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.
Researchers found that patients with high senescence burdens in their CD8+ T cells were more likely to fail treatment, while those with youthful profiles responded better. The study identified three transcription factors controlling the senescence program, which can be targeted to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found higher rates of suicidal ideation among individuals who died by firearm suicide after 2020, but lower engagement in mental health treatment. Demographic shifts also occurred, with more young, male, and minority decedents, highlighting gaps in suicide prevention strategies.
A Rutgers study examines the challenges and opportunities of community violence intervention programs in semi-rural communities. The research highlights the importance of flexibility, strong partnerships, and local relationships to effectively respond to violence in broader geographic areas.
Researchers at Rutgers University tested the efficacy of Bright IDEAS, a problem-solving skills training intervention, in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms and improving health-related quality of life among young adults with cancer. The study found significant reductions in symptoms and improvements in quality of life compared t...
Rural youth experience elevated firearm exposure and mental health risks, with suicide rates surpassing urban areas. Researchers recommend holistic interventions focusing on safe storage practices and school-based education.
A Rutgers Health-led survey found that 68% of people living with HIV prefer long-acting injections, but only 2.8% actually received them. The study identified factors limiting adoption, including pill burden, detectable viral load, and provider bias.
Researchers measured mitochondrial function using MRI in 11 cancer survivors, finding slower recovery time signals weaker function, but also a surprising correlation between worse mitochondrial recovery and lower fatigue. The study suggests that subjective experience of fatigue is multidimensional and not solely physical.
A Rutgers Health study reveals that neighborhoods with greater access to community amenities, services, and infrastructure can reduce the risk of dementia in older Chinese immigrants. The researchers found that individuals living in more cognitively supportive neighborhoods declined more slowly with age.
A study analyzing postpartum Medicaid claims in 15 states found that extended coverage led to modest changes in healthcare use, with notable increases in emergency department visits and mental health diagnoses. The share of individuals maintaining coverage through 12 months postpartum increased to 77%, but gaps in care persist.
A living reef coastal defense system has been shown to significantly reduce wave power, supporting reef growth and stabilizing shorelines. The hybrid structure combines engineering and natural processes, offering a potential alternative to traditional engineered structures.
Recent Medicaid expansions led to a significant increase in the use of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. The study found that these expansions resulted in population-level increases in treatment uptake, despite ongoing fatal overdose trends.
Recent research suggests meteor impacts created hydrothermal systems that enabled the formation of suitable environments for early life. These impact-generated vents offered conditions similar to deep-sea vents but with a different origin, expanding the search for life's origins and providing new insights into Earth's history.
A Rutgers Health study found that electronic nicotine products are putting toddlers at new risk of inhalation, increasing by 243% over the past eight years. Children exposed to e-cigarettes were more likely to require a healthcare facility visit compared to those exposed to cigarettes.
A Rutgers study found that a protein called PHGDH can predict drug response in cancer patients and improves survival rates when combined with immunotherapy. High levels of PHGDH are associated with better responses to anti-PD-1 therapy, suggesting it could be a potential biomarker.
Researchers found women devalue orgasm only when it's consistently absent across partners. This shift in expectations helps soften the effects of not experiencing an orgasm on relationships, but also contributes to the orgasm gap over time.
Levels of toxic PFAS in New Jersey's public water systems dropped by as much as 55% after the state set limits. The study analyzed 12,000 monitoring results and found significant declines in PFOA and PFNA levels, with a notable drop in contaminated wells before regulations were implemented.
A Rutgers Health study found that children born to mothers with premature placental separations are three times more likely to develop or die from cardiovascular disease. This risk is higher among those younger than 12 months old, and pregnant women over 35 or experiencing twin pregnancies are also at increased risk.
A study by Gabriela Tonietto and colleagues found that unexpectedly gained time feels subjectively longer, leading people to choose longer activities. Participants in the study opted for longer tasks or leisure activities when given extra time, as they perceived it as more abundant.
Researchers analyzed genetic data from over 2.2 million individuals to understand how genes shape vulnerability to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and opioid use disorders. They found that genetic risk operates along two main pathways: one related to brain wiring and the other specific to each substance.
Researchers gave cameras to 25 mothers of preschoolers to photograph local food, revealing a shift in perceptions and questioning of ultra-processed food. The study highlights the potential of participatory methods in evoking grassroots advocacy for change.
A community-based study in New Jersey found meaningful progress in maternal care, but inequities persist, especially for women of color. The study highlights the need to strengthen policies, expand support services, and address transportation barriers to improve maternal health outcomes.
A Rutgers researcher finds bacteria accelerate calcium carbonate dissolution in shallow seas, potentially slowing carbon sequestration and influencing climate change. The discovery sheds light on the ocean's biological carbon pump and its future implications.
