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Did impacts from meteors help start life on Earth?

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Marine Science and Engineering·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 3, 2026

Study finds a pregnancy complication that can increase a child’s risk of heart disease

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeObservational study·DateMar 25, 2026

Why a canceled meeting feels so liberating

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateMar 23, 2026

Picture this: Photographing food available in the local community led to parents asking why there is so much ultra-processed and fast food

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPreventing Chronic Disease·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2026

The research that got sick veterans treatment

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalEvidence-Based Toxicology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 2, 2026

Will melting glaciers slow climate change? A prevailing theory is on shaky ground

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...

SourceRutgers University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateFeb 26, 2026

Scientists prove shellfish can be farmed far from shore

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNorth American Journal of Aquaculture·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Ketamine may fight chronic fatigue, study suggests

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPharmacological Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 12, 2026

Why people won’t quit a weight loss drug – even when it makes them feel sick

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...

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2026

Why rethinking wellness could help students and teachers thrive

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalOccupational Health Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2026

How gender bias influences math education

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateJan 15, 2026

Minimum wage increases are linked to safer pregnancies

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJan 13, 2026

For Black women with breast cancer, ultra-processed foods may worsen health outcomes

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 18, 2025

Most Americans still get nicotine wrong

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%.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·TypeSurvey·DateDec 18, 2025

Researchers pitch strategies to identify potential fraudulent participants in online qualitative research

Researchers identified various strategies to prevent and detect fraudulent responses, including outreach and recruitment plans, short screener surveys, and community-engaged methods. These approaches can help distinguish real from fake participants and mitigate the impact of fraud on injury and violence prevention studies.

SourceRutgers University·JournalBMJ Open Quality·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 11, 2025

Could hidden infections be fueling long COVID?

Research suggests that co-infections such as Epstein-Barr virus and tuberculosis may contribute to long COVID symptoms. These infections could leave the immune system compromised, triggering persistent symptoms. The study's findings offer new lines of investigation into effective treatments for long COVID.

SourceRutgers University·JournaleLife·DateDec 10, 2025

Knowing your family’s surgical history might be key to preventing emergency gallbladder surgery

A Rutgers Health study found that patients aware of family members' past gallbladder surgery were more likely to seek early help and less likely to undergo high-risk, emergency gallbladder removal. This knowledge helped doctors avoid misinterpreting symptoms such as chest pain and nausea, leading to earlier diagnoses and treatments.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Surgical Research·TypeSurvey·DateDec 9, 2025

Valve trials validate better ways of fixing a malfunctioning heart

Recent trials have shown that catheter-based procedures can match the long-term results of open-heart surgery in relatively healthy patients with valvular disease. These procedures offer life-saving options to people too frail for open-heart surgery and are expected to bring more upcoming trials to New Brunswick.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 3, 2025

Study reveals why mysterious structures within Earth’s mantle hold clues to life here

Researchers discovered that massive anomalies in the Earth's mantle are connected to the planet's early history and its ability to support life. The study proposes that elements from the core leaked into the mantle, preventing strong chemical layering and creating unusual structures that can be seen today.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 19, 2025

Parental monitoring is linked to fewer teen conduct problems despite genetic risk

Researchers found consistent parental monitoring can offset genetic risk for developing behavior problems during adolescence. High levels of parental monitoring appeared to buffer the influence of genetic risk, making a measurable difference even for children who are more vulnerable biologically.

SourceRutgers University·JournalFrontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 18, 2025

Climate intervention techniques could reduce the nutritional value of crops

A new study suggests that stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI) could decrease the protein content of major crops like maize, rice, wheat, and soybeans. SAI would involve releasing sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere to cool the planet, but this could have unintended consequences on global food security.

SourceRutgers University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 7, 2025