Coral reefs…have survived five major extinction events over the last 250 million years. Now, an international team of scientists led by Rutgers faculty has conducted the world’s most comprehensive analysis of coral genes, focusing on how their evolution has allowed corals to interact with and adapt to the environment… “There are a few key genes in corals that allow them to build this house that laid down the foundation for many, many thousands of years of corals,” said Debashish Bhattacharya, a professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers. “It couldn’t be any more fundamental to ocean ecosystems.” (Also appeared in Science Daily, Science Codex, eScienceNews, ScienMag.com, Science Newsline.)
Archives for May 2016
Bathroom not top priority
Thank you for your editorial “A transgender woman walks into a ladies room. So?” You rightly point out climate change is a “much more pressing” issue than which bathroom a transgender person can use… Arctic sea ice levels are on track to hit new record lows this year. The Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on earth. According to the Washington Post, “We’re in record breaking territory no matter how you look at it,” says Jennifer Francis, an Arctic specialist at Rutgers University who has published widely on how Arctic changes affect weather in the mid-latitudes.
Maine Voices: At Hiroshima, Obama should begin leading world back from the brink
When President Obama speaks at ground zero in Hiroshima on Friday, he must do more than recall the horrific consequences of the first atomic bombing… In a series of professional journal articles, Rutgers environmental scientist Alan Robock, University of Colorado atmospheric and oceanic scientist Owen Brian Toon and others document that the likely impact of a so-called “limited nuclear war” on climate and global food production would put the world’s population at grave risk of mass starvation.
Rutgers Gardens Celebrates its Centennial Anniversary in 2016
During Rutgers Historic 250th Year its ‘Secret Garden’ turns 100! Rutgers Gardens celebrated its Centennial on May 17th with an outdoor reception under a large tent in the Roy DeBoer Evergreen Gardens. Despite the rain, the tent was packed with faculty, staff, and many supporters and volunteers. This historic moment in the Gardens’ history was […]
Edible Jersey Profiles the ‘Rutgers Scarlet’ Strawberry: The Jersey Berry
If Bill Hlubik has his way, there will be strawberry fields forever— or at least a little longer each year— in the Garden State. Hlubik and his team at the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station hope to someday introduce new varieties that will extend the growing season beyond the traditional four weeks for June-bearing […]
Students Learn About Marine Science On Cape May Trip
You may not think of the life cycle of an oyster when you see the tasty mollusk on the menu, but East Windsor students recently got to learn not only about the science behind the shellfish, but also the history of the oyster trade and its impact on the Delaware Bay economy… “For a lot of kids, these experiences are eye-openers, even for our local students — they may not be aware of the Delaware Bay and its importance in the local economy and environment,” said Jenny Paterno, Program Coordinator II of the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory at Rutgers University.
Cape May County 4-H Robotics Team Takes First Place
The “Fuzzy Logic” 4-H Robotics Club recently took first place in the Middle School Division of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) 2016 Robot Challenge. The fifth and sixth grade students are part of a 4-H club that meets after school at Cape Christian Academy. The students had to build the robot from a block of wood, 4 motors, 16 D-cell batteries and a supply of other parts provided in the kit… “Students love robotics, and it’s a lot of fun- but it’s also a lot of work,” said Mr. John Spriggs, the 4-H club leader. “This competition places emphasis on the mechanics of building a robot and presenting how you built it and what you learned. I also love teaching the students how to program the robots and how to think logically.”
Record-Breaking Heat Grips India Amid Rash of Farmer Suicides
Temperatures in India reached a record-breaking 123.8 degrees Fahrenheit Friday, according to the Associated Press, suffocating parts of the country, and drawing further attention to a tragic rash of suicide deaths among the nation’s impoverished farmers, who are battling drought and other environmental conditions that stifle agricultural production… “The heat wave in India is another example that our climate is changing,” said Ben Horton, a scientist at the University of Rutgers who focuses on climate change. “We are now experiencing climate extremes that include droughts, wildfires, flood, storms, and tropical cyclones as well.”
Canada wildfires in ‘bullseye’ of warming trends
Experts say climate change is contributing to the wildfires raging across Canada, and the increasing frequency of such fires may overwhelm one of Earth’s most important ecosystems, the boreal forest… “There is almost certainly a connection between the exceedingly warm Arctic, especially so this past winter, and the early fire season in high-latitude land areas, which includes much of Canada,” said Jennifer Francis, research professor at Rutgers University.
Are microwave ovens safe & nutritious? Or just convenient?
Over the last several decades, microwave ovens have become a standard kitchen appliance in many American homes. But for some, doubts remain about their safety and impact on the nutritional value of food cooked in them… This week on “Take Care,” food scientist Don Schaffner takes us behind the microwave door to explain how microwave ovens work, and the ways this kind of cooking technology interacts with food. Schaffner is an extension specialist in food science and distinguished professor at Rutgers University. He is a world-renowned expert on food safety and protection and is the co-host of a podcast on microbial food safety.