Rutgers researchers helped establish a link between burn pit exposure and respiratory illnesses in veterans, enabling the VA to adopt new rules implementing the PACT Act. The new methodology assigns graded levels of confidence, providing a path forward for evaluating service-related illnesses.
Researchers at Rutgers University created a new metric called the Ecological Network Balance Index to track how gut bacterial communities shift between health and disease. The index consistently separated healthy individuals from patients with multiple diseases, including colorectal cancer.
Researchers developed a new suite of neuropsychological tests suitable for Mandarin-speaking older adults, accounting for Chinese characters and cultural nuances. The tests show high stability and strong links to novel Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.
Researchers from Rutgers University found that melting glaciers in Antarctica supply far less iron to surrounding waters than previously thought. The study challenges the long-held theory of iron fertilization, which suggested that glacial melting would feed blooms of microscopic algae and remove heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the a...
A study from Rutgers University suggests that exposure to alcohol in social media drives the desire to drink. Young adults who viewed influencer posts with alcohol were significantly more likely to report increased desire to drink compared to those who watched similar posts without alcohol.
A Rutgers study found that misinformation about medical aid in dying is driven by ideology, while uncertainty stems from structural barriers such as education level and financial strain. Public education efforts should use a two-track approach to address these issues.
Researchers successfully farmed Atlantic surfclams offshore in the open ocean, finding faster growth and higher survival rates than those farmed near shore. The study opens new doors for offshore aquaculture in New Jersey, promising a sustainable way to grow more seafood while supporting local jobs.
A study suggests ketamine may rapidly alleviate chronic fatigue symptoms in some individuals. Participants who received ketamine experienced a significant energy boost, which could be beneficial for those struggling with the debilitating condition.
A study from Rutgers Health and Michigan State University has identified 556 genes in the uterine lining that are increased in fertile women but not in those struggling with infertility. This research sheds light on potential causes of infertility, including the role of the uterus itself.
A Rutgers Health study found that perceived effectiveness of semaglutide, such as noticeable weight loss or reduced food cravings, was the strongest predictor of satisfaction and intention to continue treatment. Although gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting were common, they didn't significantly influence satisfaction score...
Researchers from Rutgers Health examine how educators approach student wellness and find that emotional and social dimensions are prioritized. The study suggests an 'Eight Dimensions of Wellness' activity can serve as a professional development tool to enhance educator wellness while strengthening protective factors for students.
A new computational tool called PRISM (Precise Identification of Species of the Microbiome) has been developed to settle the controversy over whether microorganisms truly reside in tumors. The tool uses rapid screening and machine-learning models to distinguish genuine microbial signals from artifacts.
A Rutgers Health study reveals increased intentions to purchase firearms and carry them among specific groups following the 2024 presidential election. Liberal beliefs are associated with greater impulses to carry firearms and store them more accessibly.
A Rutgers-led study found that low-protein diets slowed liver tumor growth and cancer death in mice, uncovering a mechanism by which impaired waste-handling machinery can fuel cancer. The researchers suggest that individuals with elevated ammonia levels due to liver disease or impairment may benefit from reducing protein intake.
Rutgers University has developed a self-sustaining fund that reinvests revenue from commercialized technologies to support next-wave innovations. The model has generated an estimated 2.5-3.5 times more investment in follow-on funding.
Research reveals a significant increase in antipsychotic use among adults 65 and older with dementia, despite limited proven effectiveness and serious risks. The study suggests that long-term prescribing is on the rise, particularly in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
A Rutgers University study reveals that early gender stereotypes can influence how children learn math, with young learners more inclined to trust incorrect information from male teachers. The findings suggest that children are not only absorbing stereotypes but also using them to calibrate their understanding of the world.
A Rutgers University study finds that state-level minimum wage increases are associated with lower rates of maternal hypertensive disorders, a leading cause of maternal mortality. The research found a $1 increase in the minimum wage to be linked to 64 fewer cases per 100,000 women over five years.
A study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that the end of the last ice age coincided with the emergence of salty water trapped in the deep ocean. This 'salty blob' played a crucial role in locking away carbon dioxide, which contributed to lower average temperatures.
Researchers analyzed brain connectivity data to understand how the brain integrates fast and slow signals. They found that differences in neural timescales across individuals vary in their cognitive abilities.
A study from Rutgers Cancer Institute researchers found that Black women with breast cancer who ate the most ultra-processed foods before diagnosis were 36-40% more likely to die from their cancers or other causes of death. The researchers followed 1,733 Black women diagnosed with breast cancer in New Jersey between 2005 and 2019.
A new study found that many Americans incorrectly think nicotine is inherently deadly, leading to misconceptions about the dangers of smoking. The researchers discovered that changing the wording of questions can significantly impact the percentage of people answering correctly, from 10% to 80%.