Researchers including faculty members David Irwin, Prashan Shenoy, engineering, and Benjamin Weil, environmental conservation, have developed WattScale, an open-source AI tool that identifies energy-wasting homes. (VentureBeat, 7/7/20)
News from the Media
UMass Researchers Helped Develop WattScale
July 8, 2020
Nanoplastics Can Build up in Plants and Stunt Growth, Xing Discovers
June 23, 2020
Research by Baoshan Xing, environmental and soil chemistry, and colleagues in China, is showing direct evidence that nanoplastics can accumulate in land plants. Xing says, “Plant accumulation of nanoplastics can have both direct ecological effects and implications for agricultural sustainability and food safety.” (BioplasticsNews 7/6/20; Technology Networks, 6/24/20; iCrowdNewswire, 6/23/20 Environmental News Network, ScienceDaily, 6/22/20; News Office release)
NIFA Grant Funds Study on Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Strawberries
June 18, 2020
Hang Xiao, food science, has received a federal grant to expand his research into the health benefits of strawberries. Xiao and colleagues will aim to identify the mechanism by which whole strawberries affect the gut in positive ways. (Vegetable Growers News, 6/17/20)
UMass Magazine Lists Extension As Gardening Resource
June 16, 2020
UMass magazine publishes article about home gardening, touting extension fact sheets as great resource. (UMass Magazine, summer 2020)
Ohio Gardening Tip Sheet- UMass Extension Resource Mentioned
June 16, 2020
An article in Ohio newspaper offers advice for vegetable gardening and includes a tip sheet from UMass Extension among its list of resources. (Akron Beacon Journal, 6/11/20)
UMass Tick-testing Service Temporarily Halted by Work Furloughs
June 16, 2020
TickReport, UMass Amherst’s tick-testing service, is closed until June 19 because of staff furloughs. Stephen Rich, professor of microbiology and director of the lab, says one can send ticks in after June 19 when they reopen. (MassLive, 6/10/20)
Validating Climate Change Refugia, Morelli Reports in Special Issue
June 8, 2020
Conserving biodiversity in a rapidly changing world, Toni Lyn Morelli, UMass Amherst ecologist, along with her team, synthesized refugia science developments to date. (ESAjournal 6/1/20, News Office release 6/1/20)
New Evidence on Bed Bug Burden in Urban Neighborhoods, UMass Research Reveals
June 8, 2020
In a new study published in People and Nature, researchers from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst found a higher prevalence of bed bug infestations in neighborhoods with lower incomes, higher eviction rates and crowding. (Washington Post, 6/6/20; News Office release)
Free Composting Webinar Led by UMass Food Science Research Assistant
May 28, 2020
Chris Von Achen, food science research assistant, is one of the organizers of a free webinar on residential composting that will be presented by the Greater Quabbin Food Alliance’s Food Waste Reduction and Composting Working Group on May 29. (Recorder, 5/27/20)
Article on Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs Mentions UMass Extension
May 28, 2020
An article about the best ways to fertilize various plants, trees and shrubs mentions and links to tips offered by the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program. (Markets Insider, 5/27/20)
