The Maine Question

A group of chemicals known as PFAS have become a growing concern for human health, agriculture and the environment. Because they resist breaking down, these “forever chemicals” can accumulate in soil, water and food systems and expose people to a range of adverse health conditions. From nonstick cookware and disposable tableware to everyday items like […]

Stress has always been a part of life, whether from the news, the economy, the environment, a mortgage, a job or school. It can be found in every profession and any workplace, affecting performance and leading to burnout. Job-related stress in professions like nursing and teaching are increasingly overwhelming many who chose these career paths. […]

The Zebrafish is hardly the most impressive fish you will see when you visit your local pet store. Less than an inch long, this native of Southeast Asia is a favorite for people with aquariums. UMaine has many research projects that use Zebrafish as a model which have led to some groundbreaking discoveries. In this episode of The […]

Robots are coming — or in some cases, have come — to Maine but not to destroy civilization like in the movies. They’re here to help, specifically to help Maine manufacturing companies modernize and become more productive. The University of Maine Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) is helping manufacturers in the state integrate new robotics, such […]

Before it was a state, Maine had already earned a reputation for its great outdoors. It began as a place where anyone could hunt and fish, and served as a summer destination with numerous second homes owned by celebrities and other wealthy individuals. Today, the outdoors are a major part of the economy, generating $3.4 […]

The man known to many students as Dean Dana or Dr. Dana retired in January after four decades of service to the University of Maine community. Robert Dana, former vice president of student life and inclusive excellence, guided students along their journeys through kindness, care and compassion. For nearly a quarter of the university’s existence, […]

From the military to athletics to campus fraternity and sorority life, students and others endure hazing to satisfy the basic human desire to be part of a group. It operates in the shadows, but when hazing does appear in the headlines, it is often associated with tragic consequences.  Elizabeth Allan, professor of higher education leadership […]

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 maritime industries are changing. Climate change and the loss of working waterfront threaten their viability, but new fisheries, products, […]

Romanticized by outdoor enthusiasts and feared by warm-weather lovers, Maine is faced with an era of adaptability as climate change begins to alter the state’s identity. Deemed a “lost winter,” the 2023-24 snow season capitalized on what the future could look like for Maine’s residents, economy and tourism.  Coastal communities are racked with complications caused […]

On April 8, Mainers will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a rare cosmic event without traveling out of state: a total solar eclipse. Space enthusiasts from across the U.S. are flocking to communities in rural Maine like Jackman and Houlton and enjoy three-and-a-half minutes of totality, when they can see a ring of light […]