Climate Change

Beal discusses sea squirts with BDN

The BDN interviewed Brian Beal, a marine scientist with the University of Maine at Machias and director of the Downeast Institute, about his concerns on the rising populations of invasive tunicates, also known as sea squirts, that are negatively impacting the local fishing industry. These creatures attach to lobster traps and aquaculture equipment, causing a […]

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WABI reports on new DOD-backed polar sciences research, training

WABI (Channel 5) reported on the Department of Defense (DOD) awarding a $9 million contract to the University of Maine for research that will significantly expand efforts to quantify snowpack properties, explore the impact of snowmelt on the surrounding terrestrial environments of Alaska and Maine, and expand training opportunities in polar science.  

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Earth.com highlights new study co-authored by UMaine researchers on impacts of pollution on Arctic atmosphere

A study reported on by Earth.com, led by Dartmouth College and involving researchers from the University of Maine, revealed that pollution alters the atmosphere in the remote Arctic. Fossil fuel pollution significantly reduces methanesulfonic acid (MSA) levels in Arctic ice cores, which misleads scientists about the health of marine ecosystems. The findings emphasize the importance […]

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Farms.com features UMaine’s partnership with WSU on fruit research

Washington State University is spearheading a nationwide research initiative, with collaboration from the University of Maine, to tackle the challenges posed by extreme temperatures on apple and pear crops. Farms.com reported on the $6.75 million project, which aims to develop effective strategies for mitigating climate-related stresses and improving resilience in pome fruit production.

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Maine Monitor highlights 2003 Maine Sea Grant salt marsh report

In an article titled “Development and rising seas threaten Maine’s salt marshes, a key carbon sink,” The Maine Monitor highlighted a 2003 Maine Sea Grant report which concluded that a healthy salt marsh anchors a food web “more productive than most midwestern farmland.” New England Public Media, WBUR, and Maine Public shared the article from […]

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Birkel speaks with NYT on extreme January storms on Maine’s coast

The New York Times interviewed Sean Birkel, Maine state climatologist and assistant research professor with the Climate Change Institute, on powerful storms that hit Stonington, Maine, in January. According to the article, Maine towns — which typically experience winter nor’easters with winds that blow water away from them — were caught off guard by the […]

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A photo of the Pursue Blue Horizons logo on a blue background

UMaine unveils new Blue Horizons brand campaign

The University of Maine, the state’s public flagship and only Research 1 (R1) institution, has launched its new brand campaign, Blue Horizons, that invites everyone to experience world-class education in a welcoming place of ingenuity, exploration and collaboration.  The Blue Horizons campaign aims to distinctly define and communicate UMaine’s unique strengths, positioning it as a […]

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Science News spotlights Andrade’s work on climate-resilient crops

Science News highlighted the work of Mario Andrade, a plant geneticist at the University of Maine, who is developing climate-resilient crops such as heat-tolerant potatoes. Researchers are leveraging advanced tools like genome-assisted breeding to create crops that can withstand the impacts of climate change.

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