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Cornell University


Cancer's metabolism subject of trailblazing study

Researchers examined cancer metabolism using flux-balance analysis and found that the Warburg effect provides a growth advantage for tumors, while glutamine addiction does not. The study also sheds light on the relationship between healthy cells and tumor cells under the reverse Warburg effect.

SourceCornell University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 20, 2018

Climate change imperils Midwest ag production

A Cornell University-led study finds that Midwest agriculture is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with a clear escalation in climate sensitivity between the 1960s and '70s and more recent years. The region's reliance on rain-fed crops and specialization in crop production contribute to this vulnerability.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 12, 2018

How will the winds of climate change affect migratory birds?

A new study from Cornell University suggests that climate change could have both positive and negative impacts on migratory birds. The research estimates how wind assistance is expected to change during this century under global climate change, with stronger winds from the south expected in spring and fall migration periods.

SourceCornell University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateDec 10, 2018

Study upends timeline for Iroquoian history

Recent studies have questioned the conventional dating of indigenous sites in Ontario, Canada, with new evidence pointing to a 50-100 year shift in dates. The findings suggest that early contact between indigenous people and Europeans may have occurred later than previously thought.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 7, 2018

Graphic warnings snuff out cigarettes' appeal to kids

A new study from Cornell University suggests that graphic warning labels on cigarette ads have a significant anti-smoking effect on children and young adults. The research found that these warnings can cancel out the appeal of smoking as cool and fun, reducing the influence of social cues in advertising.

SourceCornell University·JournalHealth Education Research·DateDec 7, 2018

Odd bodies, rapid spins keep cosmic rings close

Research finds that gravity and unique shapes of small objects in our solar system create and maintain their own rings. Astronomers discovered that rings around Chariklo and Haumea are confined by the object's irregularities, contradicting previous assumptions about moon-dominated ring systems.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateNov 19, 2018

For arid, Mars-like desert, rain brings death

A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that heavy rainfall in the Atacama Desert wiped out most microbe species, contradicting expectations of floral blooms. The research has implications for our understanding of microbial life on Mars and suggests that sudden water exposure can be lethal to microorganisms.

SourceCornell University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 14, 2018

Thanks, statistics! A faster way to improve mobile apps

A new text-mining method developed by Cornell statistician Shawn Mankad and his colleagues can help developers improve mobile apps faster. By aggregating and parsing customer reviews in one step, the method provides guidance on a single app's performance and compares it to competing apps over time.

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Annals of Applied Statistics·DateNov 12, 2018

Discovery: Rare three-species hybrid warbler

Scientists have identified a rare three-species hybrid warbler found in Pennsylvania, resulting from a Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warbler mother and a Chestnut-sided Warbler father. Genetic analysis revealed the unique combination of traits, shedding light on bird's adaptability and genetic diversity.

SourceCornell University·JournalBiology Letters·DateNov 7, 2018

New tool gives deeper understanding of glioblastoma

Researchers have developed a new tool to study genetic switches in glioblastoma tumors, which drive cancer growth and survival. The new technique uses ChRO-seq data to classify tumors into subtypes based on active switches, with potential applications in predicting patient outcomes and developing new therapies.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 22, 2018

'Turbocharging' photosynthesis in corn hikes yield

Researchers from Cornell University and the Boyce Thompson Institute found a way to overexpress a key chaperone enzyme called RuBisCO Assembly Factor 1 to increase RuBisCO content in corn. This discovery has the potential to improve photosynthetic efficiency, leading to increased biomass production and reduced environmental footprint.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Plants·DateOct 1, 2018

Silver fox study reveals genetic clues to social behavior

A new Cornell University-led study has identified genes that were altered in tame animals in two areas of the brain involved with learning and memory. Genes impacting serotonergic and glutaminergic neurons, important for learning and memory, were clearly affected by selection toward tameness.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 27, 2018

Device to corral viable sperm may speed IVF process

A microfluidic device created by Cornell University scientists can corral viable sperm in minutes, improving IVF chances. The device uses rheotaxis to separate highly motile sperm from weaker ones, reducing the time-consuming and tedious process of conventional methods.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 10, 2018

Does neuroscience hold the key to understanding the criminal mind?

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that individuals with higher criminal tendencies prefer to gamble, even if they know it increases risk. The researchers used fMRI to show increased activation in brain areas involved in cognitive analysis and reasoning for those with higher criminal tendencies.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateSep 5, 2018

A kernel of promise in popcorn-powered robots

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a novel substance that can be used to power inexpensive robotic devices, enabling them to grip, expand or change rigidity. The study's findings suggest that popcorn could be used to create miniature jumping robots and edible devices for medical procedures.