After nearly a decade of painstaking research, a new tomato variety is ready for its moment in the sun. “Scarlet Sunrise,” a bicolor grape tomato developed through a long collaboration between Rutgers researchers Peter Nitzsche and Tom Orton, is a sweet, crack-resistant tomato with a golden hue and a reddish blush. Its name is meant to be evocative […]
Research
Mississippi River Disruptions Could Raise Food and Fertilizer Costs, Study Finds
When drought and extreme weather lower water levels on the Mississippi River, it doesn’t just slow boats—it can ripple through the whole economy. A new study in Risk Analysis shows how climate change–related disruptions to fertilizer shipments along the river can shrink GDP and raise prices, especially in states like Illinois and Minnesota. Fred Roberts, an […]
How Puerto Rican Communities Stepped Up After Hurricane María
When Hurricane María hit Puerto Rico in 2017, it left behind widespread destruction—no power, destroyed homes, and thousands dead. Many people felt abandoned by the government. But some local groups stepped up to take care of their neighbors when official help never came. In a new study published in Geoforum, the authors explore how two […]
Flying High to Find Drought-Resistant Grass
Zoysiagrass is a popular lawn choice because it looks great and handles heat fairly well—but it still struggles in dry conditions. A new study is using drones and advanced imaging technology to find out which types of zoysiagrass do best when water is scarce. Bingru Huang, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plant Biology and […]
Building Fair Climate Solutions: What We Can Learn from Washington and Colorado
Todd Vachon, an affiliate of the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute, is a co-author of a new study that explores how different groups—like labor unions, environmental advocates, and community organizations—can work together to create fair and effective climate policies. The study, published in Environmental Politics, compares two major efforts in Washington State and Colorado to build […]
Rutgers Researchers Chart Next Steps for Developing Lateral Flow COVID-19-Type Tests to Monitor Coral Health
In a recent review in the journal BioEssays, Rutgers researchers described the next steps needed to produce affordable, field-portable diagnostic tests to deliver coral health monitoring tools to local communities. The latest collaborative effort brought together coral restoration practitioners, which included the Coral Restoration Foundation, academic researchers at Rutgers, small business owner, CapitalCorals Research & […]
Scientists Uncover DNA Secrets to Bolster Corn Crop Traits
A team that includes Rutgers University-New Brunswick scientists has unlocked some of the secrets of corn DNA, revealing how specific sections of genetic material control vital traits such as plant architecture and pest resistance. The discovery could enable scientists to use new technologies to improve corn, making it more resilient and productive, the scientists said. […]
New Catalyst Breakthrough Could Make Clean Ammonia Easier to Produce
Producing ammonia—a key ingredient in fertilizer and a promising hydrogen energy carrier—traditionally requires lots of energy and fossil fuels. But a new study offers a more efficient, greener method for making ammonia using only nitrogen from the air and water, with help from electricity. Huixin He, associate professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, […]
RUCOOL Researchers Find Decades of Warming and Salinity Changes in the Caribbean Sea
A new study led by Rutgers researchers reports long-term warming and shifts in salinity in the Caribbean Through‑Flow (CTF), a major ocean current that connects the tropics to the North Atlantic. The findings, published in Nature Scientific Reports, suggest that ongoing changes in this region may play a role in influencing broader ocean and climate […]
Clams Grew Slower in Warmer Ancient Seas, Study Finds
A new study reveals that warmer oceans thousands of years ago slowed the growth of an important clam species in the Adriatic Sea—giving us a glimpse into how marine life might react to future climate change. Fiorella Prada, assistant professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and affiliate of the Rutgers Climate and Energy […]
