Earth, Life, and Health Sciences

BDN highlights UMaine research in 2024 overview of PFAS mitigation efforts

The Bangor Daily News highlighted research from the University of Maine in 2024 that aided statewide efforts to research, inform and protect communities from a group of chemicals known as PFAS. UMaine efforts include research to develop coatings free of PFAS for food wrappers and other paper products by using seaweed and tree pulp; and […]

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Kennebec Journal interviews Birkel on extreme weather in Maine

The Kennebec Journal interviewed Maine state climatologist Sean Birkel on how extreme weather patterns, such as the December 2023 flooding along the Kennebec River, will affect Maine in the future. Birkel said events like the flooding last December will get more severe with climate change. “We’re much more uncertain about the frequency part,” Birkel said. […]

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CBS 5 highlights research from UMaine on virtual volunteer work

WABI (CBS 5 in Bangor) highlighted a report on virtual volunteering that was co-authored by researchers at the University of Maine Center on Aging. The report found that volunteer work performed entirely and partly online is increasing. Virtual and hybrid volunteers contributed more than 1.2 billion service hours in 2023, representing $41.5 billion in economic […]

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Inside Climate News interviews Klein on Eastport renewable energy project

Inside Climate News interviewed Sharon Klein, associate professor of economics at the University of Maine, on Eastport’s efforts to become energy resilient and serve as a model of energy independence for remote communities. Klein said the success of the Eastport project still relies on a few unknowns, such as the balancing capabilities of the grid […]

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ABC 8, Press Herald cite research from budworm task force

WMTW (ABC 8 in Portland) and the Portland Press Herald highlighted research on budworm outbreaks from a state task force in which the University of Maine Cooperative Forestry Research Unit is a partner. The research states that every 30 to 60 years, there is an outbreak and severe defoliation. Maine is expected to have outbreak […]

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More volunteers are logging in online, study finds 

Virtual volunteering  performed entirely online is on the rise, according to a new report co-authored by University of Maine researchers, creating new opportunities for service by removing geographical barriers and offering increased flexibility.  The Civic Engagement and Volunteering (CEV) supplement to the Current Population Study, the nation’s most comprehensive report on civic engagement, also revealed […]

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BDN, News Center highlight PFAS research from UMaine

The Bangor Daily News and News Center Maine highlighted research projects from the University of Maine that are focused on the effects of a group of chemicals known as PFAS. Two of the university’s projects are underway at Hunter Farm in Topsham; one is researching to what degree biochar is capturing PFAS and the other […]

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Texas Tribune interviews Mallory on state responses to PFAS

The Texas Tribune interviewed Ellen Mallory, a professor and specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and School of Food and Agriculture, on Maine’s response to the presence of a group of chemicals known as PFAS. Mallory said the state’s response has been crucial in dealing with PFAS because of the lack of regulations […]

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Press Herald, News Center report on UMaine weather station network initiative

The Portland Press Herald and News Center Maine reported on an initiative from the University of Maine to build a statewide automated weather station network. The effort will be supported by $3.5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending secured in the federal fiscal year 2024 budget by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King. The project […]

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