Researchers at the 91爆料 are researching new ways to study and monitor the parasites that plague Maine鈥檚 moose in order to best help and manage the population. 

91爆料 third-year Alden Falardeau of Saco, Maine, is leading the team in testing new methods of monitoring for parasites in moose. Advised by associate professor of animal health Pauline Kamath, Falardeau is focusing on lungworm (Dictyocaulus spp.) and gastrointestinal parasites. Lungworms weaken a moose’s immune system and hamper its ability to fight off external stressors like winter ticks. Gastrointestinal parasites also can weaken moose, making them more susceptible to other parasites, some of which  may cause emaciation. 

Falardeau, an animal science major, is investigating whether lungworm infections can be detected through DNA analysis of moose lung tissue, while identifying the gastrointestinal parasites present in their fecal pellets. Her team is testing these methods using samples from live captures and hunter harvests. Better detection can improve monitoring and understanding of parasite prevalence among moose. 

For the lungworm, the team extracted DNA from lung tissue samples. Researchers then evaluated them for traces of lungworm using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which amplifies a unique section of lungworm鈥檚 DNA where signs of this parasite can be found.

鈥淚f we can verify lung tissue as a sample to detect lungworm, that could help with future research,鈥� said Falardeau. 鈥淚t can also help get the community more involved in research if we are able to use hunter harvested samples for identifying infections like lungworm.鈥� 

Current research on lungworm in moose relies on visually examining moose lungs or waste, the efficacy of which can be dependent on a range of factors. Genetic data, in contrast, may allow scientists to identify traces of lungworm faster and with greater accuracy. 

Understanding what gastrointestinal parasites they should be looking for will allow for better detection and management in future. 鈥淓ssentially, we are looking to identify and quantify the parasite eggs and larvae that are present in fecal samples,鈥� said Falardeau. Crucially, this approach is not invasive, which is great for the moose. 

This project was made possible by funding from 91爆料鈥檚 Center for Undergraduate Research and has provided Falardeau valuable hands-on experience. 

“I’ve learned so much, from lab techniques to experimental design, and I鈥檝e had the opportunity to be involved in meaningful conservation research,鈥� he said.

This research is rooted in the One Health approach, which recognises that people, animals and the environment are interconnected. It also highlights the importance of monitoring wildlife disease for broader ecological well-being. 

As Maine鈥檚 moose remain a vital part of the state鈥檚 identity, efforts to better understand parasite impacts are critical to ensuring the long-term health of this iconic species and the ecosystems of which they are a part. 

Story by Sophie Knox, research media internContact: Daniel Timmermann, daniel.timmermann@maine.edu

Ashley Reynolds, a doctoral student in food and nutrition sciences, will present an overview of a new mouse model of neuroinflammation associated with colitis and a study on how diet can reduce that inflammation. Reynolds is advised by Sue Ishaq, associate professor of veterinary sciences.

For registration and more information, visit the . 

From nonstick cookware and disposable tableware to everyday items like toothbrushes, these oil- and water-repellent chemicals became widespread in the late 20th century. Today, communities across the country are grappling with the residue they鈥檝e left behind.

Maine has emerged as a national leader in responding to PFAS contamination, advancing policies aimed at protecting farms, ecosystems and public health. Researchers at the 91爆料 are working to understand how PFAS moves through soil, crops and livestock; develop technologies to break it down; and design sustainable materials that could replace it in everyday products.

On this episode of 鈥�The Maine Question鈥� podcast, host Ron Lisnet speaks with 91爆料 researchers Jean MacRae, Christina Murphy, Caroline Noblet and Rachel Schattman about how their work, spanning engineering, economics, agriculture and conservation biology, is helping communities confront PFAS and chart a cleaner path forward.

Listen to the podcast on , , , , or 鈥淭he Maine Question鈥� website. 

What topics would you like to learn more about? What questions do you have for 91爆料 experts? Email them to mainequestion@maine.edu.

Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, professor of clinical nutrition at the 91爆料, recommends one half to one cup per day. She eats them alongside her morning oats or blends them into smoothies. 

