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University of Vermont


Global kids study: More trees, less disease

A University of Vermont-led study of 300,000 children in 35 nations reveals that those living near areas with greater tree cover are less likely to experience diarrheal disease. The research suggests that protecting watersheds can have a comparable effect to improved water sanitation.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 9, 2017

Discovery: Bernie Sanders spider

A research team led by Ingi Agnarsson discovered 15 new species of smiley-faced spiders in the Caribbean region, challenging previous assumptions about a single widespread species. The study highlights the importance of good taxonomy and conservation biology in protecting biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateSep 26, 2017

Climate change a buzzkill for coffee lovers

A new study finds climate change will reduce coffee-growing areas in Latin America by up to 88% by 2050, mainly due to declining bee populations. However, the research also identifies regions where bee diversity is likely to increase, potentially boosting coffee productivity.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 11, 2017

When you're blue, so are your Instagram photos

A new study has found a correlation between depressed people's Instagram photos and characteristics such as bluer tones, fewer faces, and a preference for filters that drain color. The algorithm's detection rate of 70% surpasses the success rate of general-practice doctors diagnosing depression in-person.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateAug 7, 2017

When old growth beats old school

A study from the University of Vermont found that imitating old-growth forests enhances carbon storage in managed forestland. The new technique, called structural complexity enhancement, showed higher levels of carbon storage than conventional forestry methods.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalEcosphere·DateApr 6, 2017

When helium behaves like a black hole

Scientists found that entangled quantum information shared between two regions of a container is determined by surface area, not volume, in superfluid helium. This discovery points to deeper understanding of reality and may be a step toward a long-sought quantum theory of gravity.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 21, 2017

Bee decline threatens US crop production

The study reveals wild bees are disappearing in US farmlands, including California, the Midwest and Mississippi Valley, threatening crop production. The 'trouble zone' counties face a potential mismatch between rising demand for pollination and falling supply of wild bees, highlighting the need for habitat restoration efforts.

Save the bees? There's an app for that

A new mobile app developed by University of Vermont researchers aims to help farmers protect endangered bees by calculating crop productivity and pollination benefits. The app allows users to explore land management scenarios and virtually test how bee-friendly decisions would improve their business.

Reboot Gitmo for science

Scientists seek to convert the notorious U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay into a leading marine research facility and peaceful sanctuary for threatened Cuban species. A 'green' Gitmo proposal, proposed by University of Vermont biologist Joe Roman, offers a potential solution to the long-standing impasse in U.S.-Cuba relations.

How many calories in that tweet?

A team of scientists invented a new instrument, called the Lexicocalorimeter, to measure the caloric content of social media posts. The device gathers geo-tagged Twitter posts and scores them based on typical calorie content and activity burn rates to provide insights into public health.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 13, 2017

Banks hold major information advantage over other investors

A study by University of Vermont researchers found that banks enjoy a significant edge over investors due to their superior access to local private information. Banks can quickly adapt to new information and withdraw capital or invest more heavily in targeted areas, giving them a major advantage. In contrast, direct investors face limi...

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of International Business Studies·DateFeb 1, 2017

Greenland on thin ice?

Two studies published in Nature offer new perspectives on the past behavior of Greenland's ice sheet, with one suggesting continuous presence for seven million years while another proposes it was nearly ice-free for at least 280,000 years. The findings highlight the complexity and dynamic nature of the ice sheet.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature·DateDec 7, 2016

Discovery: A new form of light

A team of scientists from the University of Vermont and Dartmouth College have discovered a new way that some molecules can make a luminescent glow, breaking Kasha's Rule. The newly discovered pathway to creating light may prove useful in industrial materials, LEDs, and biomedical imaging.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Chemistry·DateOct 5, 2016

Drugs in the water? Don't blame the students

A new study by University of Vermont scientists contradicts the long-held belief that students flushing unused medications down the drain contribute significantly to pharmaceutical pollution. Instead, research found that excretion and other sources, like pharmaceutical manufacturing, are much more important contributors to wastewater.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateSep 1, 2016

Insect outbreaks reduce wildfire severity

A University of Vermont-led study finds that insect outbreaks, such as mountain pine beetle and western spruce budworm infestations, significantly reduce wildfire severity. This contrasts with popular attitudes linking the two, and provides new insights for forest management and policy applications.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateApr 28, 2016

Transforming teaching with Twitter

A new study shows that Twitter can enhance middle school learning, with students reporting significant increases in exposure to reputable science leaders, broadening their audience, and connecting science to their lives. The research highlights the potential of open social networking tools like Twitter for personalizing education.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalMiddle School Journal·DateApr 27, 2016

The P tax cometh

A new study warns that intensive farming in tropical regions may require vast amounts of phosphorus fertilizer, which is a limited natural resource. The researchers estimate that if global demand for food continues to rise, the phosphorus tax imposed by these soils could double by 2050.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Plants·DateApr 18, 2016

Why education doesn't bring women equal pay

A global study reveals that despite closing the education gap with men, women still face significant barriers to accessing quality jobs and government representation. Women have reached 91% of men's education levels but only 70% of their employment rate and 25% of political representation.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of African Development·DateApr 15, 2016

New study adds key piece to autism puzzle

A new study using eye-tracker technology shows that children with autism spectrum disorder fixate longer on a speaker's mouth rather than the eyes when the conversation turns emotional. The findings could affect speech therapy treatment, as children with ASD may miss social cues in facial expressions.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders·DateApr 4, 2016

Massive deforestation found in Brazil's Cerrado

The study found that agricultural land has doubled within the Cerrado region, replacing native vegetation and altering the water cycle. Continued agricultural growth could reduce rainfall or delay critical rainy periods, threatening both natural vegetation and agricultural production.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 1, 2016