Researchers accidentally discovered a natural repellent against an invasive blueberry pest when fruit flies invaded their laboratory. The compound, produced by yeast, elicits aversive responses in spotted-wing flies but remains attractive to common fruit flies, offering a potential new control measure for this costly pest.
Rutgers researchers found that cutting emissions today can limit Antarctic ice loss and reduce the rise in seas facing coastal communities. The study suggests that decisions about emissions today can influence how much water Antarctica adds to the oceans by 2100.
Benzodiazepine prescriptions have decreased by 26.7% over the past decade, with the largest decline observed among young adults between ages 18 and 29. The average dose per prescription also decreased by 18.3%, suggesting more selective prescribing practices.
Rutgers engineers have developed a smart shoe that automatically analyzes how a person walks, tracking movement and calories burned with 95.4% accuracy. The prototype powers the analysis with energy generated from the wearer's footsteps, offering a potential solution to the 'energy-intelligence bottleneck' in existing health wearables.
Researchers found 86% of soil samples exceeded the EPA's 200 parts per million residential soil lead hazard level, and nearly 94% exceeded screening levels for multiple sources of lead exposure. In homes without lead-based paint, 80% of floor dust samples exceeded safety thresholds.
Rutgers researchers have found that combining literacy promotion with community-based support programs improves developmental outcomes for Latino children from birth to 18 months of age. The study, published in Pediatrics, found that aligning these supports resulted in more responsive parent-child interactions and better social-emotion...
Researchers discovered a genetic change in a tiny worm that causes a protein to fail to reach its normal function, but a healthy version continues to work. This finding provides clues about the genetic change's effects on cells and demonstrates a way to investigate DNA changes revealed by genetic testing.
Researchers found that fathers of daughters show higher levels of attachment, commitment, trust, and intimacy toward the child's mother than fathers of sons. Having a daughter appears to be protective of the primary parent relationship, altering men's psychologies in interesting ways.
A Rutgers-led study of over 414,000 births in New Jersey found a substantially higher risk of infant mortality among infants born to mothers with depressive symptoms. Infants born to mothers with depressive symptoms had nearly three times the risk of death before the age of 1 compared to their counterparts.
A new approach captures mosquito waste to detect viruses and parasites, revealing a hidden world of genetic material. The method identifies a complete West Nile virus genome, a Hedwig-like virus, and potentially new viruses, strengthening mosquito surveillance for emerging health threats.
A Rutgers University study found that four in five Black adults mistakenly believed proposed bans on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars would target smokers, rather than the makers and sellers. The study identified seven beliefs associated with opposing the bans, including the misconception that authorities punish smokers. An educa...
A Rutgers-led international team identified 36 genes linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic tic disorders, providing a detailed biological understanding of how these conditions develop. The findings suggest that many of the genes are shared between the conditions and can be targeted using whole-network approaches.
Researchers found that aerobic exercise significantly improves executive functions, including planning, task-switching, and focus, in post-menopausal women. Regular exercise can help preserve cognitive health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, with benefits observed as early as three months into the program.
A study found that 65% of young children brought to ERs for suspected poisoning didn't need emergency care, and could have stayed home with a phone call to the poison center. This could save millions of dollars nationally each year, as routing avoidable cases to the phone line could save $1,000 per visit.
Hai Sun's $2.9 million NIH grant aims to improve pre-surgical mapping for epilepsy surgery by identifying critical brain nodes that trigger seizures. The goal is to make surgery safer and more effective for patients whose seizures cannot be controlled with medication.
The True Grit program, a Rutgers Health study, evaluates a model for supporting independence in young people with spinal cord injuries as they transition from high school to adulthood. Participants in the 2024 cohort demonstrated progress toward their individual goals, with gains seen in participation scores and emotional resilience.
A Rutgers Health analysis found that nearly all comments on the proposed menthol ban were form letters, with 46% coming from tobacco companies, and most opposed the ban for economic reasons. The delay allowed the tobacco industry to shape policy debates, obscuring scientific evidence and distorting perceptions of public opinion.
Researchers found that hemp-derived cannabinoid brands emphasize lifestyle and recreational marketing, with minimal attention to safety warnings, on social media platforms. The study highlights gaps in platform policies and enforcement, calling for clearer standards addressing youth-oriented features and misleading health claims.
A Rutgers study reveals that high school students who engage with beauty-related content on social media use more personal care products containing hormone-disrupting chemicals. The study found a significant correlation between time spent on social media and increased product usage, with girls reporting higher median daily product use.
A brief conversation about firearm safety can significantly increase gun owners' willingness to consider temporarily storing their firearms outside the home, a step that could help reduce suicide risk. Researchers found that participants who received Project Safe Guard became more willing to store guns elsewhere during times of crisis.
A study by Rutgers researchers found that waist circumference measures nearly as accurately as a new obesity definition incorporating multiple body measurements, identifying potential health risks earlier. Waist measurement can provide a practical tool for clinicians and patients to detect unhealthy amounts of body fat.
Researchers discovered 86% of bare surface soil samples exceeded EPA's residential soil lead hazard level, with nearly 94% exceeding screening levels. In homes without interior lead-based paint, 80% of floor dust samples exceeded safety thresholds.
A Rutgers Cancer Institute physician-scientist says a VA study comparing two hormone therapies for metastatic prostate cancer provides strong real-world evidence to help doctors choose the right drug for each patient. The study found that enzalutamide may offer a modest survival advantage for patients aged 75 and older.
Researchers found that an AI-enabled early warning system identified patients at risk of rapid clinical decline sooner, contributing to fewer deaths. The study evaluated over 23,000 high-risk patients and showed a 18% reduction in the risk-adjusted odds of in-hospital death
A comprehensive review of dementia prevalence and risk factors in India reveals unique health outcomes for South Asian populations. The study sets the stage for the SAMARTH initiative, tracking brain health in South Asian Americans to identify modifiable risks and protective factors.