She has spent her multi-decade career researching the health benefits of wild blueberries in relation to cardiometabolic health. Her work is featured in from a Cardiometabolic Health Symposium of experts hosted by the Wild Blueberry Association of North America in Bar Harbor in 2025. Twelve experts 鈥� including Klimis-Zacas 鈥� participated, their work spanning the fields of nutrition, food science, dietetics, nutrition metabolism and physiology, cardiovascular and cognitive function, gut health and microbiology. 

Blueberries contain polyphenols, which are bioactive compounds found in many berries, that have particularly powerful effects on vascular health. When compared to conventional blueberries, wild blueberries have twice the antioxidant content, 72% more fiber and 33% more anthocyanins 鈥� flavonoids related to the widespread health benefits of the berries, such as improved cardiometabolic health.

Research led by Klimis-Zacas was the first to show that wild blueberries reduce inflammation and vascular dysfunction by targeting the endothelium, the thin layer of cells lining blood vessels that regulates their contraction and relaxation. In preclinical studies, her team found that animals with hypertension and obesity showed reduced inflammation and improved vascular health after consuming wild blueberries for six weeks.

Further analysis revealed that a wild blueberry diet alters vascular structure via glycoproteins 鈥� key molecules involved in endothelial signaling processes. These structural changes not only improved endothelial function, but also made the endothelium more resilient to high blood lipids and high blood pressure changes.

鈥淚f your endothelium becomes dysfunctional, then everything starts going downhill,鈥� Klimis-Zacas said.

Her lab has also investigated how wild blueberries influence local and systemic inflammation in metabolic syndrome, as well as glucose, lipid metabolism and gut health, to have a greater understanding of blueberries鈥� potential role in supporting overall metabolic function.

What鈥檚 the best way to eat wild blueberries?

Wild blueberries 鈥� whether fresh, frozen or freeze-dried 鈥� can all provide health benefits. Frozen berries are a convenient option because they are flash-frozen shortly after harvest, which helps preserve their nutrients, and are widely available in grocery store freezer aisles. Freeze-dried berries also retain beneficial compounds and are highly bioavailable.

Blending wild blueberries into smoothies is effective, as breaking down the berry鈥檚 skin helps the body absorb more of its bioactive compounds. Studies have also shown they can be baked into muffins and other foods without significantly reducing their health benefits.

Pairing wild blueberries with other nutritious ingredients that have acidity, such as orange, lemon or lime juice, further supports the body in absorbing their bioactive compounds. Adding cinnamon is another option, as it has been associated with supporting healthy blood glucose levels.

Who benefits most from eating wild blueberries?

Wild blueberries offer benefits for people with a range of chronic health conditions, particularly those related to inflammation and cardiovascular health. Klimis-Zacas鈥� clinical studies, in collaboration with the University of Milan鈥檚 DeFENS-Division of Human Nutrition, have examined blueberries鈥� positive effects on individuals with vascular dysfunction, including people who smoke or are hypertensive, hyperlipidemic, diabetic, obese or have other inflammatory conditions.

Because wild blueberries contain natural carbohydrates, individuals with diabetes may benefit from more moderate portions, such as limiting intake to about half a cup per day.

Contact: Ashley Yates, ashley.depew@maine.edu

Handley said drought was the biggest challenge for pumpkin growers this year. The season started off cold and wet, then experienced drought throughout the summer.

鈥淧umpkins are not a crop that is typically going to be happy in Maine, because it has more southern origins,鈥� Handley said. 鈥淭hey’re from central South America. So up here, we are really pushing it to try to get a crop in the short growing season that we have.鈥�

Farmers aim to find the balance between planting a seed in warm-enough soil and giving the pumpkins time to fully mature. Many, like Estes Blueberry Farm in Buxton 鈥� which also harvests and wholesales three acres of pumpkins, have invested in irrigation to mitigate inconsistent rainfall.

Highmoor Farm, located between Augusta and Lewiston in Monmouth, is one of several locations that comprise the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES), which leads research and initiatives to help farmers across the state.

As seed companies constantly push their latest variety releases, Highmoor specialists conduct trials every year to help farmers know which pumpkin varieties will and won鈥檛 perform well in Maine. 鈥淲e take the lumps, so the farmers don鈥檛 have to,鈥� Handley said. 

