A small-scale regional nuclear war could produce as many direct fatalities as all of World War II and disrupt the global climate for a decade or more. The environmental effects would be catastrophic and long-term, affecting regions far from the target areas or countries involved in the conflict.
Researchers at Rutgers University have found chemical evidence of recycled rocks in Hawaiian volcanoes, suggesting the Earth's crust is being recycled on a grand scale. This discovery extends beyond calcium and includes other elements such as sulfur, hafnium, and lead, which provide clues about the origin and behavior of magma.
A Rutgers-based team found a connection between the 1783 Icelandic volcanic eruption and a famine in Egypt, which reduced the Nile valley population by a sixth. The study used computer models to trace atmospheric changes from the eruption to their impact on North Africa.
A Rutgers College of Nursing professor is testing a 12-week home-based exercise intervention program to improve physical functioning in older adults with CKD. The study aims to evaluate the feasibility of this program for a larger clinical trial and address the lack of targeted physical activity interventions for this population.
Researchers have resolved key questions about DNA transcription using nanotech tools, revealing a molecular machine that remains stationary and 'reels in' adjacent DNA segments during initial synthesis. This breakthrough advances understanding of the structure and function of transcription, setting the stage for new opportunities in co...
A Rutgers College of Nursing professor will examine the attitudes and beliefs of young Latinas towards physical activity. The study aims to develop a culturally appropriate physical activity intervention that addresses cultural beliefs and time management issues.
Scientists have discovered that the Chlamydia bacterium shares a common ancestry with plants, which could lead to the development of an effective new treatment for chlamydia. The discovery highlights similarities in genetic sequences and functions between the two organisms, providing a potential target for antibiotics.
Geologists at Rutgers University have created three hands-on demonstrations to explain how volcanoes form and evolve. These interactive activities captivate kids while providing a solid foundation for studying earth science in high school. The demos show the actual forces that caused Mt. St. Helens and Kilauea eruptions.
Rutgers' Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) has won a $1 million per year federal grant through 2010. The center will advance U.S. technology and expertise in transportation through research, education, and technology transfer.
Pfizer is funding a series of seminars for graduate students and faculty at Rutgers, valued at $23,000 over five years. The company's commitment reflects the increasing importance of mathematics in life sciences, with nearly three-quarters of statistics graduates pursuing careers in pharmaceuticals.
A Rutgers-led group has been awarded a $2.55 million grant to develop instructional materials that integrate mathematics and biology in high school courses. The project aims to close the gap between math and biology instruction by creating modules that address key topics such as gene mapping, population trends, and public health.
The study reveals that plant genomes evolved from a far more dynamic structure than previously believed, with genes being lost, replicated or shifted over time. This challenges the notion of biotechnologists performing 'unnatural acts' when inserting genes into crops.
Rutgers scientists have developed a polymer-based drug delivery system to kill bacteria that attack gum tissue during periodontal disease, promoting healing and regeneration of tissue and bone around teeth. The system treats bacterial infection, inflammation, and pain with pharmaceuticals incorporated into the material itself.
A study by Rutgers University found that portion distortion, where consumers perceive large portions as normal serving sizes, may contribute to expanding waistlines. The research suggests that efforts to educate the public on limiting excess calories from foods like salad dressing have been successful.
Rutgers University researchers have developed a new polymer-coating process that uses pulsed laser deposition to create high-performance coatings. The method improves coating efficiency, reduces drag force, and enhances biocompatibility for sensitive areas.
A modified home video game system has been developed to aid stroke patients in performing hand exercises, utilizing virtual reality and traditional therapy techniques. The system, costing less than $600, promotes engaging patients and provides immediate feedback on performance.
A Rutgers research team has been awarded a three-year, $599,436 National Science Foundation grant to collaborate with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on improving port competitiveness. The project aims to develop tools for analytical group decision-making and improve security at the nation's ports.
A study led by Rutgers College of Nursing faculty members will investigate the association between the nursing work environment and nurse-reported patient outcomes. The survey aims to gather data from 2,000 registered nurses practicing in dialysis centers across the US, focusing on adverse events and burnout.
The Rutgers-led research consortium will coordinate four university-based centers to advance efforts in identifying common patterns from numerous information sources. The project aims to develop real-time streaming algorithms to find patterns and relationships in communications, rating sources for reliability and trustworthiness.
Researchers have identified a possible mechanism used by an important motor protein that enables bacteria to travel through the bloodstream and infect organs such as the heart. The discovery may lead to the development of new pharmacological therapies that can target and kill bacteria, preventing or minimizing damage to the heart muscle.
Scientists at Rutgers have created a computerized model to understand the degree of harmful exposure in the immediate aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks. The model, combining satellite data and regional weather forecasts, provides a way to evaluate human exposure to aerosols released during the disaster.
Rutgers University researcher John Sinko has received a $1.7 million NIH MERIT award to continue his research on nanotechnology-based, targeted drug delivery systems for treating HIV-infected cells. The funding will support the design, development, and testing of novel anti-HIV drug delivery systems.
The consortium aims to enhance the quality and consistency of materials used in drug tablets, processed foods, agrichemicals, and composite organic products. Research will focus on particle shapes, forces that bind materials together, and efficient production of structured materials.
A study published in Carcinogenesis reveals that sulforaphane, a compound in broccoli and cauliflower, can inhibit the development of hereditary colon cancer by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting tumor proliferation. The researchers found that mice fed with an SFN-supplemented diet developed significantly fewer and smaller tumors.
