South Middlesex Times

New Jersey residents are split on the efficacy of firearms in providing protection against intruders in the home, as revealed by the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll conducted in collaboration with the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center.According to the poll results, opinions vary widely regarding the impact of storing a firearm in one's home for protection. The data shows that 32 percent of respondents believe that having a firearm in the home does not lower the risk of an intruder causing harm, while 18 percent think it only slightly lowers the risk, 20 percent believe...

Pioneering AI for Over 50 Years

Rutgers researchers have been at the forefront of artificial intelligence for over 50 years, with their contributions spanning various fields and applications. In 1968, Saul Amarel, the founder of Rutgers’ computer science department, wrote a paper that positioned him as a pioneer in the AI movement.Today, Rutgers continues to lead in AI research and education, with professors preparing students to be the next generation of AI leaders. The university is actively exploring ways to leverage AI in areas such as fighting crime, enhancing cybersecurity, and creating job...

Ways Rutgers Is Shaping the AI Revolution

Rutgers researchers have been at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution, with a long-standing history of pioneering work in the field. According to Matthew Stone, a professor of computer science at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, AI technology is pervasive in our daily lives, powering everything from Amazon's recommendations to Google searches and financial trading.One of the key areas where Rutgers researchers are making an impact is in cybersecurity. Jie Gao, a Rutgers computer scientist, is collaborating with other top leaders in the field to develop...

Benefits of Quitting Cigarettes During Pregnancy Exceed Dangers of Weight Gain

Quitting cigarettes during pregnancy may increase obesity-related complications for both parent and baby, but Rutgers Health researchers found that reductions in stillbirths and premature deliveries outweigh these dangers and speculated that nutrition counseling could increase the benefits."Cigarettes are a powerful appetite suppressant, so quitters tend to gain considerable weight, particularly when they are still going through withdrawal," said Morgan Dunn, a final year obstetrics and gynecology resident at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and lead author of...

Five Rutgers Professors Honored as AAAS Fellows for Groundbreaking Research

Five Rutgers professors have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for their outstanding contributions to various scientific fields. These individuals are leading the way in cutting-edge research that aims to bring about positive change in the world and improve people's lives.Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway expressed his admiration for the honored faculty members, stating, "The five newly inducted Rutgers fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science are at the leading edge of research in neuroscience...

Freeman Hrabowski, Educator and Civil Rights Champion, to Address Rutgers University Commencement

Freeman Hrabowski III, a renowned educator, mathematician, and president emeritus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, is set to address graduates at the 258th anniversary commencement of Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Health on May 12, 2024. Hrabowski will also be awarded an honorary doctor of letters degree on this occasion. President Jonathan Holloway expressed his excitement, stating, "I am thrilled to welcome our esteemed commencement speakers and honorary degree recipients to celebrate our remarkable 2024 graduating class."Hrabowski, known...

Lea P. Stewart Appointed to the Richard D. Heffner Professorship in Communications and Public Policy

Rutgers University has appointed Lea P. Stewart to the Richard D. Heffner Professorship in Communications and Public Policy, recognizing her groundbreaking research in the field. Stewart, who is the director of the Center for Communication and Health Issues and professor of communication at the School of Communication and Information at Rutgers-New Brunswick, expressed her gratitude for the appointment, stating, "I had the privilege of working with Richard Heffner for many years. He was an engaged teacher, with a keen mind, who always challenged his students to do their...

Surf Clams Off the Coast of Virginia Reappear – and Rebound

The Atlantic surfclam, an economically valuable species that is the main ingredient in clam chowder and fried clam strips, has made a remarkable comeback in Virginia waters, signaling a significant reversal of a decline that lasted for over twenty years.Daphne Munroe, an associate professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University, expressed her surprise and delight at the resurgence of the surfclam population, stating, “It’s unexpected and it’s good news.” Munroe further noted, “They disappeared some time ago – we thought they were gone. But...

Cheapest midgrade gas in cities across Middlesex County in week ending Apr. 13

The only price of midgrade gas in cities throughout Middlesex County was found at a single gas station in the week ending Apr. 13, according to GasBuddy.com.

Emily S. Barrett Appointed to the George G. Rhoads Endowed Legacy Professorship

Emily S. Barrett has been appointed to the George G. Rhoads Endowed Legacy Professorship by the Rutgers University Board of Governors. In response to her appointment, Barrett expressed her gratitude, stating, “This is a particularly special honor for me given Dr. Rhoads’ reputation as a pioneer in environmental epidemiology and maternal-child health.”Barrett, a professor and vice chair of the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Rutgers School of Public Health, emphasized her commitment to following in Dr. Rhoads' footsteps by improving children's...

1 gas station in cities throughout Middlesex County had the cheapest premium gas in week ending Apr. 13

The only price of premium gas in cities throughout Middlesex County was found at a single gas station in the week ending Apr. 13, according to GasBuddy.com.

Alumna’s Award-Nominated Podcast Aims to Uplift and Explore Black Culture

Gia Peppers, the host of the award-nominated podcast "More Than That With Gia Peppers," is dedicated to uplifting Black voices and exploring Black culture. Peppers, who is also an executive producer on the show, emphasizes that the podcast serves to challenge listeners to see themselves beyond societal barriers and current circumstances.Reflecting on the purpose of her podcast, Peppers stated, “It’s for the Black community and those who support the Black community. We are more than what any barrier of society portrays us to be.” Her work recently earned a nomination for a...

Addressing the Mental Health of Immigrants in the U.S.

Renowned expert in immigration and mental health, Germán A. Cadenas, recently shared insights on the mental health challenges faced by immigrants in the United States. Cadenas, a member of the American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Immigration and Health, emphasized the importance of understanding the stress and trauma experienced by immigrants on their journey to seek safety and a better life.Speaking about the impact of societal attitudes on immigrants, Cadenas highlighted that "the rise of xenophobia and racism is the biggest challenge impacting...

Peer Support in Emergency Departments Linked to Improved Opioid Treatment Initiation and Reduced Overdoses, Rutgers Study Finds

A recent study conducted by Rutgers Health has found that individuals with a nonfatal opioid overdose who have access to a peer support program while in the emergency department are more likely to initiate treatment and less likely to have repeated overdoses. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, is the largest of its kind to examine outcomes associated with emergency department-based peer support for opioid use disorders.Nina Cooperman, associate professor of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and an author of the study, highlighted the...

Senior Leaves Her Mark at Rutgers as an Advocate for Indigenous Peoples