tropical rainforest to oil-palm plantation has resulted in a 16.9% increase in sedimentation, 78.1% increase in n...
Researchers have adapted a microwave circulator to precisely tune nonreciprocity in quantum computing, simplifying future work. The integrated nonreciprocal device enables controllable quantum interactions, paving the way for more sophisticated quantum computing hardware.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst study is tracking over 300 infants and preschoolers to assess the importance of napping on brain development. The research aims to identify the bioregulatory mechanisms involved in napping and its impact on memory, with findings expected to inform nap policies for young children.
The DISCount framework combines AI-powered image analysis with human analysis to quickly deliver reliable estimates of building damage and bird flock size. It has been recognized by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence for its social impact, winning an award for best paper on AI for social impact.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified the most effective AI method for monitoring insect populations using bioacoustics, with deep learning models achieving high accuracy. The study found that machine and deep learning are becoming the gold standards for automated bioacoustics modeling.
Researchers found that old and young waters behave differently, with deep groundwater sustaining the hydrological system. Only 20-40% of surface water is contemporary, making it sensitive to climate change and mining activities.
The prevalence of problem and at-risk gambling in Massachusetts has remained steady since casinos were introduced in 2015, according to a statewide survey. The research team attributes this to the state's robust problem gambling prevention programs, including GameSense and voluntary self-exclusion.
A UMass Amherst-led team developed biofilm-resistant glass using UV radiation, which prevents biofilm formation on surfaces in underwater environments. The technology can be used for various applications, including disinfection of transparent surfaces like windows and camera lenses.
Researchers sequenced RNA transcripts from 18 primate brains to map every expressed gene, revealing remarkable variation in humans and chimps compared to other primates. The study identifies specific genes for further research and sheds light on human neurodegenerative disorders.
A new study aims to understand how family dogs influence children's physical activity levels, with researchers exploring ways to promote healthy habits in young people. The study found that about 20% of daily physical activity comes from time spent with the dog.
Researchers developed a new triplex real-time PCR test to detect the emerging Powassan virus in deer ticks, improving sensitivity and accuracy. The method reduced false negative results, providing assurance that negative test results are true negatives.
A team of UMass Amherst engineers has developed a tissue-like bioelectronic mesh system that can simultaneously measure the electrical signal and physical movement of cells in lab-grown human cardiac tissue. This breakthrough device allows researchers to observe how the heart's mechanical and electrical functions change during developm...
A new review by UMass Amherst researchers highlights the need for more research on breast cancer cell dormancy, which is a contributing factor to metastatic breast cancer. The study aims to identify gaps in research and develop better models to understand and treat this phenomenon.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed an analog computing device called a memristor that can complete complex scientific tasks while reducing energy consumption. The device uses physical laws to perform computations in a massively parallel fashion, accelerating matrix operations and overcoming the limitations of digital computing.
A UMass Amherst study found that government vaccine recommendations can benefit drugmakers like Pfizer, while also increasing vaccine uptake among seniors. However, the study suggests that direct-to-consumer advertising did not lead to a significant reduction in infection and mortality rates from pneumococcal disease.
A UMass Amherst study found that only three types of fruit snacks meet federal dietary guidelines for high-nutrition: dried fruit, fruit puree, and canned fruit with juice. Dried fruit has the highest nutrient density and fiber content, while gummies have the lowest.
Scientists at UMass Amherst used satellite data, field observations, and numerical modeling to predict the Arctic's future ecosystem changes due to thawing permafrost. The study reveals up to 30% more subsurface runoff and altered river flows, impacting ecosystems and potentially slowing climate change.
A portable robotic device has been developed to improve walking function in stroke survivors by altering gait asymmetry. The study, published in IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, reveals that the exoskeleton can effectively train individuals to modify their walking asymmetry.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified PRMT5 as a key regulator of suppressive activity in immune cells, which can be trained to correct overzealous immune responses. This discovery may lay the foundation for drug-free, side-effect-free treatments for patients with autoimmune disorders such as aplastic anemia.
A team of researchers proposes a new method to track the elusive origins of CO2 emissions from streams, accounting for 60% of emissions under alkaline conditions. Using carbonate buffering, scientists can better understand the balance of CO2, water, and carbonate in stream systems.
A study led by UMass Amherst found that increased temperatures do lead to decreased body size in fish, but gill surface area does not explain the change. The researchers challenged widely cited model projections of drastic reductions in future global fisheries yields, suggesting that models need to be reconsidered.
A study has identified 1,289 genetic markers associated with Type 2 diabetes, including 145 newly discovered markers. The research provides risk scores for diabetes complications and suggests potential genetic targets for new treatments.
