Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Rutgers University


Palliative care doesn’t improve psychological distress

A Rutgers study found no statistically significant improvements in patient or caregiver anxiety, depression, or psychological distress in palliative care interventions. The researchers identified conceptual and methodological problems in the literature, including excluding patients with existing mental health conditions from studies.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Pain and Symptom Management·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 24, 2023

New Jersey regulation not associated with curbed opioid prescriptions or shortened usage

A Rutgers University analysis of Medicaid records found that the regulation did not reduce progression from short-term to long-term opioid use, but did decrease new prescriptions written for more than five days. This change may have reduced leftover opioids available for misuse, but also forced patients who needed longer treatments to ...

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 20, 2023

How the Mongolian gerbil may help speed recovery of a rare inner ear problem

Researchers developed a testing model to understand cognitive challenges of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), a rare condition causing sound-induced dizziness and hearing abnormalities. The Mongolian gerbil model shows promise for accelerating recovery with reversible diagnostic findings characteristic of patients with SSCD.

SourceRutgers University·JournalFrontiers in Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

New tobacco product marketing depends on demographics

Researchers at Rutgers University found that disposable e-cigarettes were more likely sold in specialized stores, while nicotine pouches were available in convenience stores and areas with non-Hispanic white residents. The study suggests that these products are targeted to different audiences and informs potential policy actions.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPreventive Medicine Reports·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 10, 2023

Mapping Mexico’s dengue fever hotspots

A Rutgers researcher has analyzed data from Mexico's Ministry of Health to identify dengue fever hotspots, highlighting areas where severe outbreaks occur. The study found that lower socioeconomic status increases risk of dengue fever and that DENV-2 is the deadliest serotype.

SourceRutgers University·JournalEcological Informatics·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 1, 2023

Can a computer teach babies to count?

A two-year study by Rutgers researcher Jinjing Jenny Wang found that babies between 14 and 19 months old benefit from watching counting videos, engaging them with real-life scenarios. The study's findings suggest these videos could reduce disparities in children who may not receive enough counting exposure from caregivers.

SourceRutgers University·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateJan 31, 2023

Military service members who hide their suicidal thoughts are more likely to store their firearms unsafely

A Rutgers study found that military service members who hide their suicidal thoughts and avoid behavioral health care tend to store their firearms unsafely. Those with undisclosed past year suicidal thoughts stored their firearms at home more often and with a locking device in place less often.

SourceRutgers University·JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateJan 9, 2023

After 40 years of decline, stroke death rates are rising again

A recent analysis found a dramatic decline in stroke mortality between 1975 and 2019, but the trend is reversing due to an aging population. Despite this, researchers warn that total stroke fatalities will rise as millennials age, highlighting the need for novel strategies to combat the trend.

SourceRutgers University·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 6, 2023

Hispanic and Latino young males with higher education, greater acculturation are more likely to use e-cigarettes

A Rutgers study found that Hispanic and Latino young men with higher education who were born in the US and speak mostly English at home are more likely to use e-cigarettes. The study analyzed data from 11,275 adult participants and found a high use of e-cigarettes among those under 45 years of age.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Medicine Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 20, 2022

New DNA analysis provides first accurate tuberculosis genome

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a novel genome assembly tool called Bact-Builder that creates an improved genome map of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This breakthrough enables the identification of new genes and gene fragments missing in current reference sequences, which could lead to better treatments and vaccines.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Strong connection to neighbors may improve health outcomes

Researchers found that participants who lived alone and reported strong cohesion with their neighbors had a similar risk of death compared to those living with others. Living alone is associated with various poor health outcomes, including depression, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and premature death.

SourceRutgers University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 13, 2022

Itchy eyes and a runny nose? It could be climate change

Researchers at Rutgers University simulated climate change's impact on allergenic pollens, finding significant increases in airborne pollen loads by 2050. The study predicts earlier start times and longer durations for pollen seasons across the US, with notable regional shifts.

SourceRutgers University·JournalFrontiers in Allergy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 6, 2022

Buprenorphine, not methadone, may be safer treatment for opioid-use disorder during pregnancy

Researchers found that buprenorphine use was associated with better outcomes for the baby, including lower risk of preterm birth, small size for gestational age, and low birth weight. The study suggests increasing access to buprenorphine treatment among pregnant individuals with opioid-use disorder.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 30, 2022

Rutgers researchers discover how immune cells prevent cognitive decline

A Rutgers study suggests that mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAITs) protect against cognitive decline by creating antioxidant molecules. Injecting MAITs into genetically altered mice restored their cognitive function, and researchers hope to compare MAIT numbers in healthy humans and those with cognitive diseases like Alzheimer's.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2022

Rutgers researcher creates algorithms to predict arsenic contamination in private wells in New Jersey

A Rutgers researcher has created a machine learning model that can estimate arsenic contamination in private wells without sampling the water. The model identifies geological bedrock type and soil type as primary contributors to higher arsenic concentrations, highlighting the need for targeted well testing programs.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateNov 28, 2022

Drug used for sleep disorders is linked to higher risk of overdose in teens, young adults

A new study by Rutgers researchers found that young people treated for sleep disorders with benzodiazepines like Xanax may be at a higher risk of overdose. The study examined over 90,000 newly prescribed benzodiazepine patients and found an increased risk of overdose compared to other prescription sleep medications.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 23, 2022

Bariatric surgery decreases risk of heart disease

A Rutgers study of 86,964 adults with obesity and NAFLD found that bariatric surgery reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by 49% compared to nonsurgical care. This is significant because heart disease is a leading cause of death in the US, and NAFLD can lead to liver damage and inflammation.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 14, 2022

Parental discord may be an indicator of children’s genetic risk for future alcohol misuse

A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that parental discord and divorce may be indicators of children's genetic risk for future alcohol misuse. Researchers found that exposure to parents' relationship discord or divorce is associated with increased risk of alcohol use disorder symptoms in adulthood.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateNov 3, 2022

Infants who die unexpectedly in the first week might have different risk factors than those who die in the first month

A Rutgers study found that infants who died unexpectedly in the first week of life had different risk factors compared to those who died later. The study analyzed data from 2000 to 2015 and found that mothers of infants dying in the first week showed less evidence of common risk factors such as smoking during pregnancy.

SourceRutgers University·JournalThe Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 20, 2022