UMaine research examines best methods for growing Atlantic sea scallops

University of Maine

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Atlantic sea scallops attached to ear-hanging lines underwater.

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Credit: Photo by Christopher Noren

A new study from the University of Maine’s Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) and Darling Marine Center is helping to refine best practices for growing Atlantic sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus), a species of increasing interest to Maine’s aquaculture sector.

Published in the academic journal Aquaculture, the research compares two scallop farming methods, ear-hanging and lantern net culture, over a complete grow-out cycle to determine which approach yields the best results for commercial growers. The study, led by UMaine postdoctoral researcher Christopher Noren, provides new insights into how each method influences scallop size and adductor muscle weight, a key factor in market value.

Evaluating Two Common Farming Methods

Maine’s scallop aquaculture industry is still in its early stages, and growers are looking for efficient ways to scale up production. Suspended culture is the most common approach, with farmers typically using multi-tiered lantern nets to grow scallops to a harvestable size. However, this method requires frequent maintenance to manage biofouling — an unwanted accumulation of microorganisms, plants and animals — and to optimize growth conditions.

Ear-hanging, a technique adapted from Japanese scallop farming, offers a potential alternative. This method involves drilling a small hole in the scallop’s shell and suspending it on a line, allowing for better water flow and potentially reducing maintenance needs.

To evaluate the effectiveness of each method, researchers partnered with two commercial scallop farms in Maine’s Penobscot Bay and Frenchman Bay. Over four years, they measured scallop growth and the weight of their adductor muscles, the primary product from scallops that are sold in U.S. seafood markets.

Findings to inform Maine’s aquaculture industry

The study found that scallops grown with ear-hanging culture had slightly larger shell heights, about 1–4% greater than those in lantern nets. More significantly, ear-hanging scallops had up to 12% more adductor muscle weight, which is the primary product sold in U.S. seafood markets and commands a higher price per pound when larger. This suggests a potential advantage for growers aiming to maximize profitability within that market. 

“We wanted to provide growers with data they could actually use on the water,” said Christopher Noren, doctoral researcher at UMaine and lead author of the study. “By comparing these two methods across a full grow-out cycle, we were able to identify where the biological advantages lie and how they might translate to better yields and more efficient operations.”

The results also highlight the role of temperature in scallop growth. Ear-hanging scallops grew more quickly in optimal conditions, which are between 50 and 59 degrees Farhenheit, but were more affected by colder winter temperatures than those in lantern nets.

“These findings give scallop farmers a clearer picture of how different methods impact growth and harvest timing. Understanding the trade-offs between techniques will help inform decisions about production strategies.” says co-author Damian Brady, a professor of oceanography at UMaine.

Supporting a sustainable, domestic seafood supply

The U.S. imports the majority of its seafood, including scallops, from foreign markets. As interest in domestic scallop aquaculture grows, studies like this can help Maine farmers refine their operations and improve profitability.  

“This research gives us real-world numbers to work with,” said Andrew Peters, owner of Vertical Bay LLC and co-author on the study. “Understanding how small changes in gear choice impact growth and market value helps us make smarter decisions as we scale up scallop farming in Maine.” 

By identifying methods that balance growth efficiency with labor demands, UMaine researchers are contributing to the development of a sustainable scallop aquaculture industry in the Gulf of Maine.

 

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Journal

Aquaculture

DOI

10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742408 

Article Title

Comparing growth of ear-hanging and lantern net cultured Atlantic sea scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, over a complete grow-out cycle to determine optimal harvest timing

Article Publication Date

15-Apr-2025

 

Medical cannabis could speed recovery, especially at community recovery homes

Pilot project from UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers University finds benefits for addiction recovery and highlights need for stigma reduction

University of British Columbia Okanagan campus

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A new pilot study from UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers University examined how medically supervised cannabis use in a residential recovery home may support people in treatment for substance use challenges. 

Participants reported that cannabis helped them manage pain, anxiety, depression and sleep issues—key symptoms that can complicate recovery. 

"Our findings suggest medical cannabis could play a meaningful role in reducing cravings and improving retention in recovery programs," says Dr. Zach Walsh, a psychology professor at UBC Okanagan and co-lead researcher.  

"Participants clearly indicated benefits in managing both physical and psychological challenges during recovery." 

Users also reported reduced cravings for opioids and other harmful substances, improved pain management and enhanced mental health and sleep quality.  

However, stigma surrounding cannabis use remains a significant barrier, according to the research. 

Staff interviews revealed a need for increased education and better integration into the cannabis treatment approach. 

"Reducing stigma through targeted education for program staff is critical," says Dr. Florriann Fehr, co-lead researcher and nursing professor at Thompson Rivers University.  

"Staff skepticism often comes from misunderstandings about cannabis as a legitimate medical treatment, highlighting a clear opportunity for improvement in recovery support." 

