The Maine Question

Sports have significant value for many people for various reasons. It serves as entertainment for some, a passion for others and a $1.3 trillion international industry for entrepreneurs.  College students studying business will find many career opportunities in sports management upon graduation. The Maine Business School at UMaine capitalized on the demand for college graduates […]

Oceans serve as the dominant feature of the Earth. They sustain life, which began in their salty waters, and influence weather and climate.  Despite the significance of Earth’s oceans, much of their history remains a mystery. Katherine Allen, and assistant professor from the School of Earth and Climate Sciences at the University of Maine, looks […]

Numerous medical professionals, biologists and other experts have been combating COVID-19 and the havoc it has wrought since the pandemic began. Physicists have also joined the fray, including one from the University of Maine. The invention of a new microscope allows Sam Hess, a professor of physics at UMaine, to obtain new insight into the […]

Many people nationwide are experiencing a decline in their mental health. Rates of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are rising, more so in rural areas. Ten out of 16 Maine counties have a shortage of mental health professionals. Only about half of the state population receives the services they need.  At UMaine, a major effort […]

The invasive browntail moth exploded in Maine this summer. It damages and kills trees and causes rashes and respiratory problems in humans. The moth, however, is only one of many invasive species that plague Maine forests. University of Maine entomologist Angela Mech helps combat these unwanted visitors from the front lines, and she and her […]

The Maine Question podcast from the University of Maine returns with season five kicking off September 23, 2021. Researchers, innovators and problem-solvers from UMaine will once again discuss their latest scientific inquiries and creative activities. We’ll also learn what drives their work and how it affects the Pine Tree State and beyond. Transcript Researchers, explorers, […]

Springtime in Maine can mean turning on the heat in the morning and the air conditioner in the afternoon. Spring also is when people flock to vegetable gardens, patios, flower beds and orchards. Gardening, which has been particularly popular during the pandemic, has a number of benefits — from reducing stress to increasing property values. […]

Refrigerators tell us when we’re out of juice. Digital assistants schedule appointments and alert us to the weather forecast. Driverless cars slide into tight parallel parking spaces. Today, many of us increasingly rely on devices, apps and artificial intelligence in our daily lives. How can technology be designed to do the most good? How can […]

Manufacturing — making products and adding value to raw materials — plays a crucial role in Maine’s economic well-being, but the industry is changing. Pulp and paper production has declined over the years as several mills have shuttered. Emerging firms are smaller than they once were, and many now use high-tech, precision manufacturing. Despite its […]

Last week’s episode of “The Maine Question” explored the value of undergraduate research at UMaine, but graduate students also support the university and economy through their work. With the 2021 UMaine Student Symposium April 16 approaching, we shine a spotlight on the role and value of graduate education and research. The university welcomed a record […]