Oysters are one of the world’s most important seafood products, with farms producing about 7 million metric tons each year. Now, researchers have unlocked the complete genetic code of a special hybrid oyster, providing a valuable tool that could help improve how these shellfish are farmed. The study, published in Scientific Data, presents the first chromosomal-level genome assembly of an …
Scientists have long reconstructed the extent of ancient ice sheets by analyzing chemical signatures in seafloor sediments. The traditional view held that the Northern Hemisphere ice sheets started small about 3 million years ago and gradually grew larger over time, reaching their maximum extent only in the last 800,000 years. This progression seemed to explain why a shift in the …
RCEI affiliate Eric Lam, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plant Biology, was the recipient of the Agriculture Innovation Award at the Rutgers Office of Research banquet on Oct 7, celebrating the 2025 awards winners with peers, industry executives and Rutgers University leadership. The Rutgers Innovation Awards, hosted by the Rutgers Office for Research for the second year in a …
Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) recently welcomed students from the prestigious Governor’s STEM Scholars program for an immersive day of scientific exploration and sustainability-focused learning. The program was hosted at the Ludwig Global Village Living Learning Center and featured a full day of activities focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Governor’s STEM Scholars program is designed to engage …
The German Ruhr Region and the State of New Jersey share both a rich industrial history as well as a transition from an industrial to service economy as noted in Climate Bridge: An International Perspective on How to Enact Climate Action at the Government Public Interface, a new book from Rutgers University Press that discusses climate change …
A new study published in Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health reveals how cultural values and community ties shape the health, resilience, and well-being of immigrant communities—especially when facing natural disasters that are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Victoria Ramenzoni, RCEI Affiliate, Associate Professor in the Department of Human Ecology, was a co-author on the study. …
As global temperatures rise and heat waves become more common, farmers and gardeners face a growing challenge: how to keep plants healthy when it’s scorching hot. A new study offers hope by showing that plants can actually “remember” past stressful experiences and use that memory to better handle future heat. Bingru Huang, RCEI Affiliate, a Distinguished Professor in the Department …
What will our energy future look like? How can we ensure a reliable and affordable supply of energy for homes and businesses for generations to come? Can we do so without running out of fuel or generating pollution, and with consideration for climate change? For Robert Mieth, an RCEI Affiliate and Assistant Professor in the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department …
Congratulations to the eight RCEI affiliates receiving a 2025 SEBS/NJAES Excellence Award! Each recipient exemplifies the spirit of excellence, collaboration, and dedication that defines the SEBS/NJAES community. See the full list of awardees here.
In Antarctica’s frigid waters, tiny shrimp-like creatures called krill are the foundation of the entire ocean food web, feeding everything from penguins to whales. But how do these krill—and the microscopic plants they eat—end up in the right place at the right time? A new study reveals that ocean currents act like invisible highways, concentrating food into specific areas where …
