UNH Today

DURHAM, N.H. — Every year excess fertilizer runs off agricultural farms along the Mississippi River and flows into the Gulf of Mexico creating a dead zone that reduces oxygen levels and kills marine organisms. Restoring wetlands along field-margins has long been proposed as a way to stop some of this overflow, but research from the University of New Hampshire finds that current restoration programs fall short. Instead of the intended reduction of 45%-60% of the damaging nitrates from the fertilizer ending up in the river, they found the nitrate export was only reduced, at most, by 30%.

DURHAM, N.H. — Drive around New England and it becomes obvious that the iconic moose is beloved and revered, showing up on everything from license plates to mugs and apparel. Even though they are a major draw for tourists, and important for forest habitat, moose are shy and can be a challenge to track to help protect from adversities like certain forest and land management and environmental factors like the increase of winter ticks.

DURHAM, N.H. — As Earth Day approaches, experts at the University of New Hampshire are available to offer insight around some of Mother Earth’s most pressing environmental challenges like climate change, lengthening seasons, increasing sea-level rise, diminishing snow and this year’s Earth Day theme, the “Planet vs. Plastics”.

DURHAM, N.H. — As maple syrup season seems to arrive and end earlier and earlier each year, producers are learning to adapt to variable weather patterns and seasonal shifts. Experts at the University of New Hampshire are available to talk about the impact climate change and milder winters are having on sap harvesting and what that might mean for the future of the industry. They can lend insight into the impact on sugaring—the need to tap trees earlier—and the possibility of producing syrup from non-maple tree species.

DURHAM, N.H. — New England’s dairy industry continues to evolve in response to significant market challenges that include a decreased demand for milk and higher production and land costs. However, there is also ongoing evidence that organic dairy farming can provide environmental benefits — such as reducing methane emissions — which could further differentiate their products as well as help qualify farms for new government initiatives to reduce methane through innovative management practices.

DURHAM, NH - The University of New Hampshire today announced the speakers for its commencement ceremonies this May.

“We look forward to having these successful individuals share their wisdom on the transition from college into the wider world and the value of a UNH experience,” UNH President James W. Dean, Jr. said. “It is always heartening to gather with students and their families to celebrate their academic achievements and welcome them to the Wildcat alumni association.”

DURHAM, N.H.—In the aftermath of the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, authorities are trying to figure out what went wrong and how the collision of the heavily traveled structure with a container cargo ship brought it crumbling down into the Patapsco River. Video shows the massive bridge buckling and tumbling into the water in a matter of seconds. Erin Bell, chair and professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of New Hampshire, is an expert on bridge construction and points to the structure of the bridge as a possible weakness.

DURHAM, N.H. — Television dramas, like CSI and NCIS, make criminal investigations look easy. In real life, DNA testing can be challenging and requires expensive equipment, special facilities and extensive training to identify DNA from a crime scene and determine which belongs to a potential suspect and which may have been transferred from someone who was never there. Research from the University of New Hampshire has found a less expensive and easier to use test to learn more about forensic touch DNA.

DURHAM, N.H.—As Princess Catherine continues to recover from a mysterious stomach surgery, a badly edited photo of the future queen released on Mother’s Day has the public questioning any news, or lack of, coming from the royal palace. As speculation and rumors swirl, Nicoletta Gullace, associate professor of history at the University of New Hampshire and an expert on the royal family, is available to comment if these latest issues are just a bump in the road for the royal family or if there is reason for Britons to question their confidence in the palace and the future of the monarchy.

DURHAM, N.H.—Recent major flooding and historical tide surges along the coastline of the United States have shown the significant and sometimes devastating damage that winter storms and increased sea level can cause in surrounding areas and infrastructure. The University of New Hampshire has several leading experts in coastal flooding and resiliency that can comment on a number of key topics like sea-level rise and more frequent powerful storms and their impact on infrastructure and transportation.