Mathias (IMAGE) West Virginia University Caption WVU alumnus Justin Mathias holds a tree increment borer to extract tree cores at Gaudineer Knob in West Virginia. Mathias and Richard Thomas, professor of forest ecology and climate change, found that trees are taking in more carbon dioxide than previously thought in a new study. Credit West Virginia University Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.