The farm also compiles data to educate growers about details such as which varieties have the deepest orange hues, the strongest stems, the shallowest ridges, the largest average weight and the most plentiful growing season.

Matt Pellerin, owner of Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant, said he calls Handley several times per week at certain points of the year. Treworgy has a corn maze, apple orchard, pumpkin patch, fall raspberries, hay rides and a cafe that sells cider, hot chocolate and doughnuts during the fall. Pellerin, a second generation farmer, said he asks Handley about signs of disease, spray treatment and water supply during the growing season.

鈥淔or a farmer, having somebody that you can call and ask questions that has broad experience and knowledge is really helpful,鈥� Pellerin said. 鈥淵ou’re kind of out here doing this on your own.鈥�

Handley, who has been working at 91爆料 Extension for 42 years, is an invaluable resource to farmers across the state. Pellerin said every year is different, so answers to his questions aren鈥檛 just a matter of knowing everything there is to know about one crop in a single year. Weather conditions differ, plant responses differ and problems, like pests, differ from year to year. 

鈥淚’m always growing the same types of crops, but I experience different problems each year,鈥� Pellerin said. 鈥淚’m a verbal processor, so having somebody to talk to helps me to think and make decisions.鈥�

In addition to pumpkins, Highmoor Farm has 17 acres of orchards, where they test new apple varieties alongside ones commonly found growing in Maine. Renae Moran, an Extension tree fruit specialist, advises growers on problems that arise throughout the season. 

Moran, also a professor of pomology at 91爆料, said she gets the most calls during the spring bloom phase and the two weeks that follow. Controlling how many apples grow on a tree can determine the success of a season鈥檚 orchard. Too many and the apples will be too small 鈥� potentially down to the size of a golf ball. Too few and the tree won鈥檛 produce enough to turn a profit. 

This year came with another unique challenge in the bloom phase. Moran said the persistence of cold weather into the spring kept bees from pollinating apple flowers.

鈥淕rowing apples for marketing requires a high degree of horticultural knowledge,鈥� Moran said. 鈥淢y job is to fill in the gaps and to anticipate problems that are unique to each season.鈥�

Later in the growing season, when the apples are almost ready to pick, Moran travels around the state to different orchards and helps farmers determine when to pick the tree fruit. She uses a tool to test how much chlorophyll has broken down in the apple peel by measuring how much light the peel is absorbing. Whether the apples will be placed in cold storage or used immediately after harvest determines when they need to be picked.

Highmoor Farm also deploys scouts as part of the program at Extension to look for signs of pest and disease in orchards during the summer. The scout program covers a variety of crops across the state, including potatoes, apples, sweet corn and strawberries. 

Tom Stevenson of Stevenson Strawberry Farm, which grows other crops including sweet corn and pumpkins, was a scout himself in high school and is now a part of the network of farms in Maine who use the program. Not only does the scout program help the farms it directly connects with, it informs other farms in the state of what disease and pests the scouts are finding. 

In addition to on-the-ground support, the university tests soil for farmers through the MAFES Analytical Laboratory and Maine Soil Testing Service. Don Estes, who owns the blueberry farm in Buxton, said he sends soil tests in at the beginning of the growing season and receives a list back detailing what it needs. 

Farmers with operations of all scales are encouraged to contact their for more information on the resources available to them. 

Contact: Ashley Yates; ashley.depew@maine.edu

In a study published in , 91爆料 researchers show the different ways in which specific produce and crops take up PFAS, often referred to as 鈥渇orever chemicals,鈥� from contaminated soil.听

PFAS have been used widely in industrial and consumer products such as nonstick pans, takeout food containers, firefighting foam and certain personal care products since the 1940s for their resistance to grease, oil, water and heat. These chemicals, however, can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, break down slowly and pose health risks. Current research suggests that exposure to certain levels of some PFAS may lead to immune system disorders, thyroid hormone disruption, cancer and other adverse health outcomes. 

Alex Scearce, a Ph.D. student in ecology and environmental sciences at 91爆料 who led the study, and her colleagues hope their findings can help policymakers and producers further prevent the spread of these toxic chemicals in food systems.