Researchers used data from 9,300 miles of Greek roads to develop a machine-learning model predicting crash sites. The model identified key features such as abrupt speed limit changes and incomplete lane markings as predictors of crashes. The study's findings have implications for improving road safety globally.
A new study by University of Massachusetts Amherst engineers highlights the disproportionate impact of poorly maintained roads on residents in disadvantaged communities. The research found that these communities are twice as likely to have poor roads, leading to increased fuel consumption and higher costs for drivers.
A team of researchers identified interactions between four compounds governing plant cellular processes in response to stress signals. Liquid-liquid phase separation plays a crucial role in coordinating cellular pathways, allowing plants to thrive and survive in adverse conditions.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to determine the age of mosquitoes, which could help improve pesticide strategies and reduce the spread of diseases like malaria. The method uses surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to analyze biomolecules in mosquito water extract.
A new study by UMass Amherst and the Wildlife Conservation Society finds that climate change disproportionately affects older African elephants, who will have decreased chances of survival. This can lead to a ripple effect on their ecosystems and cultures, highlighting the need for coordinated management strategies at all levels.
Researchers at UMass Amherst develop graphene-based tattoos to measure cortisol and other biomarkers in sweat. The technology has the potential to provide insights into overall health and serve as a tool for early disease detection, enabling personalized healthcare.
A global study review found negative indirect impacts of the pandemic on people with diabetes, including a rise in non-COVID-19-related deaths, diabetic ketoacidosis among children and adolescents, and sight loss. Pediatric ICU admissions were also significantly increased.
Stacyann Bailey studies how cancer treatment affects bones, hoping to prevent fractures and improve patient outcomes. Up to 50% of patients with metastatic bone disease develop fractures due to treatment, making her work crucial for their quality of life.
A team of researchers tracked the rate at which great hammerhead sharks eat hooked tarpon in Florida Keys, finding a 15.3% depredation rate. The study urges ecological solutions that don't impact either species, as conservation efforts stabilize shark populations and angling becomes more popular.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst and Seattle Children's Research Institute found that prior exposure to certain bacteria changes the lung's innate immune response, making it more vulnerable to tuberculosis. The study suggests that remodeling the innate immune system could be a more effective strategy in fighting TB.
Rising temperatures caused by climate change will impact southern Africa's remaining black and white rhinoceros populations, scientists report. The region's diverse national parks will struggle to adapt to increasing heat, with some species facing extinction due to rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have received an NIH grant to create predictive models for Alzheimer's disease using brain MRIs and clinical data. The goal is to enable earlier detection of the condition, ideally two years before onset of symptoms.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have discovered that tumor cells outwit the body's immune system by incorporating cytoplasmic material into their own T cells. This 'mosquito effect' helps cancerous tumors evade the immune system, making it a promising area of study for developing more effective treatments.
A Cochrane review found that e-cigarettes lead to better chances of quitting smoking than patches, gums, lozenges, or other traditional NRT. Eight to 10 out of 100 people using nicotine e-cigarettes quit compared to six out of 100 using traditional NRT.
The UMass Amherst team has developed a first-of-its-kind dual-color optoelectronic neural probe, enabling bidirectional control of brain activity in specific cortical layers. This innovation holds promise for advancing our understanding of diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.
A team of researchers led by UMASS Amherst developed a test to identify new drugs that can disable pathogens and make real gains in public health. They discovered a way to target the Type 3 secretion system, a communication system used by pathogenic microbes to infect host cells.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that exposure to phthalates can lower the odds of getting pregnant, but not lead to pregnancy loss. The researchers also discovered associations between preconception phthalate exposure and changes in women's reproductive hormones, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
The UMass Amherst team created a multiscale ecological framework to assess and respond to ecological threats in the Lake Yojoa watershed. The framework focuses on local perception of threats, consequences, and solutions, providing a valuable baseline for conservation and governmental organizations.
Researchers mapped the role of horticulture in spreading invasive species, projecting future hotspots and abundance under 2°C warming. The study found that plant nurseries are a primary pathway for invasive plant introduction, exacerbating climate-driven invasion.
A team of researchers at UMass Amherst has discovered a crucial role played by the enzyme UGGT in protein folding. The study reveals how UGGT 'tags' misfolded proteins with specific sugars, enabling chaperones to identify and correct errors.
A UMass Amherst study identifies building age as key factor in elevated lead levels; facilities built in the 1960s and 1970s are at greatest risk. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recommends achieving lowest lead levels possible, with a goal of 1 ppb or less.