Research found that exercising mice took longer to develop skin tumors and had fewer tumors than sedentary mice exposed to ultraviolet B light. Exercise was also linked to lower body fat, which decreased the risk of skin cancer.
Researchers at Rutgers University propose a new approach to combat clogged arteries by attacking how bad cholesterol triggers inflammation and causes plaque buildup. Their nanolipoblockers, or NLBs, compete with oxidized LDL for macrophage attention, cutting accumulation by up to 75 percent.
Rutgers-Newark Chemistry Professor Elena Galoppini and her team have received a $1.3 million NSF grant to develop new solar cells that harness organic materials and nanoparticles. The research aims to create more efficient methods of converting sunlight into electricity.
A Rutgers-Newark chemistry professor has been awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship for his groundbreaking research on multifunctional Lewis acids, which could lead to new materials for display technology. The fellowship is a significant milestone in his young career, following his recent National Science Foundation Career Award.
Researchers have developed a new technology that converts coal into diesel fuel, potentially cutting the US's reliance on foreign oil. The process uses Nobel Prize-winning chemistry to control the molecular weight of hydrocarbon products, producing useful fuels while eliminating undesirable byproducts.
Yuzbashyan will use the funding to attend technical conferences and collaborate with specialists globally, aiming to promote new technologies like quantum computing and superconductivity. He plans to bring researchers from Great Britain to Rutgers and fund graduate research assistant positions.
A team of Rutgers University researchers has made a breakthrough in finding a microbial approach to clean up MTBE contaminated groundwater. By employing carbon isotope fractionation, the team can identify the key bacteria capable of breaking down MTBE and potentially speed up the process.
Researchers at Rutgers University discovered that the human protein lipin is a critical enzyme in regulating body fat. The study found that lipin plays a crucial role in fat metabolism, and its activity may be an important target for treating obesity and related conditions.
David Vanderbilt's work simplifies computer calculations to understand material atomic structure and create new materials. His methods have broad applications in physics, chemistry, and engineering.
Physicists at Rutgers University have rewritten the classical understanding of quantum statistical physics by finding a simpler way to derive a mathematical formula. The discovery, published in Physical Review Letters, could lead to rewrites of tomorrow's physics textbooks.
A survey of over 52,000 New Jersey nurses will examine factors influencing job satisfaction and burnout, while a multi-state collaboration aims to identify issues affecting the nursing workforce and improve patient outcomes.
A Rutgers University study found that college students experience average weight gain of seven pounds during their first year, primarily resulting from consuming excess calories. The researchers recommend adopting a balanced diet and increasing exercise to prevent weight gain and associated health risks.
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed tiny chemical cages that can enclose drug and pesticide molecules, enabling safe delivery and improving chemical production. The one-step process creates tight bonds, surpassing earlier approaches in simplicity and efficiency.
The public's perception of environmental protection is decreasing, with job creation becoming a top priority. Experts stress the importance of re-explaining the value of environmental management to elected representatives and the media.
Researchers found that the combination of curcumin and PEITC significantly retards prostate cancer tumor growth in laboratory mice. The discovery suggests potential for using plant-based compounds as alternative therapies to treat advanced prostate cancers.
Researchers discovered that zebra finches store auditory memories of caregivers' songs in a specific part of the brain involved in hearing, which may underlie vocal learning in songbirds and provide clues to human speech acquisition. This finding supports independent evidence from Patricia Kuhl's work on infant language development.
The FDA has approved the first medical device using a Rutgers-developed biomaterial for hernia repairs. The device features a partially degradable polymer that facilitates precise placement and reduces implant material following resorption. This approval represents a major breakthrough for regenerative medicine.
Rutgers researchers found a strong correlation between dance quality and body symmetry in Jamaican teenagers. The study used motion-capture technology to isolate dance movements and evaluated dancers' abilities based on their peers' ratings.
Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered two key fertility genes in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, which are essential for successful fertilization. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding human infertility and may lead to new treatments.
A Rutgers-led team reports a steady millimeter-per-year rise in sea levels from 5,000 years ago until about 200 years ago, contrasting with the current two-millimeter annual increase. The findings argue against widely held tenets of geological science and provide a new baseline for addressing global warming.
Rutgers researcher Shumyatsky has identified a new gene that controls both learned and innate fear, which may lead to the development of new anti-anxiety agents. The discovery was made through a combination of mouse genetics, cellular electrophysiology, and behavior studies.
Rutgers chemists invent variant of room temperature ionic liquids to overcome viscosity barrier, enabling safer and more efficient industrial processes. The new chemicals could be used in industries such as chemical manufacturing, electroplating, and radioactive waste handling.
Rutgers University engineers are monitoring the buildup of empty containers in New Jersey and proposing strategies to improve their management. Rising steel costs have made it more economical for shipping companies to take back empties, but a study aims to optimize container movement within the region.
Researchers at Rutgers University have made new findings linking genetic variants to susceptibility to autism and schizophrenia. The study suggests that a mutated form of the EN2 gene may contribute to up to 40% of autism cases, while another gene called CAPON has been implicated in schizophrenia.
Research suggests that increased oxygen levels in Earth's atmosphere led to the emergence of large placental mammals, including massive sloths and saber-toothed cats. The study, published in Science journal, uses deep-sea core samples to track changes in oxygen content over 205 million years.
Rutgers-Newark psychology researchers found that individuals with selective and complete haptic deafferentiation, a rare neurological disorder, struggle to simulate others' actions due to lack of body perception. They successfully estimated weight but failed to recognize deception.