Research

Press Herald highlights UMaine Extension’s tick monitoring program

The Portland Press Herald highlighted a pilot program from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab that established monitoring sites in 15 locations across Maine during summer 2024 to investigate environmental factors that influence tick abundance. Griffin Dill, integrated pest management professional who manages the tick lab, said the sites collect data that measures […]

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BDN publishes op-ed on plastics by UMaine graduate student

The Bangor Daily News published an opinion piece from Erin Victor, a doctoral candidate at the University of Maine, on addressing the use of single-use plastics in schools and normalizing reuse systems. Titled “We must move beyond magical thinking to normalize reuse systems,” the piece highlights her research in anthropology and environmental policy and engagement […]

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The Maine question podcast logo

‘The Maine Question’ dives into Maine’s blue economy  

The ocean, the plants and animals that reside in it and the coastline it formed are integral to Maine’s economy and culture. While heritage industries like fishing and shipbuilding have persisted for centuries, they and other coastal industries are changing. Climate change and the loss of working waterfront threaten their viability, but new fisheries, products, […]

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A photo of a lobster

American lobster population, habitat preferences shifting, study finds

American lobsters along Maine’s coast have relocated to new habitats, while the population simultaneously shrunk in abundance and grew older, according to a new study by University of Maine researchers. For decades, the vast majority of adult lobsters resided in boulder shelter habitats. This knowledge helped inform longtime conservation efforts and regulations within the more […]

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Ground station for UMaine satellite featured in Maine media

News Center Maine and Spectrum News featured the ground station used to monitor and communicate with Maine’s first small research satellite. MESAT1 was designed, built and tested by University of Maine students and faculty in collaboration with the University of Southern Maine, a trio of K-12 schools, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation and the Wells […]

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Maine Morning Star interviews Lee food waste impact study

Maine Morning Star interviewed Susanne Lee, University of Maine’s Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, about a food waste study from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and aided by her and other UMaine researchers, Resource Recycling Systems in Michigan and the Center for EcoTechnology in Massachusetts. “We have been saying for so […]

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A portrait of Joan Ferrini-Mundy

President Biden appoints UMaine’s Ferrini-Mundy to the National Science Board

Role Includes Oversight of the $9 billion National Science Foundation The White House today announced that President Biden has appointed University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy to serve on the prestigious National Science Board (NSB), the governing body of the National Science Foundation (NSF).  As one of 24 board members, Ferrini-Mundy will serve as an […]

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Inside Higher Ed reports on UMaine student wellness study

Inside Higher Ed reported on a new study led by University of Maine researchers that offered guidance on enhancing student well-being and highlighted the long term benefits of student-centered practices. Lead researcher Holly White, a Ph.D. student in ecology and environmental sciences emphasized the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and agency, urging more […]

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Money Geek cites Kaye on key strategies for aging in place

Money Geek cited Lenard Kaye, former director of the UMaine Center of Aging, on essential strategies for aging in place. Kaye emphasized safety modifications, the integration of technology and the vital role of family support. He said resources and expertise in gerontology and home accessibility can further assist older adults in maintaining their independence and […]

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Vox interviews Steneck on importance of protecting parrotfish

Bob Steneck, professor emeritus of oceanography, marine biology and marine policy at the University of Maine, discussed the role parrotfish play in maintaining healthy coral reef ecosystems with Vox. For example, Steneck said parrotfish help limit algae growth at the reef in Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean, which helps the coral survive.

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