Joseph S. Elkinton, UMass environmental conservation, comments in a television news story about brown marmorated stinkbugs. He says they are entering people homes now as they try to find a warm place for the winter. (WFXT-TV 25, 10/17/18)
News from the Media
Brown Marmorated Stinkbugs Coming in for Winter: UMass Joseph Elkinton Comments
October 18, 2018
Urban Planning in Worcester's Challenging Kelley Square, UMass Professor Comments
October 15, 2018
“Six streets in search of a stoplight,” they call the spot where Madison, Green, Harding, Water, Millbury and Vernon streets converge without benefit of stoplight or central rotary in Worcester. Michael DiPasqalue, licensced architect and urban planner who directs the UMass Design Center in Springfield, weighs in on the design of this unique intersection. (Telegram 10/15/18)
Fermented Foods and Colds: UMass Food Science Works With Real Pickles
October 16, 2018
A study to explore the role of fermeneted foods in boosting the immune system was conducted by UMass Food Science at Real Pickles (food producer) over a year and a half. Reserchers examined microbiome communities in the Greenfield facility which could lead to future studies and a better understanding of how to enhance nutrition in fermented foods. (Gazette 10/11/18; Recorder 10/15/18)
Centennial Celebrations Held for UMass Food Science and Stockbridge School
October 9, 2018
A news story recaps two departmental milestones celebrated within a week at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. (Republican 10/5/18; News Office release 10/2/18; News Office release 9/25/18)
Regional Strategy Could Boost Blue Economy, UMass Professor Facilitates Discussion
October 2, 2018
Katie Kahl, UMass Amherst assistant professor who heads the school's Gloucester Marine Station, facilitated a discussion about the 'blue economy" with Cape Ann Innovators Collaborative and a panel of local and regional entrepreneurs. Legislators attending included Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Ann Ferrante along with local business leaders. Blue economy refers to a sustainable, high-technology marine-based economy that experts say requires a regional approach. (Gloucester Daily Times 9/28/18; News Office 9/25/18 )
Bees’ Medicine Chest Should Include Sunflower Pollen, UMass Amherst Study Suggests
October 1, 2018
A new study produced by the University of Massachusetts Amherst may reveal the key to supporting the health of ailing bee populations. The study appears to point to a very crucial but simple resource that aids pollinator health: sunflowers. The UMass study that tackled this problem began as an undergraduate project conducted by former UMass student Jonathan Giacomini, his former academic adviser, evolutionary ecologist Lynn Adler and others. (Republican 9/27/18; News Office 9/26/18)
UMass Associate Professor Comments on Dangerous Foods
October 1, 2018
“I personally do not drink raw milk. Pasteurizing milk reduces or removes potential hazards,” says Amanda Kinchla, associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Department of Food Science. (Reader's Digest 9/28/18)
UMass Amherst Food Scientists Profile Microbes at a Fermented Vegetable Facility
September 25, 2018
Food scientists at UMass Amherst have mapped and characterized microbial populations in a vegetable fermentation facility and report that its microbiome was distinct between production and fermentation areas and that the raw vegetables themselves -- cabbages destined for sauerkraut -- were the main source of fermentation-related microbes in production areas rather than handling or other environmental sources. (Science Daily 9/25/18; Science Codex, Infosurhoy Technology Networks 9/26/18)
UMass-Amherst Scientists Claim Victory Over Winter Moth
September 6, 2018
Entomologists Joseph Elkinton, George Boettner and Hannah Broadley at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are declaring victory this month over the invasive winter moth – which begins life as a leaf-chomping, tree-denuding caterpillar that had threatened wide-spread defoliation of coastal New England shade trees and blueberries until the researchers introduced a natural parasitic fly that has greatly reduced moth numbers. (South Coast Today, Gazette 9/12/18; WFCR, 9/6/18; Republican, Globe, Wicked Local Wayland, 9/5/18; News Office Release)
Cranberry Farmers Want to Dump Part of Harvest: UMass Extension BOPO Chair Quoted
September 4, 2018
Cranberry farmers buried under a glut of the tart fruit are seeking permission for a radical way to dig themselves out: destroying millions of pounds of their crops. "Overproduction is the bane and has been for cranberries in the last few years, and consequently we’re not getting much money for our crops,” said Jack Angley, owner of Flax Pond Farms in Carver, and Chair of Board of Public Overseers [BOPO] for UMass Extension. (Globe 9/3/18)