russian hacking Trump’s lack of incentive to investigate claims is problematic
procrastination Digital technologies have helped students procrastinate more effectively
SEE opinions, page 6
SEE tech, page 8
wrestling Sophomore John van Brill entered the Open Mat rankings for the first time this week
WEATHER Sunny, showers overnight High: 43 Low: 29
SEE sports, back
Serving the Rutgers community since 1869. Independent since 1980.
rutgers university—new brunswick
tuesday, DECEMBER 13, 2016
ONLINE AT DAILYTARGUM.COM
‘Cuffing season’ based on new scientific data Marissa Scognamiglio Contributing Writer
With temperatures dropping and the holiday season commencing, “cuffing season” has arrived at Rutgers. Recent studies suggest that this social media trend might stem from biological and societal influences. Cuffing season refers to the colder winter months from the end of November to the beginning of March, when students typically seek out serious relationships. Known as a millennial fad and trending hashtag, science suggests this may be the closest thing humanity experiences to a mating season. Stephen Kilianski, a teaching instructor in the Department of Psychology, said coupling is more
likely to occur in the winter to combat the depression brought on by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). “When there’s less sunlight that results in hormonal changes in the brain that can lead to depression or at least more negative feelings,” he said. “Bonding closely with another person can help to relieve those kinds of feelings.” Though humans mate yearround, Kilanski said it seems reduction in sunlight is a factor in people’s increased desire to find a partner to bear the cold weather with. Kilianski said when an individual forges a relationship with another person, it is mutually rewarding for a number of reasons. See data on Page 4
Cuffing season, when people start looking for significant others after temperatures drop, may have a basis in psychological conditions. Bonding with another person can help relieve symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JEFFREY GOMEZ / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
U. faculty weigh in on effectiveness of nationwide student movements victoria nazarov contributing writer
Scott Glenn, a professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, is helping to launch a submersible to follow in the path of the first ship to travel across the world 150 years ago. RUTGERS.EDU
Rutgers launches sub to traverse oceans Nicholas Simon Staff Writer
In the 1870s, the HMS Challenger became the first ship to circumnavigate the globe for scientific purposes. Almost 150 years later, Rutgers staff and students are retracing the ship’s path with a submersible robot. This undertaking, dubbed the Challenger Glider Mission, is overseen by Rutgers Center of Ocean Observing Leadership (RU COOL). The center is reenacting history using present-day technology,
while also gathering data about the ocean’s changing temperatures, according to the Mission’s website. The HMS Challenger was initially a British warship modified to conduct oceanic research. The original journey, which took place from 1873 to 1876, sought to unearth information to settle disputes regarding the theory of evolution, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The objective of the Challenger Glider Mission differed greatly See oceans on Page 5
While student protests and activism are not novel phenomena, the amount of protests on campuses across the U.S has spiked in recent years. The trend can be attributed to hostile racial climates on college campuses and racial injustices in higher education, Rutgers professor Jefferson Decker said. Decker, a professor in the Department of American Studies, said the spike in the amount of student activism is unsurprising considering the recent national debate over race and criminal justice within the context of the recent presidential election. “College students at Rutgers and elsewhere have good reason to have strong feelings about these issues,” Decker said. “Those strong feelings See movements on Page 4
Though Rutgers students, and college students in general, have been protesting more in recent years, but their effectiveness depends on how they do so. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / PHOTO EDITOR
Researchers discover innovative method to detect, filter unclean water stephen weiss correspondent
This past year, Newark was among a number of cities across the United States to experience the negative effects of water contamination, according to NJ
Advance Media. In November, a team of Rutgers University researchers announced the discover y of a new and effective way to detect and filter unclean water. Led by Jing Li, a distinguished researcher and professor in the Department of Chemistry and
VOLUME 148, ISSUE 123 • University ... 3 • opinions ... 6 • classifieds ... 7 • tech ... 8 • Diversions ... 9 • SPORTS ... BACK
Chemical Biology, the team found that certain highly porous luminescent crystalline materials can actually bind to toxins and heavy metals within water, trapping them and displaying the liquid’s drinkability. See water on Page 5