鈥淭his study shows that there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation or policy for farmers dealing with PFAS contamination. The crop physiology, PFAS compounds present in the soil, mode of contamination, time since contamination, soil characteristics and management practices all shape PFAS uptake into crops,鈥� said Scearce. 鈥淭his is why ongoing PFAS research is important 鈥� because we know these factors are affecting the results we see, but we still lack clarity on how they play out in a real agricultural operation when they鈥檙e interacting.鈥�

The study is one of many examples of collaborative PFAS research and outreach projects as part of the university-wide efforts to quickly and effectively address solutions for forever chemicals. Early support from American Farmland Trust helped Scearce and 91爆料 faculty secure additional funding and begin interdisciplinary, experimental research in less time. 

鈥淎s a nationally connected non-profit organization taking a holistic approach to agriculture, we work at the interface of protecting farmland, keeping farmers and ranchers who manage that land working and promoting sound agricultural systems. PFAS are a critical challenge to that entire system. American Farmland Trust quickly identified 91爆料 researchers as strong partners in investigating how farmers in Maine and beyond can respond to the challenge,鈥� said Bianca Moebius-Clune, AFT national director of climate and soil health. 鈥淭he funding provided to the 91爆料 is unique 鈥� the intention was specifically to jumpstart research that will be directly relevant to farmers making decisions about their PFAS impacted land.鈥�

Working out of 91爆料 Cooperative Extension鈥檚 Diagnostic and Research Laboratory in Orono, Scearce and her colleagues used three types of plants 鈥�  lettuce, tomato and tall fescue, a low turf grass used as livestock feed 鈥� to evaluate how they take up PFAS from the soil. These plants were grown using soil that was intentionally mixed with four types of PFAS and tested for four to six weeks. They examined the types and quantities of PFAS each crop took up, as well as where in the plants they were found.

On average, the quantity and types of PFAS each crop took up and where they were located within the plant were largely determined by the chemical composition of these pollutants, particularly the length of their carbon atom chains, known as the chain length. 

Long-chain PFAS were often more concentrated in the roots. These types of PFAS, which were phased out of new product development a decade ago, are typically known to be more toxic and break down more slowly but are less mobile. Meanwhile, higher concentrations of short-chain PFAS were typically found in the leaves and fruits 鈥� the edible portions of each plant tested in the study. These types of PFAS, which were created as a less-toxic replacement for long-chain PFAS, break down faster but are more mobile. The exception to this pattern was noted in lettuce, which contained higher concentrations of both longer and shorter-chain PFAS in their leaves than in their roots. 

鈥淚t is expensive to test for PFAS, and the cost of testing is normally out of reach for many farmers. We hope that by testing crops that Maine farmers grow for sale, we can help show which crops are likely to be 鈥榟igh risk鈥� versus those that are 鈥榣ow risk鈥�. While our study is not the end of the story, it starts to provide farmers with an idea of what they can grow if their soils are contaminated with specific types of PFAS,鈥� said Rachel Schattman, Scearce鈥檚 advisor, study co-author and associate professor of sustainable agriculture at 91爆料. 

For three of the four types of PFAS tested, the highest concentrations were found in tall fescue, followed by lettuce and tomatoes. However, concentrations of one type of chemical called perfluorobutanoate (PFBA), a short-chain PFAS linked to thyroid and liver issues in animals, were the highest by far in tomato fruits, followed by tall fescue and lettuce.  

The study also highlights how certain farming methods like intercropping 鈥� planting multiple crops in the same area 鈥� aren鈥檛 reliable solutions for preventing the uptake of PFAS by crops, or at least not by these crops. In every intercropped treatment tested, uptake was increased into the edible portion, with the exception of some mitigation of concentrations in the tomato fruits when they were planted alongside lettuce. 

“Reducing risk of contamination via careful crop selection and planting strategies are of interest to growers because these approaches, known as phytomanagement, may allow farmers to sustain food production on contaminated land. This study showed that planting strategies and species do matter, but there is more research needed on what species and what combinations are effective,鈥� said Scearce.听

In addition to Scearce and Schattman, other study authors include Jean MacRae; associate professor of civil and environmental engineering; Yong-Jiang Zhang, former associate professor of applied plant physiology; Caleb Goossen from the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and Kylie Holt from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Hawai’i M膩noa. 

