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Cornell University


Efficacy, cash and more will increase booster shot acceptance

The study found that a booster shot's effectiveness is the primary factor influencing people's willingness to receive it. Those who believe in vaccine efficacy are more likely to accept the booster shot, especially if it is made by Moderna or Pfizer. A partisan divide persists, with Democrats more willing and Republicans less willing.

SourceCornell University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateAug 29, 2022

Microscopy reveals mechanism behind new CRISPR tool

Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a new CRISPR system called Craspase, which has the potential to develop promising antiviral and tissue engineering tools in animals and plants. The study uses cryo-electron microscopy snapshots to explain how Craspase identifies RNA targets and activates proteases.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateAug 25, 2022

‘Tracking’ students can be beneficial, study finds

Research by Cornell University finds that college students marginally placed into 'high-ability' classes have lower grades and graduation rates. These students perform better than their peers in the lower-ability track, passing four fewer courses on average and being nearly nine percentage points less likely to earn a degree.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Public Economics·DateAug 24, 2022

Social media boycott of Goya did not harm sales

A new study found that social media boycotts of Goya Foods actually caused the company's nationwide sales to rise for a few weeks before subsiding to previous levels. Sales revived after a few weeks, even in geographic areas where customers forgo Goya products, driven by politically motivated first-time buyers supporting the brand.

SourceCornell University·JournalMarketing Science·DateAug 24, 2022

Wobbling droplets in space confirm late professor’s theory

Researchers confirmed a key aspect of Professor Steen's theory on how liquids interact with surfaces, showing that water droplet mobility can be controlled by vibration frequencies. The study, conducted on the International Space Station, used microgravity to demonstrate the impact of surface roughness on contact line movement.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 16, 2022

Birds on island time

The study found that island size and location have a significant impact on seasonal bird species richness. Islands in the Northern Hemisphere at mid-latitudes during migration periods host the highest number of species, while tropical islands peak with species numbers during the non-breeding season.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 10, 2022

Extreme heat exposure worsens child malnutrition

A study of over 32,000 West African children found that extreme heat exposure increases the prevalence of stunted growth from chronic malnutrition by 12% and of low weight from acute malnutrition by 29%. The researchers estimate that rising temperatures could nearly double the effect of heat exposure on stunting.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateJul 25, 2022

Study finds new links between dogs’ smell and vision

Researchers at Cornell University found connections between the brain's olfactory pathway and visual cortex in dogs, showing that olfaction is integrated with vision in terms of learning about the environment. This study corroborates clinical experiences with blind dogs who function remarkably well despite their condition.

SourceCornell University·JournalJNeurosci·DateJul 18, 2022

Deformable pump gives soft robots a heart

A team of researchers from Cornell University has developed a deformable pump for soft robots, mimicking the human heart's functionality. The pump uses hydrodynamic and magnetic forces to provide soft robots with a circulatory system, allowing them to store energy and power their movements more efficiently.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 15, 2022

To reduce carbon, colleges should target purchasing, travel

Research analyzed Cornell University's greenhouse gas consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that 60% of emissions came from off-campus activities. The study provides a framework for universities to reduce carbon footprint and achieve climate goals, with Cornell aiming to reach carbon neutrality by 2035.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateJul 6, 2022

Timing is everything for weed management

Researchers identified peak emergence times for 15 problematic weed species in the Northeast, revealing that waiting till after June 1 can avoid common ragweed. Flexible crop rotations and weather-based predictions can help farmers plan ahead and control weeds more effectively.

SourceCornell University·JournalFrontiers in Agronomy·DateJul 5, 2022

Amazon River freshwater fish show signs of overexploitation

The Amazon River's biodiversity is under strong fishing pressure, indicating a stress that menaces the region's ability to provide protein and other essential nutrients. The research found that large-bodied species are more vulnerable to overexploitation and being replaced by smaller species.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJun 8, 2022

Widespread futile care could contribute to veterinary burnout

A new Cornell-led study reveals that more than 99% of veterinarians have encountered useless or non-beneficial veterinary care, leading to moral distress and difficulties in advocating for euthanasia. The study found that 89% of veterinarians administer futile care, with 42% experiencing frequent instances.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateJun 1, 2022

Higher dengue rates found near Colombian public transit

A new Cornell University-led study found that low-income residents near new public transit stations in Medellin, Colombia experienced higher dengue fever rates. The researchers discovered that the proximity to these stations and socioeconomic status are significant factors in determining dengue incidence rates.

SourceCornell University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 31, 2022

Women resent compliments about communality at work

New Cornell University research finds that women experience more frustration when praised for collaborative qualities than men, who are expected to be assertive. The study suggests that positive gender stereotypes can backfire and have negative emotional consequences for women in the workplace.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMay 27, 2022

Cornell, US Navy raise bar for autonomous underwater imaging

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new algorithm for autonomous underwater sonar imaging that significantly improves speed and accuracy for identifying objects such as explosive mines and sunken ships. The new approach, called informative multi-view planning, integrates information about object locations with sonar proc...

SourceCornell University·JournalIEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering·DateMay 26, 2022

Artificial cilia could someday power diagnostic devices

Cornell researchers have designed a micro-sized artificial cilial system using platinum-based components that can control the movement of fluids at a scale similar to biological cilia. The technology could enable low-cost diagnostic devices for testing blood samples, manipulating cells or assisting in microfabrication processes.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateMay 25, 2022

Vine removal technique foils devastating grape disease

A new vine removal technique called spatial roguing can significantly reduce the incidence of leafroll disease in commercial vineyards. Removing two vines on either side of a diseased grapevine creates a barrier that eliminates the mealybugs' means of transporting the virus, leading to a rapid decline in disease incidence.

SourceCornell University·JournalAmerican Journal of Enology and Viticulture·DateMay 17, 2022

Jellyfish’s stinging cells hold clues to biodiversity

Researchers found that jellyfish's stinging cells evolved by repurposing a neuron inherited from a pre-cnidarian ancestor. This discovery provides insights into the emergence of new cell types and the evolution of biodiversity, suggesting that co-option of ancestral cell types was an important source for new cell functions.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2022

Underestimating people’s COVID concerns undermines cooperation

A Cornell-led study found that underestimating people's COVID concerns can have severe consequences, including undermining cooperation and trust. The researchers analyzed over 1 million responses from mid-2020 and discovered significant disparities in concern levels between different racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic, Black, and Asian...

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·DateMay 11, 2022

Global bird populations steadily declining

A recent study reveals that approximately 48% of existing bird species worldwide are undergoing population declines, with only 6% showing increasing trends. The study identifies key threats including natural habitat loss, direct overexploitation and climate change.

SourceCornell University·JournalAnnual Review of Environment and Resources·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 5, 2022