The study, recently published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, was conducted by researchers from UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers University.  

This collaboration between institutions in Kelowna and Kamloops sought to better understand patient and staff experiences with medically supervised cannabis use in a supportive recovery environment. 

It examined patient and staff experiences at Maverick Supportive Recovery, a residential recovery centre in the BC interior. 

Residential recovery centres provide structured, live-in environments where people receive treatment and support to manage substance use disorders. 

While the results are promising, researchers emphasize the need for larger-scale studies to fully assess the benefits and risks of incorporating medical cannabis into substance use recovery programs. 

This study was funded by the Interior Universities Research Coalition and the BC Ministry of Health. Dr. Fehr is to present the findings to the International Council of Nurses Congress in Helsinki this June. 

TRU is also planning the Medical Cannabis and Recovery forum on Saturday, April 26. The forum is open to the public, health-care professionals and researchers interested in cannabis and recovery solutions. 

For more information about this study, contact Dr. Fehr at ffehr@tru.ca or Dr. Walsh at zachary.walsh@ubc.ca. 

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Journal

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

DOI

10.15288/jsad.24-00224 

Method of Research

Case study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Medical Cannabis Use Adjunct to Standard of Care in a Residential Substance Use Recovery Program: A Pilot Study

 

New research boosts future whooping cough vaccines

University of Texas at Austin

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Whooping cough

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Credit: The University of Texas at Austin

Whooping cough, or pertussis, was once a leading cause of death for children in the U.S. and worldwide before the introduction of vaccines in the 1940s. In the decades since, the bacterial disease was nearly eradicated in the U.S., with fatalities falling to double digits each year.

But the disease has made a troubling comeback in recent years as vaccine coverage declined after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, several outbreaks left public health officials and hospitals scrambling to accommodate a sudden influx of patients, primarily infants, who are often too young to be vaccinated and suffer the most severe symptoms.

Now, new research from The University of Texas at Austin could aid in improving whooping cough vaccines to once again push this disease toward eradication by targeting two key weaknesses in the infection.

A New Target

Against this backdrop, a team of researchers, including members of UT’s McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Molecular Biosciences, has made significant strides in understanding and enhancing pertussis immunity. One of the things that makes pertussis infections dangerous is pertussis toxin (PT), a chemical weapon produced by the bacteria that weakens a patient’s immune response and causes many of the severe symptoms associated with whooping cough.

The new research, described in a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, focuses on two powerful antibodies, hu11E6 and hu1B7, which neutralize the PT in different ways.

Using cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy approaches, the researchers identified the specific epitopes on PT where these antibodies bind. Epitopes are chemical targets the immune system can zero in on to fight pathogens. Hu11E6 blocks the toxin from attaching to human cells by interfering with sugar-binding sites, while hu1B7 prevents the toxin from entering cells and causing harm. These findings are the first to precisely map these critical regions, providing a blueprint to improve vaccines.

“There are currently several promising new pertussis vaccines in the research and clinical trial phases,” said Jennifer Maynard, professor of chemical engineering at the Cockrell School of Engineering and corresponding author of the new study. “Our findings could be incorporated into future versions quite easily, improving overall effectiveness and longevity of protection.”

She pointed to innovations like mRNA technology used in the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as breakthroughs in using genetic engineering on pertussis toxin (PTgen) to generate safer and more potent new recombinant acellular pertussis vaccines as technologies preserving neutralizing epitopes that can combine with her team’s new findings.

“Training the immune system to target the most vulnerable sites on the toxin is expected to create more effective vaccines,” Maynard said. “And the more effective and longer-lasting a vaccine is, hopefully, the more people will take it.”

In addition to helping guide future vaccine designs, the hu1B7 and hu11E6 antibodies themselves hold promise as therapeutic medicines for infected and high-risk infants. Previous work by Maynard and colleagues show that they can prevent the lethal aspects of pertussis infection. UT researchers are actively seeking partnerships to develop ways to prevent lung damage and death in newborns exposed to the disease.

A Persistent Threat 

Caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, whooping cough is infamous for its violent coughing fits, which can lead to complications like pneumonia, seizures, and even death, particularly in infants. One nickname for the disease is the 100-days cough because the painful coughing fits can linger for months, even in mild or moderate cases. The disease kills an estimated 200,000 people each year worldwide, most of them infants and children, and survivors of severe illness can be left with brain damage and lung scarring.

While modern vaccines have reduced the toll, their effectiveness wanes over time, with protection only lasting two to five years. Modern pertussis vaccines are acellular, which means they contain portions of the bacteria that train the immune system to recognize the pathogen, including PT.