New research suggests that Europa's shallow water reservoirs are unlikely to contain water from the deep ocean. The route from deep ocean to surface is probably much more difficult than scientists assumed, with turbulent water rising through ice cracks leading to freezing and clogging.
A Rutgers University study found hormone-mimicking mycotoxins in 100% of participants, linked to corn and grain products consumed. The study's findings suggest persistent exposure to these contaminants among pregnant women in the US.
A new Rutgers study reveals that individuals with psychiatric conditions exhibit reduced brain network dynamics, which can be used to distinguish between patients and healthy individuals. The findings also suggest that dynamic features of brain function may provide a more precise way of understanding mental illness.
A Rutgers-led study of nearly 500,000 adults reveals that repeat testing is linked to earlier diagnoses and depends on primary care provider behaviors. The study found that health systems play a significant role in increasing patient consistency, with Kaiser Permanente having the highest adherence rate.
A federal nicotine reduction strategy could drive U.S. smoking rates below 1% in 14 years, preventing millions of premature deaths and boosting productivity by $298 billion. Implementing such a policy would also significantly close smoking disparity gaps for individuals with major depression.
A recent study using advanced PET scans has found widespread synaptic density loss in individuals with schizophrenia, particularly in areas rich in neurotransmitter receptors. The researchers identified distinct patterns of synaptic loss that follow the brain's molecular and connectivity architecture.
Researchers found a slight association between GLP-1 medications and ischemic optic neuropathy, a condition causing reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. The risk remains low, but clinicians should be aware of this potential association, particularly in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
A study by Rutgers researchers found that cardiovascular health during pregnancy was associated with the timing of new hypertensive and metabolic diagnoses after delivery. Women with poorer scores were diagnosed sooner than those with better scores, even without major complications.
Researchers found that only 21.2% of service members and veterans who died by firearm suicide disclosed suicidal thoughts or plans before their death. Those who did confide in loved ones, rather than healthcare providers, making community-based suicide prevention strategies crucial for reaching those at risk.
A study found a rapid increase in long-acting injectable buprenorphine prescriptions, but significant state-level disparities persist. The treatment showed particularly high use in Medicaid-insured patients and advanced practice clinicians.
A study by Rutgers researcher Chien-Chung Huang found that compulsive smartphone habits in older adults can deepen depression. Limited social participation and smartphone addiction were strong predictors of depression, while phone use supporting relationships and interactions was protective.
Researchers developed a two-page decision aid to help patients weigh options between daily pill and injectable PrEP treatments without feeling judged. The tool targets an awareness gap in PrEP usage, with only 36% of eligible Americans taking the treatment.
Researchers at Rutgers University used simulation to identify bottlenecks in their blood cancer clinic and implemented changes that reduced visit times from 90 minutes to less than 30 minutes. The approach could be applied to other medical oncology offices, improving efficiency and patient care.
A study found that 84% of house mice carried genetic mutations linked to rodenticide resistance, suggesting widespread adaptation in mouse populations. Researchers also identified new mutations and noted rapid evolution in house mice compared to rats.
Researchers at Rutgers University link GLP-1 medication use to reduced violent behavior, finding a substantial weakening of the relationship between impulsivity and aggression among users compared to non-users. The study suggests these medications may work like cognitive behavioral therapy, reducing impulsive actions.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that higher exposure to gun violence among Black and Hispanic Americans explains persistent racial disparities in both general health and chronic health diagnoses. The study suggests that reducing gun violence exposure may be an important pathway for improving health equity in the US.
A Rutgers Health study found that fewer than one in five older adults discuss their cannabis use with clinicians. The study analyzed reports from over 14,000 older adults and found that only one in three were screened for cannabis or drug use by a clinician in the past year.
Researchers discovered why antibiotics fail to treat peri-implantitis, a jawbone infection affecting up to 20% of implant patients. Titanium particles from implants activate a calcium channel in macrophages, hijacking the immune system and causing inflammation that destroys bone.
Researchers found that wildland-urban interface fires release distinct pollutants, including toxic metals and PFAS, which can penetrate deep into lungs. These particles differ from ordinary urban pollution and biomass-only wildfire aerosols, highlighting the need for monitoring and cleanup strategies tailored to fire composition.
A new study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience suggests that tracking tiny facial micromovement spikes can provide a biological basis for assessing pain. Researchers found that as pain intensified, heart rhythms became increasingly irregular, with the most pronounced changes appearing around the eyes.
A Rutgers-led study offers a hopeful twist on the classic game theory problem, suggesting that cooperation can emerge naturally without special rules or genetic ties. By keeping track of opponents, individuals can react in the same way, leading to cooperation's emergence as an emergent property.
A systematic review by 16 leading researchers at Rutgers University and other institutions highlights recurring problems in studies of infection-associated chronic illnesses, including the failure to prove participants have the relevant pathogen. The authors propose a framework for rigorous study design to confirm diagnoses, choose com...
Studies of Lyme disease and Long COVID face methodological challenges, including incorrect diagnoses and lumping patients with different diseases. Researchers advocate for rigorous study design to confirm diagnoses, choose comparison groups, and treat patient populations as distinct.
Research from Rutgers University finds that absorbing real-world firearm content can be tied to depression and poor mental health outcomes among American adults. Higher levels of depression and more days of poor mental health were associated with frequent exposure to real-world firearm violence through media, such as social media and c...
A Rutgers research team identified a key mechanism linking the brain and body, which could help diagnose and treat neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and alcohol use disorder. The discovery found that the anterior cingulate cortex controls autonomic responses, including heart rate and pupil dilation.