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Cornell University


Look who’s talking now: The fishes!

A new study from Cornell University reveals that fish are more likely to communicate with sound than previously thought. Researchers found 175 families of ray-finned fishes that use sound for communication, including species that have been doing so for at least 155 million years.

SourceCornell University·JournalIchthyology & Herpetology·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 27, 2022

Employee training pays off with fewer layoffs

Investments in employee training decrease reliance on layoffs during pandemic-induced financial pressures. Banks with higher levels of training made more cuts to expenses in other areas, reducing workforce reductions. Employee training offers stronger job protection when paired with investments in physical capital and technologies.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateJan 6, 2022

3D semiconductor particles offer 2D properties

Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that the junctures of 3D semiconductor particles' facet edges display 2D properties, which can boost solar energy conversion technologies. The unique electronic properties of these particles can be leveraged for photocatalytic processes.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 3, 2022

Alternative statistical method could improve clinical trials

Researchers have developed a new statistical toolkit using the fragility index to determine if clinical trial results are strong and reliable. The new method has been shown to be more flexible than previous versions, allowing researchers to test assumptions and consider implications of a wider range of outcomes.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2021

Shifting conferences online cuts carbon footprint 94%

A new study by Cornell University found that moving professional conferences online reduces the global event industry's carbon footprint by 94%, and shifting to a hybrid model cuts it to 67%. The annual carbon footprint of the industry is comparable to the yearly greenhouse gas emissions of the entire US.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 16, 2021

Bird singing contests: A clash of culture and conservation

Researchers found bird-singing contests taking place in at least 22 countries using 36 species of birds, with pressure on wild populations like the White-rumped Shama and Orange-headed Thrush. The practice also drives demand for songbirds in Southeast Asia, a region where more species are threatened by trade

SourceCornell University·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 8, 2021

Study digs up roles bacteria play in global carbon cycle

Researchers at Cornell University developed a novel method to track microbes and understand their role in processing soil carbon. The study found that different types of bacteria have varying strategies for assimilating carbon, categorized into guilds based on their access to food.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 22, 2021

Rural Bangladeshis turn to faith, family for fact-checking

A Cornell University study finds that rural Bangladeshi villagers rely on local experts, spiritual views and social justice to evaluate new coronavirus information. They use a five-part system called 'situated fact-checking' to assess claims, considering factors like the source's reputation and the community's sense of morality.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·DateNov 11, 2021

Can't find your keys? You need a chickadee brain

Scientists have identified a genetic component underlying the spatial memories of Mountain Chickadees, which rely on these abilities to survive harsh winters. The study used genetic sequencing and behavioral tests to show that natural selection is shaping chickadee memory.

SourceCornell University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2021

Sperm switch swimming patterns to locate egg

A new study reveals how sperm change their swimming patterns to navigate to the egg, shifting from symmetrical to asymmetrical motion. This change in behavior, called hyperactivation, enables the sperm to sweep the area once in the egg's proximity.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2021

Structured management protocols help firms thrive

Using data from over 353 million unique observations, researchers found that companies with structured management practices attracted top-flight managers and were able to keep talented workers. This suggests that better-managed firms are growing in terms of employment, and that these firms can influence the entire labor market.

SourceCornell University·JournalManagement Science·DateOct 25, 2021

Cheers! Wine’s red grape pulp offers nutritional bounty

A new study by Cornell University researchers reveals that the pulp from red grapes used in wine production contains beneficial stilbenes that can positively affect human intestines and the stomach's microbiome. The findings suggest a potential link between grape consumption and reduced risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

SourceCornell University·JournalNutrients·DateOct 18, 2021

Sim City for food science takes on Listeria outbreaks

A new study from Cornell University uses digital twins to identify optimal times and locations for detecting Listeria bacteria in produce facilities, reducing the risk of contamination. The researchers' model provides a novel way for food safety managers to visualize microbial contamination risks and experiment with different sampling ...

SourceCornell University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateOct 18, 2021

Lavish wealth tolerated more for individuals than groups

A new study from Cornell University suggests that people are more willing to accept extreme wealth disparities when attributed to individual success rather than group outcomes. The researchers found that tolerance for inequality depends on who is considered at the top of the economic ladder, with individuals being seen as having intern...

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2021

Women indirectly hurt more by noncompete pacts

A Cornell University study finds that noncompete agreements disproportionately affect women entrepreneurs, blocking them from starting high-growth companies. The 'fear factor' associated with noncompetes also limits the ability of women to hire experienced employees, making entrepreneurial ventures riskier.

SourceCornell University·JournalOrganization Science·DateOct 12, 2021

Extreme exoplanet even more exotic than originally thought

The discovery of ionized calcium on the exoplanet WASP-76b suggests that its atmospheric temperature is higher than previously thought or that it has very strong upper atmosphere winds. The research findings are from a multiyear project exploring the diversity of planetary atmospheres using high-resolution spectra obtained with Gemini ...

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 5, 2021