Research from the University of Vermont finds that people who experience extreme climate events are more likely to support climate mitigation policy and pay more for it. Even among those who report skepticism about human-caused climate change, personal experience with extreme weather increases willingness-to-pay.
A new study by University of Vermont researchers found consistent associations between perceived stress scores and factors like total sleep time, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate. The study used wearable Oura ring data to detect changes in stress levels during sleep, potentially leading to early interventions.
A new study by University of Vermont researchers found that frequent and strong cold-air pooling drives temperate forest composition, potentially providing a refuge for cold-adapted species. This phenomenon, where cold air at higher elevations drains down into lower-lying valleys, reverses expected temperatures.
A new study published in GeoHealth suggests that forests can provide natural protection against disease transmission, including malaria. The research found that deforestation increases the risk of malaria, especially among children from poorer households and communities with certain dominant mosquito species.
Researchers found that individuals who engaged in home and wild food production (HWFP) activities exhibited improved food security 9-12 months later. Those who were newly food insecure during the pandemic seemed to be the best at recovering from food insecurity with HWFP.
A new study suggests that substituting 50% of meat and dairy products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 31%, save forests, and improve nutrition for millions of people. The study also found that restoring land spared from livestock production could contribute up to 25% of glob...
A new study reveals a severe bottleneck in US tree nurseries, with only 56% meeting the volume needed for conservation and reforestation. The lack of diverse species and locally adapted trees hinders efforts to plant billions of trees to combat climate change.
A new study reveals that large portions of Greenland were ice-free tundra landscapes with trees and woolly mammoths 416,000 years ago. The melting caused at least five feet of sea level rise during a moderate warming period.
A study of 700 participants found that time outdoors doesn't always reduce smartphone screentime. However, visits to nature reserves or forests saw significant declines in screentime compared to urban locations. Participants who visited wilder areas spent more time disconnected from their smartphones and regained attention.
A study found that the change in guidelines led to a decline in mammography screening rates, particularly among women ages 50-74, an unintended consequence known as spillover. This effect resulted in 2.4 million fewer women being up-to-date with screening mammography between 2009 and 2018.
A national study found that Americans are moving to regions with the greatest risk of wildfires and significant summer heat, despite climate change projections. The top migration destinations were cities in the Pacific Northwest, parts of the Southwest, Texas, Florida, and the Southeast, which already face significant wildfire risks.
A new study from the University of Vermont found that TikTok's most viewed content on food, nutrition, and weight promotes a toxic diet culture, with weight loss and thinness glorified. The study highlights the need for critical thinking skills and a radical rethinking of how we relate to our bodies, food, and health.
As winters warm, nutrient pollution is putting water quality at risk in over 40 US states. The first-of-its-kind national study finds that previously frozen winter nutrient pollution is affecting 53% of the contiguous US and putting 50% of nitrogen and phosphorus pools at risk.
A new study analyzing 174 peer-reviewed studies on the effects of nature on human well-being found that participants were overwhelmingly white and from high-income countries. The research highlights a diversity problem in the field, which threatens its ability to make universal scientific claims.
A groundbreaking study finds that the combined efforts of birds and bees on coffee plants yield better results than individual contributions alone. Without these winged helpers, coffee yields decrease by nearly 25% due to increased pests, valued at $1,066 per hectare.
A new study measures the happiness benefits of US city parks in the 25 largest cities, finding a powerful effect from urban nature on users. Park size and accessibility emerged as key predictors of happiness.
A study on copepod evolution reveals that ocean life can adapt to climate change, but this adaptation comes with hidden costs. The copepods' genetic variation allowed them to thrive in changing conditions, but returning to baseline conditions led to reduced health and resilience.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has linked exposure to phthalates to higher incidence of specific childhood cancers. Childhood but not gestational phthalate exposure was associated with a 20% higher rate of childhood cancer overall, as well as increased rates of osteosarcoma and lymphoma diagnosis.
A new study highlights alternative treatment options that consider a patient's likelihood of recovery and quality of life. Total Definitive Treatment (TDT) is an approach that combines chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and close monitoring to potentially cure patients without surgery.
Researchers at the University of Vermont have created the first living robots capable of reproducing, using AI-designed Xenobots. This groundbreaking achievement has significant implications for regenerative medicine, as it demonstrates a new form of biological self-replication.
Researchers analyzed 1.4 million field observations and 73,000 museum records to find a strong correlation between species abundance in nature and their presence in museum collections. This method enables scientists to study species decline and estimate past abundances, providing insights into conservation efforts.
Researchers developed the Storywrangler, a data-driven tool analyzing over 150 billion tweets, providing insights into global conversations, popularity, and emerging trends. The tool reveals potential predictors of geopolitical risk and demonstrates its potential to index everyday conversations.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Research and Health Sciences found that scent-enhanced virtual reality technologies can improve therapeutic benefits for chronic pain, anxiety, and mood disorders. Participants reported significant reductions in anxiety levels after OVR sessions, with improvements lasting up to three hours.
A new study finds that loss of nature will exacerbate racial and income inequality, with non-white people losing 224% air quality benefits, 118% crop pollination, and 111% disease control between 2020 and 2100.
A new study finds that white American parents often unintentionally communicate contradictory messages about race to their children. More than a third of parents send mixed signals, while others explicitly promote color-conscious ideologies. The study highlights the importance of understanding how parents talk about race with their kids.
