Earth, Life, and Health Sciences

Eco Magazine features research on kelp forest collapse impact on food web

Eco Magazine featured a new study from researchers with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and the University of Maine which revealed that food web and energy dynamics have changed in the Gulf of Maine following the collapse of kelp forest and subsequent rise in carpet-like turf algae. “People have studied the importance of kelp forests […]

Read more

Daigneault discusses new forest carbon program law with Maine Public

Maine Public interviewed Adam Daigneault, director of the University of Maine’s School of Forest Resources, about a new state law requiring woodland owners to report contracts they’ve entered with forest carbon offset programs “If anything, that’ll help move the conversation forward about what is the role of forest carbon credits and carbon offsets in how […]

Read more

News Center interviews Cameron on Bangor combating emerald ash borer

Sophia Cameron, a city of Bangor intern who recently earned her master’s degree from the University of Maine, spoke with News Center Maine, about efforts to protect the city’s ash trees from emerald ash borer. “If we were to do nothing, all of those trees would likely die over the next 10 years,” she said. […]

Read more

A collage of images featuring Amanda Gavin

Amanda Gavin: Investigating Greenland’s rapidly changing water supply

For nearly a decade, Amanda Gavin has studied and conserved lakes, including many in Maine, that provide drinking water and support agriculture. Today, she’s investigating what the future may hold for tens of thousands of crystalline blue lakes within an Arctic country experiencing rapid ecological change: Greenland.  More frequent heat waves, drought, heavy rain and […]

Read more

Camire discusses how fiber can reduce colon cancer risk with HuffPost

HuffPost interviewed Mary Ellen Camire, professor of food science and human nutrition, about the health benefits of fiber and how it can help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Fiber is often prebiotic, meaning it’s food for probiotic bacteria, Camire said. Probiotics help rebuild and balance people’s microbiome. “When the bacteria get a nice fiber […]

Read more

A photo of plastic tubing on a trunk of a tree

Tapping for gold: UMaine research fortifies state’s maple industry

It’s late spring, and the leaves on Maine’s maple trees are full – the buds have swelled, and the season for collecting sap is long over.  Maine maple sugar producers, like Mark Prentiss and Kim Roberts, are already at work preparing for next year’s sap-collecting season. Prentiss and Roberts, who are married, are co-owners of […]

Read more

A photo of President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Maine Gov. Janet Mills

Maine kicks off Dairy Month at Witter Farm to celebrate industry advances

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and Gov. Janet Mills launched Dairy Month on June 6 at the University of Maine’s Witter Farm, uniting dairy farmers, 4-H students, researchers, state and local leaders and industry partners. Together, and with a celebratory milk toast, they highlighted the vital role of dairy in Maine’s agricultural […]

Read more

A photo of Jose Eduardo Meireles

Meireles to illuminate centuries of biodiversity data with $1M award from NSF

Jose Eduardo Meireles, assistant professor of plant evolution and systematics at the University of Maine, has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award to develop faster, cheaper methods to study biodiversity and plant function. The CAREER, or Faculty Early Career Development, awards are among NSF’s most prestigious and support research and education activities led […]

Read more