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University of Vermont


The non-driving millennial? Not so simple, says new research

A new study by University of Vermont researchers suggests that high school age teens' decisions to begin driving when they're of age are influenced by infrastructure and land use patterns in their community. The study found that teens from suburban areas with limited public transportation options obtained their driver's license earlier...

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalAnnals of the Association of American Geographers·DateMar 28, 2016

Green Gitmo

Researchers propose transforming Guantánamo Bay into a marine research center and international peace park, uniting the US and Cuba in joint management. The proposal aims to protect coral reefs, marine life, and promote sustainable development.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalScience·DateMar 17, 2016

Discovery: Many white-tailed deer have malaria

Researchers estimate that up to 25% of white-tailed deer along the East Coast of the United States are infected with Plasmodium odocoilei, a previously unknown malaria parasite. The discovery fundamentally changes our understanding of malaria distribution and evolutionary history in mammals.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 5, 2016

The secret of scholars who impact policy

A new study in PNAS suggests that environmental scholars can increase their policy impact by consulting widely with stakeholders during research. Stakeholder engagement is found to be a better predictor of future policy impacts than perceived scientific credibility.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 1, 2016

Study: Controlling parents create mean college kids

A new study by University of Vermont psychologist Jamie Abaied found that college students whose parents exert psychological control are more likely to engage in hostile behavior with their peers. The study suggests that parental control can stunt independence and lead to relational aggression, which involves harming feelings or damagi...

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateJan 21, 2016

Wild bee decline threatens US crop production

The US has identified key agricultural regions at high risk for wild bee decline, which could destabilize crop production. The study suggests 39% of croplands face a pollinator shortage, with the Midwest's corn belt and California's Central Valley particularly affected.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2015

Scientists peg Anthropocene to first farmers

A new study suggests that the beginning of the Anthropocene era was linked to the emergence of agriculture around 6,000 years ago. The researchers found a shift in the frequency of aggregated versus segregated species pairs in ancient ecosystems, which they attribute to human activity that altered the terrestrial landscape.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature·DateDec 17, 2015

Teaching the blind to draw -- and do STEM

E.A.S.Y. LLC has received a $1 million NIH grant to develop an interactive graphics printer that translates conventional graphics to raised-line versions for the blind, enabling them to take math and science courses like sighted students. The printer will be used in schools nationwide to create accessible worksheets.

In preventing return of winter blues, talk outshines light, new study says

A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is more effective than light therapy in preventing relapse of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). CBT was found to be significantly better at preventing depression recurrence, with only 27% of subjects experiencing symptoms compa...

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateNov 5, 2015

Exercise reduces suicide attempts by 23 percent among bullied teens

A new study finds that regular exercise significantly reduces both suicidal thoughts and attempts among students who are bullied. Being physically active four or more days per week resulted in a 23 percent reduction in suicidal ideation and attempts in bullied students. Exercise is also associated with significant reductions in sadness.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateSep 21, 2015

Building the electron superhighway

Researchers at the University of Vermont have developed a new method to create an 'electron superhighway' in organic materials, allowing electrons to flow faster and farther. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar cells and flexible electronics with enhanced efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 14, 2015

Color-blind? Whites aware of their bias better for modern race issues, says new study

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology finds that white Americans who acknowledge their biases are more effective at addressing contemporary racial challenges. The research suggests that personal awareness and acceptance are key factors in developing 'concerned awareness' of racial bias.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateJul 15, 2015

Flies released to attack hemlock-killing pest

A team of scientists has released two species of silver flies from the Pacific Northwest to attack the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect killing millions of hemlock trees on the East Coast. Early results suggest the flies have successfully reproduced and preyed on the pest in Tennessee and New York.

Surprisingly few 'busy bees' make global crops grow

A major international study reveals that only two percent of wild bee species are responsible for pollinating 80 percent of global crops. This finding underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity, particularly among common wild bee species such as the common eastern bumblebee and red-tailed bumblebee.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 16, 2015

Palm oil price change could save tigers, other species

A new study finds that shoppers' willingness to pay more for sustainably grown palm oil could create profitable incentives for producers to preserve certain wildlife habitats. The study shows that higher prices for 'conservation grade' products can promote biodiversity at the least cost to oil palm companies.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

The power of best friends

A study by University of Vermont professor Lori Erbrederis Meyer found that inclusive classrooms without disability awareness curricula do not increase friendships for students with disabilities. However, having a best friend helps children with high rates of problem behaviors and low social skills gain peer acceptance.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalTopics in Early Childhood Special Education·DateApr 24, 2015

3-D snapshot of protein highlights potential drug target for breast cancer

A study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology reveals that human DNA polymerase theta may be a promising drug therapy target for inhibiting breast cancer. The researchers used X-ray crystallography to determine the first crystal structures of POLQ, providing insights into its role in DNA repair and genomic instability.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 17, 2015

How to avoid a bad hire

A new study by University of Vermont researcher David Jones found that job ads focusing on what employers can provide to applicants, such as work autonomy and career advancement, attract more highly rated applicants. These ads received almost three times as many high-quality applications as those emphasizing demands-abilities fit.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of Business and Psychology·DateFeb 16, 2015

F-bombs notwithstanding, all languages skew toward happiness

A new study by University of Vermont researchers confirms that humans use more positive words than negative ones across ten languages, including Arabic, Korean, and Chinese. The study analyzed billions of words from various sources and found a consistent positivity bias, indicating that language itself has a positive outlook.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 2015

Humans erode soil 100 times faster than nature

Researchers found that rates of hillslope erosion before European settlement were about an inch every 2500 years, while during peak land disturbance in the late 1800s and early 1900s, rates spiked to an inch every 25 years. This indicates a 100-fold increase in soil loss due to human activities.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalGeology·DateJan 7, 2015

Spiders: Survival of the fittest group

A study by Pruitt and Goodnight found that group-level adaptations, such as a critical ratio of two types of females, are potent evolutionary forces in nature. In spider colonies, docile and aggressive females adapt to specific locations, with the ratio shifting between survival-friendly and threat-prone conditions.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2014