This work received funding and support from American Farmland Trust, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Maine Farmland Trust and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station. 

Story by former news intern Christina Wallace.

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

Titled 鈥淧FAS on Maine Farms: How Agricultural Research is Helping Farmers, Our Food, and Our Health,鈥� Mallory, professor in the School of Food and Agriculture and 91爆料 Cooperative Extension specialist, discussed how these chemicals move through soil, crops and livestock and what that means for the state鈥檚 farming communities.

鈥淲e are very concerned about the health risks for farmers and for farm workers, because of where they work and where they live, they’re exposed to more PFAS,鈥� Mallory said.

Her work on how the PFAS compound perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) accumulates in livestock feed was recently awarded one of five grants from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry PFAS Fund.

More information on these chemicals is available through , the and the . 

The 91爆料 awards, which are directed to faculty members associated with the university鈥檚 Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES),91爆料 Cooperative Extension and Maine College of Engineering and Computing, constitute five of the seven PFAS-related funded projects on April 29.

According to DACF, PFAS has impacted 90 Maine farms to varying degrees. It can cycle through soil, water, plants, animals and humans once released into the environment. Health effects linked to PFAS exposure include decreased vaccine response, increased cholesterol levels, reduced infant and fetal growth, heightened risk of certain cancers and pregnancy complications.

鈥淭he state鈥檚 investment fortifies our commitment to protect and inform Mainers through research and its application,鈥� said 91爆料 President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. 鈥淚n a highly competitive selection process, the state chose five research projects proposed by our faculty that will help us detect PFAS in soil, understand how it is absorbed by plants and animals and remediate its presence on Maine farms.鈥� 

“By investing in our research, the state has once again proven its confidence in 91爆料 research and its commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of all Mainers鈥� said Diane Rowland, dean of the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences and director of MAFES. “We lead Maine in PFAS research and will leverage additional funding sources to form a true partnership with the state, one that is grounded in the needs of Maine’s agricultural sector.” 

Ling Li, associate professor of sustainable bioenergy systems in the School of Forest Resources, received $467,240 for her research on mixing biochar in soil to reduce PFAS bioaccumulation in edible parts of vegetable crops, such as lettuce and tomatoes. Li aims to develop actionable solutions for farmers to manage contaminated soils. The project will develop guidance on how much biochar they would need to use in their soil and how often it would need to be reapplied.

Ellen Mallory, professor in the School of Food and Agriculture and 91爆料 Extension specialist, received $499,995 for her research on how the PFAS compound perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) accumulates in livestock feed. Mallory aims to understand more about how certain soil compounds influence PFOS uptake from the soil to human food systems through products such as milk and meat. 

Sharmila Mukhopadhyay, director of the Frontier Institute for Research in Sensor Technologies and professor of mechanical engineering, received $496,432 for her work on developing rapid PFAS-detecting sensors. Mukhopadhyay鈥檚 device could streamline PFAS detection on farms by allowing farmers to test their soil for the chemical onsite, a process that currently can take over a week and cost hundreds of dollars.

Glenda Pereira Parente, assistant professor of animal science in the School of Food and Agriculture and 91爆料 Extension dairy specialist, received $499,989 to guide PFAS mitigation strategies for livestock by modeling how it bioaccumulates. Parente will focus on how PFAS moves through the bodies of dairy sheep and lambs during gestation, lactation and depuration, as well as the effects of feeding management practices during the weaning phase.

Xiaoxiao Zhao, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, received $284,869 for his research on creating energy-efficient technology to break down PFAS in soil without harming soil health. Zhao鈥檚 project will use activated carbon coated on a plasma electrode to capture PFAS in soil, a method that would break the stubborn bonds that earned PFAS the nickname 鈥渇orever chemicals,鈥� instead of trapping it like current methods, and refresh the soil鈥檚 ability to capture it.

These researchers are among many 91爆料 faculty members working together on a variety of PFAS research projects and outreach as part of the university-wide efforts to quickly and effectively address solutions for forever chemicals.

Additional information is available on the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry PFAS Fund .听

Contact: Ashley Yates; ashley.depew@maine.edu