A national study found a strong rebound in breast cancer screening rates despite COVID-19 pandemic challenges, but significant disparities and missed appointments persist. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to overcome barriers to healthcare utilization during the pandemic.
Researchers find fossilized plant structures at the bottom of a 4560-foot-deep ice core, indicating that most of Greenland was ice-free within the last million years. The discovery highlights the vulnerability of the Greenland ice sheet to climate warming and sea-level rise, posing a significant threat to coastal cities worldwide.
A pioneering study identified 20 'nitrogen hotspots of opportunity' in the US, representing 63% of surplus nitrogen balance but only 24% of cropland area. The top-ranked hotspot is a region across Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
A new study finds that wearing masks alone may increase daily contacts and lead to more infections if not accompanied by proper public education. The study's key findings also reveal that living environment and profession play a significant role in determining infection risk.
A global study of 107,000 children found that higher temperatures are an equal or greater contributor to child malnutrition and low quality diets than poverty, sanitation, and education. Climate change is also associated with increased diet diversity in some regions, but this effect depends on the intensity and distribution of rainfall.
A study by University of Vermont researchers reveals that Colorado potato beetles develop resistance to pesticides through epigenetic changes, which can be passed on to descendants across at least two generations. These changes allow the beetles to rapidly adapt to new pesticides without requiring genetic mutations.
A study by researchers at the University of Vermont found that 26% of people visiting parks during early COVID-19 months had rarely visited nature in the previous year. Park users reported increased importance for these areas and access to them, with 81% saying access was very important.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people in Vermont reported significant increases in outdoor activity, with women leading the way. Outdoor activities such as watching wildlife, gardening, and walking increased by up to 70%. People also valued nature for its mental health benefits, exercise opportunities, and sense of spirituality.
A study by University of Vermont researcher Tammy Kolbe found that inquiry-based science teaching requires minimum five hours instruction weekly to use recommended learning practices. Only one-third of eighth-grade students receive at least 5 hours of science instruction each week.
The US seafood industry is experiencing a significant downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with monthly fresh seafood exports declining by up to 43% and catches dropping by 40% in some months. The study suggests that American fishmongers may struggle without government aid.
A team of conservation scientists and ESA policy experts recommend deeper improvements to the rules governing the US Fish & Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. The goal is to make the Act more effective in protecting species, particularly in a warmer future.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that Lactobacillus reuteri, a commonly used probiotic, can exacerbate multiple sclerosis in mouse models. The research suggests that gut microbiome balance is crucial in chronic diseases and that a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment may not be effective.
A new COVID test has been developed that omits scarce reagents needed for previous tests, providing accurate results with high accuracy (92%) and reliability. The two-step test is ideal for screening programs in both developing and developed countries, and could extend testing capacity to groups not currently being tested.
A new study reveals that many primary forests in Europe are not protected and are at risk of being destroyed. The researchers found that only a small percentage of the forest types they assessed had more than half of their old growth strictly protected, highlighting the need for strict conservation protections to be put in place.
A global team of researchers has verified the checklist of vascular plants in New Guinea and surrounding islands, revealing a staggering 13,634 species. This finding confirms New Guinea as the world's richest island for plants, with 68% of its flora found only on the island.
Researchers at University of Vermont develop nanocage tool that can select and activate specific polymer chains in a lab, opening doors to new possibilities for precision chemistry and industrial applications.
A new study published in Pediatrics concludes that children infrequently transmit Covid-19 to each other or adults. With appropriate social distancing measures and community transmission rates considered, many schools can safely reopen in the fall.
A new study found that Vermont has conserved 33% of its highest priority targeted lands, with 87% of those acres also considered critical for wildlife habitats and corridors. However, lower elevation targets and riparian areas remain underprotected, highlighting the need for continued conservation efforts to achieve a sustainable future.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that an online program for women with infertility doubled their pregnancy rate, comparable to in-person programs. The Mind/Body Program offers ten hour-long modules of instruction covering stress management, relaxation techniques, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Researchers found a significant knowledge gap in how lakes respond to extreme storms, with inconsistent findings across studies. The team calls for a collaborative effort to develop a research framework to better predict phytoplankton responses to storm-induced changes.
Researchers use blue light intensity methods to analyze tree rings, recreating summer air temperature in the Eastern United States over 300-500 years. The project aims to understand longer-term climate trends and contribute to developing better general circulation models.
A team of complexity scientists have developed a 'meme' model for multiple diseases, revealing that interacting contagious diseases follow the same complex spreading patterns as social trends. The study found that even one more contagion can dramatically shift dynamics and trigger macroscopic jumps in epidemic size.
A joint Cuba/US research team discovered that Cuban fertilizer pollution is significantly lower than in the US's Mississippi River, with much lower phosphorus and nitrogen levels. The study suggests improved management strategies to reduce animal manure and sediment loads could further improve central Cuban river water quality.
A new study from the University of Vermont suggests that ecological systems exhibit high levels of randomness, making it difficult to determine the effectiveness of management strategies. The research found that intermediate levels of management effort can lead to higher variability in outcomes.
Research from UVM and MITRE shows that near-light-speed differences in stock prices create opportunities for latency arbitrage, costing investors at least $2 billion annually. High-frequency traders exploit faster information systems to buy stocks at better prices and sell them quickly, resulting in significant profits.