Recent outbreaks of whooping cough around the world have stunned public health officials. This fall, New York City saw a 169% increase in whooping cough cases since 2023. Cases have increased 500% since 2019. Australia is currently suffering through the largest outbreak of whooping cough since the introduction of the vaccine in the 1940s, with an estimated 41,000 cases reported this year. 

Health officials point to missed initial and booster vaccinations as major contributors to the outbreaks.

Overcoming Hesitancy

While advances in fighting pertussis are exciting, they face a dual challenge: overcoming the biological complexity of pertussis and the societal hurdles of vaccine hesitancy. The most effective way to prevent pertussis in vulnerable newborns is for mothers to be vaccinated during pregnancy, which confers protection to the newborn until it is old enough to be vaccinated. According to the CDC, the full vaccination rate against pertussis in kindergarteners is typically over 90% in the US, but under 60% of mothers receive the vaccine during pregnancy. Skepticism about vaccine safety and slow normalization of routine vaccination after the COVID-19 pandemic has led to pockets of under-vaccinated communities and overall low protection of newborns, providing fertile ground for deadly outbreaks. This environment, coupled with the limitations of current vaccines, makes innovation essential.

Co-author Annalee W. Nguyen, a research professor in chemical engineering, emphasized the importance of prevention over treatment. "It’s always easier to prevent disease in a high-risk person," she said. "Once someone is extremely ill, their immune system isn’t functioning well, and it’s harder to help them recover. Mothers have an incredible opportunity to shield their babies after they are born by getting a pertussis booster vaccination during pregnancy, and parents can continue to protect their families by working with their pediatrician to ensure children and teens are up-to-date on vaccinations.”

By focusing on neutralizing epitopes—areas where antibodies can effectively block the toxin—new vaccines can potentially provide stronger, longer-lasting immunity. This could help bolster public confidence in pertussis vaccines and curb the disease’s resurgence.

Rebecca E. Wilen of the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering at UT Austin, Jory A. Goldsmith and Jason McLellan of the Molecular Biosciences Department at UT Austin and Wassana Wijagkanalan of BioNet-Asia were also authors on the paper. The research was financially supported by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Welch Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

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Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI

10.1073/pnas.2419457122 

Article Title

Structural basis for neutralizing antibody binding to pertussis toxin

Article Publication Date

2-Apr-2025

 

Mechanistic understanding could enable better fast-charging batteries

University of Wisconsin-Madison

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MADISON — Fast-charging lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous, powering everything from cellphones and laptops to electric vehicles. They’re also notorious for overheating or catching fire.

Now, with an innovative computational model, a University of Wisconsin–Madison mechanical engineer has gained new understanding of a phenomenon that causes lithium-ion batteries to fail.

Developed by Weiyu Li, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UW–Madison, the model explains lithium plating, in which fast charging triggers metallic lithium to build up on the surface of a battery’s anode, causing the battery to degrade faster or catch fire.

This knowledge could lead to fast-charging lithium-ion batteries that are safer and longer-lasting.

The mechanisms that trigger lithium plating, until now, have not been well understood. With her model, Li studied lithium plating on a graphite anode in a lithium-ion battery. The model revealed how the complex interplay between ion transport and electrochemical reactions drives lithium plating. She detailed her results in a paper published on March 10, 2025, in the journal ACS Energy Letters.

“Using this model, I was able to establish relationships between key factors, such as operating conditions and material properties, and the onset of lithium plating,” Li says. “From these results, I created a diagram that provides physics-based guidance on strategies to mitigate plating. The diagram makes these findings very accessible, and researchers can harness the results without needing to perform any additional simulations.”

Researchers can use Li’s results to design not only the best battery materials — but importantly, charging protocols that extend battery life.

“This physics-based guidance is valuable because it enables us to determine the optimal way to adjust the current densities during charging, based on the state of charge and the material properties, to avoid lithium plating,” Li says.

Previous research on lithium plating has mainly focused on extreme cases. Notably, Li’s model provides a way to investigate the onset of lithium plating over a much broader range of conditions, enabling a more comprehensive picture of the phenomenon.

Li plans to further develop her model to incorporate mechanical factors, such as stress generation, to explore their impact on lithium plating.

# # #

--Adam Malecek, acmalecek@wisc.edu

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Journal

ACS Energy Letters

DOI

10.1021/acsenergylett.5c00322 

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Onset of Lithium Plating in Fast-Charging Li-Ion Batteries

 

UNM scientists discover how nanoparticles of toxic metal used in MRI scans infiltrate human tissue

University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center

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University of New Mexico researchers studying the health risks posed by gadolinium, a toxic rare earth metal used in MRI scans, have found that oxalic acid, a molecule found in many foods, can generate nanoparticles of the metal in human tissues.

In a new paper published in the journal Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a team led by Brent Wagner, MD, professor in the Department of Internal Medicine in the UNM School of Medicine, sought to explain the formation of the nanoparticles, which have been associated with serious health problems in the kidneys and other organs.

