A UMass Amherst microbiologist is working to develop new treatments for tuberculosis by targeting the bacteria's surface structure. The goal is to create a drug that can disrupt the cell envelope, making the bacteria vulnerable to attack.
Research shows that even optimistic temperature targets can lead to catastrophic sea-level rise, disproportionately affecting low-lying nations. An interdisciplinary team highlights the need for justice-focused policies to minimize impacts of sea-level rise.
A team led by UMass Amherst scientist Margaret Stratton is studying the calcium-sensitive protein CaMKII to understand long-term memory and its potential therapeutic applications. The research has far-reaching implications for treating neurologic diseases, cardiac dysfunction, and infertility.
Researchers at UMass Amherst calculated pre-agricultural soil erosion rates in the Midwest, finding them to be 0.04 mm per year, significantly lower than the USDA's current limit of 1 mm per year. Modern agriculture has accelerated erosion rates, threatening topsoil and global food security.
A longitudinal study from UMass Amherst reveals that peer mentorship enhances female engineering students' confidence, motivation, and academic outcomes. The study, which tracked 150 female students over eight years, showed that female mentees with female mentors reported greater belonging, motivation, and confidence.
A new study found that different populations of the same marine species have varying thermal limits, and connecting them could ensure survival in a warming world. This approach offers a window of hope for adaptation and conservation practices.
Researchers have discovered that a specific mutation in the misfolding protein causing Parkinson's disease can also protect against multiple system atrophy (MSA), another fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The findings provide a promising lead for developing targeted treatments using personalized medicine approaches.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst study found that over 37% of insured Massachusetts residents experienced an insurance transition during the perinatal period. Individuals with Medicaid and Medicaid managed care were more likely to have a transition than those covered by private insurance, suggesting disruptions in continuity of care.
A new controlled-release device has been tested at UMass Amherst for its effectiveness in preventing tick bites. The device uses synthetic pyrethroids to create a spatial repellent that alters the behavior of ticks, making them less likely to climb and more likely to detach or fall off. The results show promising promise in reducing th...
A new study from UMass Amherst identifies over 3,000 invasive plant species, but estimates suggest there could be up to 4,721 more, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive global list. The research highlights the importance of floristic surveys in understudied regions to fill knowledge gaps.
Amanda Woerman's research aims to disrupt tau misfolding, a common thread in fatal neurodegenerative disorders PSP and CBD. The grant-funded study seeks to test a proof-of-concept gene therapy for these conditions, potentially leading to personalized medicine breakthroughs.
A UMass Amherst epidemiologist is investigating how physical and mental health during pregnancy can predict cardiovascular and mental health disorders in middle age. Pregnancy complications may be associated with poorer cardiometabolic health and mental health status in middle adulthood among Puerto Rican women.
Researchers found that shorter flower petals reduce the transmission of a harmful pathogen, increasing larval production and bee health. Planting flowers with trimmed corollas or even distribution of nectar also supports bee well-being.
A new study tracks deuterium in raindrops to better understand the Earth's water cycle and its changes due to global warming. The researchers shed light on how regional climate conditions impact deuterium excess.
A new theory by UMass Amherst sleep scientist Rebecca Spencer suggests that young children's brain development, not age, determines when and why they stop napping. The hippocampus, a memory area of the brain, plays a critical role in nap transitions.
The study reveals that a genetic mutation can accelerate the body's internal clock, leading to improved adjustment to shift work schedules. The findings have implications for understanding the health consequences of circadian misalignment and developing medical treatments.
A new free guide, 'Cultivating Contact', offers insights on how people from different groups experience contact with each other and how social attitudes and behaviors can be transformed through these experiences. The 24-page booklet describes how to foster greater trust and belonging between people from different backgrounds.
A recent study led by UMass Amherst examines how students navigate and integrate interdisciplinary learning throughout their college careers. The research reveals three stages of engagement: choosing, navigating, and integrating. Strong advising is critical for success in interdisciplinary programs.
A UMass Amherst researcher is developing an eco-friendly drift reduction agent using essential oils derived from food waste to reduce pesticide use, while also creating a potentially scalable process for plant-based seafood that mimics the texture of fish meat.
Researchers have discovered two genes contributing to a paradoxical drug effect in Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus that causes deadly infections. The findings could lead to the development of new treatments and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at UMass Amherst discovered that the ClpX enzyme can play dual roles in cell health and respond to changing levels of cellular energy. This breakthrough changes the rules on how cells work, highlighting the importance of cellular energy control.
A new study reveals that wood releases low levels of formaldehyde at room temperature due to a lignin-mediated Fenton reaction. Researchers have developed an effective, low-cost method to mitigate this release by mixing antioxidants and chelators with wood or spraying them on surfaces.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst discovered that uniformly charged macromolecules can self-assemble into large structures through dipole-dipole interactions. This finding highlights the importance of dipoles in biological assembly processes and offers new insights into life's fundamental mysteries.
New research highlights the importance of non-biting flies in transmitting diseases. These synanthropic flies ingest pathogens while feeding on human and animal waste, which they then store in their crop. When they regurgitate this content, it can spread illnesses to humans through food contact.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst psychologist is using a $428,000 NIH grant to develop a home-based system that tracks preschoolers' tantrums and predicts mental illness risk. The system uses wearable devices and machine learning algorithms to identify high-risk children and provide critical information to parents.
