University of Massachusetts Amherst - Office of News & Information

Friday, August 29, 2008

An Online Resource for Journalists
 Daily News Summary

Each weekday morning, the Office of News and Information compiles a summary of news coverage about UMass Amherst and trends in higher education.

UMass Amherst

Headlines

Regional Travel Information Center at UMass Amherst Adds New Traffic Monitoring Systems

August 29, 2008

Information on local traffic conditions available online

AMHERST, Mass. – The Regional Traveler Information Center (RTIC) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has introduced two new traffic monitoring systems to keep commuters abreast of conditions on two busy local roadways. More...



More Than $40 Million in Improvements and Repairs Completed Over Summer at UMass Amherst

August 28, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. – As work on several major building projects continued this summer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, more than $40 million in safety, building and infrastructure improvements and repairs were also in progress across the campus. More...



UMass Amherst Announces First Week Activities As Students Return To Campus Starting Aug. 31

August 28, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. – Students returning to the campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst begin moving into residence halls on Sunday, Aug. 31 and classes begin Sept. 2. The students will be greeted with a full week’s schedule of activities from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6. More...



UMass Amherst Studies Question Health Benefit of Sports Drinks, High-Carbohydrate Foods Consumer After Exercise

August 27, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. – Three studies published by kinesiology researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst suggest that, unless you are a competitive athlete, consuming sports drinks or high-carbohydrate foods such as energy bars right after exercising may negate the health benefits that physical exercise creates. More...



UMass Amherst Faculty and Staff Achievements Noted

August 27, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. – Several University of Massachusetts Amherst faculty and staff members have received recognition for their work in recent weeks: More...



UMass Amherst Names C. Marjorie Aelion Dean of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences

August 26, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. – C. Marjorie Aelion has been named the new dean of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The announcement was made by Charlena Seymour, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. Aelion will begin her new duties Jan. 1, 2009. More...



$9.2 million renovation begins at UMass Amherst's Campus Center Hotel

August 22, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. – For the first time since the Campus Center Hotel at the University of Massachusetts Amherst opened its doors in 1970, the facility is undergoing a complete renovation of its guest rooms, lobby and adjoining areas. More...



Incoming Class of 4,100 Students at UMass Amherst Carries Impressive Academic Credentials

August 21, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst will welcome the Class of 2012 during the Labor Day weekend, approximately 4,100 undergraduates with impressive academic credentials drawn from a record number of applicants. This is the third consecutive year applications to UMass Amherst have increased with nearly 29,000 first-year student seeking admission, a 7-percent increase over last year. New students will move onto campus on Sunday, Aug. 31, with classes set to begin Tuesday, Sept. 2. More...



Installation of 60 New Security Cameras at UMass Amherst Broadens Campus Coverage

August 18, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. – By summer’s end, an additional 60 security cameras will be installed at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, bringing the total to more than 500 placed in residence halls, dining commons and other buildings as part of a campus safety program. More...



K9s Max and Kaila Retire from the UMass Police Department After Combined Seven Years of Duty

August 15, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. – When two veteran members of the UMass Amherst Police Department retired recently, they were given plaques, replica police badges and a warm send-off, but they might have preferred a nice toy or a rawhide flip. More...

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UMass Research

UMass Amherst Researchers Receive New Federal Funds to Continue Landscape Conservation Efforts

AMHERST, Mass. – Two researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst working on wetlands monitoring and assessment projects around the state have received a new round of funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Boston Hurricane Frequency Over Last Millennium Linked To Ocean Surface Temperatures By UMass Amherst Researchers

AMHERST, Mass. – The frequency of hurricanes striking the Boston area has varied widely over the last millennium, with periods of lowest activity corresponding to cooler surface temperatures in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean, according to newly published research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Commonly Used Pesticides on Golf Courses Do Not Pose a Health Risk to Golfers, Says UMass Amherst Researcher

AMHERST, Mass. – Maintaining golf courses requires the constant application of herbicides and insecticides. While some golfers may wonder if they are being poisoned in their pursuit of pleasure, new research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that residues of two widely used insecticides picked up by golfers during a typical golf game do not pose a health risk.

New Piece of Climate Change Puzzle Found In Ancient Sedimentary Rocks by UMass Amherst Researchers

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers have added a new source of carbon dioxide to the complex climate change puzzle by showing that ancient rocks can release substantial amounts of organic matter into Earth’s rivers and oceans, and that this organic matter is easily converted by bacteria to carbon dioxide, which enters the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.

Safer Blood Transfusions, Chemotherapy, Being Developed By UMass Amherst Researchers, Health Care Professionals

AMHERST, Mass. – Computer scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are working with Massachusetts healthcare professionals to analyze medical procedures, including blood transfusions and chemotherapy treatments, with the goal of improving patient safety. The team is also analyzing the flow of patients in emergency rooms to reduce waiting time.

UMass Amherst Researcher Sofiya Alhassan to Study Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents

AMHERST, Mass. – A scientist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has received federal funding to help her develop and validate new methods for processing physical activity in children age 8 through 16.

All Sweeteners May Not Be the Same When Managing Type 2 Diabetes and Complications, Say UMass Amherst Researchers

AMHERST, Mass. – Recent research by Kalidas Shetty of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Lena Galvez Ranilla of the University of San Paolo, Brazil, shows that when it comes to managing Type 2 diabetes, all sweeteners may not be the same. Some sweeteners, including date sugar and less refined, dark brown sugars, showed potential for managing Type 2 diabetes and related complications − information that could help Type 2 diabetics make better dietary choices.

Boosting Biofuels Production with Microwaves While Slashing Costs to Be Studied At UMass Amherst

AMHERST, Mass. – A team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a $440,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for research that will speed up the production of biofuels while slashing production costs. The research will focus on converting natural products, such as vegetable oil, wood and grasses, to liquid fuels.

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