“The worst disease caused by MRI contrast agents is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis,” he said. “People have succumbed after just a single dose.” The condition can cause a thickening and hardening of the skin, heart and lungs and cause painful contracture of the joints.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents are injected prior to MRI scans to help create sharper images, Wagner said. The metal is usually tightly bound to other molecules and is excreted from the body, and most people experience no adverse effects. However, previous research has shown that even in those with no symptoms, gadolinium particles have been found in the kidney and the brain and can be detected in the blood and urine years after exposure.

Scientists are left with intertwined puzzles: Why do some people get sick, when most don’t, and how do gadolinium particles become pried loose from the other molecules in the contrast agent?

“Almost half of the patients had been exposed only a single time, which means that there’s something that is amplifying the disease signal,” Wagner said. “This nanoparticle formation might explain a few things. It might explain why there's such an amplification of the disease. When a cell is trying to deal with this alien metallic nanoparticle within it, it's going to send out signals that tell the body to respond to it.”

In their study, Wagner’s team focused on oxalic acid, which is found in many plant-based foods, including spinach, rhubarb, most nuts and berries and chocolate, because it binds with metal ions. The process helps lead to the formation of kidney stones, which result when oxalate binds with calcium. Meanwhile, oxalic acid also forms in the body when people eat foods or supplements containing vitamin C.

In test tube experiments the researchers found that oxalic acid caused minute amounts of gadolinium to precipitate out of the contrast agent and form nanoparticles, which then infiltrated the cells of various organs.

“Some people might form these things, while other do not, and it may be their metabolic milieu,” Wagner said. “It might be if they were in a high oxalic state or a state where molecules are more prone to linking to the gadolinium, leading to the formation of the nanoparticles. That might be why some individuals have such awful symptoms and this massive disease response, whereas other people are fine.”

The finding points to a possible way to mitigate some of the risks associated with MRI scan, he said.

“I wouldn't take vitamin C if I needed to have an MRI with contrast because of the reactivity of the metal,” Wagner said. “I'm hoping that we're getting closer to some recommendations for helping these individuals.”

The team is now researching ways to identify those who might be at greatest risk from gadolinium contrast agents. In a new study they’re building an international patient registry that will include a collection of blood, urine, fingernail and hair samples, which could provide evidence of gadolinium accumulation in the body.

“We want to get a lot more information to come up with the risk factors that relate to those with symptoms,” he said. “We’re going to ask about what medical conditions you had at the time of exposure, what medications are you on, and we want to include dietary supplements, because that might piece it all together – why some people have symptoms, whereas others seem to be impervious.”

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DOI

10.1016/j.mri.2025.110383 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Precipitation of gadolinium from magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents may be the Brass tacks of toxicity

 

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in children may be underestimated

University of Gothenburg

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Valdemar Landgren, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.

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Credit: Photo by University of Gothenburg

Out of 206 fourth-grade students, 19 met criteria for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, according to a pilot study at the University of Gothenburg. The results indicate that birth defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy may be as common in Sweden as in several other European countries.

The study ran at six schools in western Sweden and constituted an add-on to the regular health check-up for all fourth-grade students. The participants underwent a physical examination, review of medical records and psychological tests of memory, attention, and problem-solving ability. Parents and teachers described the children's behavior and school performance, and the mothers were interviewed about their dietary habits and alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Larger study needed

Of the 206 participants examined, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) were found in 19 children. Ten had alcohol-related neurobehavioral disorder, four had partial fetal alcohol syndrome, and five had the most severe variant, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The overall prevalence of FASD in the study group was 5.5 percent, of which 2.4 percent concerned FAS.

Leading author in the study is Valdemar Landgren, psychiatrists and researcher at Sahlgrenska Academy and Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre at the University of Gothenburg:

"Conducting the study in school as an add-on to the regular health check-up proved feasible. Our study is small, so a large-scale national study is needed to obtain a fuller picture. If the results are replicated, it would indicate that Sweden is on a par with many other European countries", he says.

Few diagnosed

There are no prior studies investigating the prevalence of FASD in Sweden. According to nationwide statistics from Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare, only about 60 children receive such a diagnosis each year.

Leading author in the study is Valdemar Landgren, psychiatrists and researcher at Sahlgrenska Academy and Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre at the University of Gothenburg:

"Today, these conditions are rarely diagnosed in Swedish healthcare. One reason may be that physicians don't assess for conditions of which they are unaware or believe to be very rare. Empirical knowledge about the actual prevalence is of importance for medical education and diagnostics, and for society to be able to work preventively," says Valdemar Landgren.

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Journal

Acta Paediatrica

DOI

10.1111/apa.70059 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study in Western Sweden