Researchers from UMass Amherst have created a tiny sensor that can simultaneously measure electrical and mechanical cellular responses in cardiac tissue. This breakthrough device has the potential to lead-edge applications in cardiac-disease experiments and improve health monitoring for cardiac disease studies.
Researchers created a dual-phase, nanostructured high-entropy alloy with unprecedented strength and ductility through 3D printing. The alloy's unique microstructure enables cooperative deformation of two phases, resulting in ultrahigh strength and enhanced ductility.
A UMass Amherst team has engineered a biofilm capable of producing electricity from the energy in evaporation and converting it into a steady supply. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize wearable electronics by powering small devices and potentially entire electronic systems.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst and UMass Chan Medical School has developed a technique to increase the secretion of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) in muscle cells by about 50 percent. This breakthrough will help improve gene therapies for diseases caused by dysfunctional protein production.
International researchers, led by UMass Amherst, discovered a mechanism that allows certain fungi to destroy grapevines using small compounds that reduce iron and produce hydrogen peroxide. Antioxidants and chelators can potentially interrupt this process and prevent grapevine damage.
A new study by Linda Tropp found that teachers' implicit racial biases and concerns about being perceived as racist independently contribute to their lower intentions to discuss race with students. Recent teacher training programs have focused on addressing implicit biases, but not conscious concerns about being seen as racist.
Researchers at UMass Amherst investigate how embryonic exposure to PFAS chemicals affects pancreatic development and glucose regulation. Preliminary data suggest a link between PFAS exposure and elevated fructosamine levels, indicating potential long-term diabetes risk.
A UMass Amherst undergraduate student's work has provided key insight into how galaxies evolve, linking supermassive black hole growth to star formation. The study uses mid-infrared spectra to quantify the connection between these phenomena, paving the way for the James Webb Space Telescope to investigate galaxy evolution.
New research by UMass Amherst professor Jinglei Ping demonstrates the use of graphene for electrokinetic biosample processing and analysis, allowing for faster and more efficient detection of biomolecules. This breakthrough enables the creation of smaller lab-on-a-chip devices with improved time and size efficiencies.
A comprehensive new study examines the hydrological impact of lithium mining in Chile's Salar de Atacama, revealing that most water used is decades old. The research highlights the complexity of the region's hydrology and the need for longer-term monitoring to ensure responsible water usage.
A UMass Amherst researcher will investigate the link between ambient environmental factors and male fertility, focusing on air pollution and temperature. Her study aims to identify risks associated with these exposures and inform medical and behavioral interventions for men before fertility treatment.
The New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases aims to reduce tick- and mosquito-borne diseases through research, training, and community engagement. The center will leverage applied research, public health training, and community partnerships to prevent and control vector-borne diseases.
A new study found climate change is altering how large whales, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, use habitats in the warming Gulf of Maine. The research team analyzed over 20 years of data and found that peak use of Cape Cod Bay had shifted almost three weeks later for right whales and humpback whales.
A team led by UMass Amherst food scientist Matthew Moore has received a $750,000 grant to develop portable biosensors for detecting noroviruses and mycotoxins in foods. The technology aims to provide quick, cheap, and effective detection without lab testing.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that the ecological impact of invasive species alone is comparable to its combined effect with warming temperatures, drought, or nitrogen deposition. This suggests that managing invasive species at a local level can make ecosystems more climate resilient.
A peer-led, family-centered preventive intervention is being tested to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among Bhutanese immigrants. The program, developed by Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar, uses problem management plus (PMP) and addresses multiple stressors, resulting in improved coping skills and social networking.
Scientists at UMass Amherst developed a new theory to predict how double-gyroid networks form in polymer superstructures. The theory reveals the hidden geometry allowing polymers to assume this complex shape.
A massive global study of diverse populations has significantly advanced the understanding of type 2 diabetes by identifying 117 genes that contribute to the disease. The research used genetic data from almost 181,000 people with type 2 diabetes and 1.16 million without it.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new class of material called pZC that can withstand acidic stomach conditions and dissolve in the small intestine. This innovation could revolutionize oral medication delivery, increasing the number of medications that can be taken orally.
A new evidence-based matching program aims to improve treatment outcomes by pairing patients with therapists based on their previously established effectiveness strengths. The program, funded by PCORI, has shown promising results in reducing symptoms and improving patient care.
Researchers found that Massachusetts' state mandate driving staff acceptance and creating an atypical flexibility to seek innovative solutions. The program showed that medication diversion was uncommon, and protocols helped ensure correct use of the medication by detainees.
The UMass Amherst-based Forecast Hub has generated the most consistently accurate predictions of pandemic deaths at the state and national level. The ensemble model combined individual forecasts, demonstrating improved robustness and ability to overcome individual model biases.
A massive dataset reveals complex ecological relationships between sharks and game fish, offering a clearer understanding of their interactions. The study's innovative use of acoustic telemetry and machine learning helps inform fisheries management strategies to protect both species.
Research from UMass Amherst found that disbelief in human evolution is associated with higher levels of prejudice and racist attitudes. The study, conducted across 19 Eastern European countries, 25 Muslim countries, and Israel, linked low belief in evolution to biased attitudes towards outgroups and support for discriminatory behavior.
Researchers investigate how mushrooms improve gut health and provide a preventive buffer against disease in Western-style diets. The study aims to understand the role of Turicibacter in dietary obesity and gut health, as well as the potential benefits of incorporating oyster mushrooms into diet.