A new smartphone device employing advanced camera technology can now accurately read a user's cholesterol level in under a minute. The Smartphone Cholesterol Application for Rapid Diagnostics, or smartCARD, uses color analysis to discern results from a drop of blood, sweat or saliva.
A new Cornell University study found that nutrition report cards sent to parents can encourage healthy eating habits in their children. The pilot program showed that students selected fruits and vegetables more frequently, and flavored milk less often, after receiving the reports.
A recent study has found that great white sharks have more similar proteins to humans than zebrafish, which challenges current understanding of their evolution. This discovery opens up new avenues for studying shark metabolism and biochemistry, potentially revealing insights into the biology of mammals as well.
A new Cornell University study reveals that consumers are willing to pay more for products labeled as 'free of' certain ingredients. When provided with more information about the risks associated with those ingredients, consumers become even more confident in their purchasing decisions and value the product more.
Graduate student Yash Lodha and Justin Moore describe geometric solution for von Neumann-Day problem, a centuries-old challenge in group theory. The solution involves a finite set of nine rules and has been hailed as natural and compelling enough to study for its own sake.
The researchers modified a Baxter robot to learn from humans and make adjustments while an action is in progress. The robot can associate different trajectories with each type of object and generalize its learning.
A new study from Cornell University proposes that clay hydrogel could have confined and protected chemical processes that formed proteins, DNA, and eventually living cells. Researchers demonstrated protein synthesis in a clay hydrogel, which enhances protein production and offers a promising possibility for producing large quantities o...
The decoded kiwifruit genome shows significant genetic similarities with other plant species like potatoes and tomatoes, highlighting two major evolutionary events that occurred millions of years ago. The study provides valuable resources for kiwifruit research and breeding programs to improve fruit quality and disease resistance.
A Cornell professor outlines a path to achieving a European standard of living for the world's population, driven by growth in renewable energy sources. The proposed solution requires significant energy production, with a focus on nuclear power, to meet the 'Grand Challenge' of global prosperity.
A study by Cornell researchers found that schools using debit card payment systems serve lower nutrition and higher calorie meals, as students tend to overspend. This can lead to a greater intake of unhealthy food items like candy, cheeseburgers, and fries.
Researchers at Cornell University and Universidad Industrial de Santander developed a cheap process to remove toxic textile dyes from water using natural fibers embedded with nanoparticles. The method, tested on various pollutants, shows promise as a low-cost filtering unit prototype.
A study conducted on Chicago trains found that individuals with a sense of purpose in life are less affected by negative moods triggered by diversity. Those who had written about their life aims or had a strong sense of purpose did not experience worsened mood, unlike those without a clear direction.
Researchers at Cornell University captured high-resolution images of oscillating water drops, revealing 30 shapes and behaviors. The study's findings could improve inkjet printing resolution and inform applications in microfluidics and NASA research.
Researchers developed a computer algorithm that can infer the rules of complex systems by analyzing intermittent samples. By looking at relative changes in population updates, they uncovered an invariant geometry that relates to the hidden reactions driving the system.
A new Cornell University study found US intelligence agents exhibit larger biases in decision making and are more confident than college students. The results suggest that experience can enhance performance but also lead to predictable pitfalls in risky decision-making.
The world's seed banks hold a vast wealth of genetic material that could help feed the future. A massive genetic sequencing effort and broad phenotyping initiative are proposed to characterize the resources needed to meet growing food demands. The estimated cost is about $200 million annually.
A Cornell University study provides evidence for the 40-year-old hypothesis that regulation of genes must play an important role in evolution. The researchers found that transcription factor binding sites show considerable amounts of positive selection, suggesting adaptation in these regulatory elements.
A cross-cultural study by Cornell University development psychologists found that American kids are more willing to acknowledge personal freedom from social obligations compared to Nepalese children. By age 10, American kids tend to view these obligations as choices that can be followed or disregarded based on personal desires.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that women view sexually permissive peers more negatively than chaste women, even if they personally have liberal attitudes about casual sex. In contrast, men's perceptions are more dependent on their own promiscuity, with less promiscuous men favoring less experienced men as friends.
A novel songbird disease has rapidly evolved to become more harmful to its host in just two decades, according to a new study. The research found that the disease became more virulent in both regions studied, with birds exposed to later disease strains developing more swollen eyes that took longer to heal.
A Cornell robot has been programmed to anticipate human actions, enabling it to step in and offer a helping hand. The robot uses a Microsoft Kinect camera and a database of 3D videos to identify activities and predict future actions.
A new study from Cornell University found that increasing gym class time reduces youth obesity probability by 4.8 percentage points. The study suggests PE is more beneficial for boys than girls, who may substitute increased PE with TV watching.
A new study reveals that the Devonian clam fauna experienced fluctuations in species abundance, but its ecological stability remained intact. The research suggests that factors like predation pressure and food web dynamics played a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem's stability.
A Cornell University study reveals that nearly a third of Facebook users deactivate their accounts, and one in 10 completely quit the platform. Participants cited reasons such as concerns about privacy, productivity issues, and shallow social interactions as motivations for leaving.
A research team at Cornell University developed an algorithm that enables virtual creatures to evolve and learn to walk. The creatures' squishy, muscle-like features adapt through generations of evolution, creating counterintuitive designs that surpass human-engineered robots.
A new Cornell study finds that humans use simplifying rules to manage social information, recalling ties with kinship labels twice as well as those without. The research helps explain why humans can maintain vast social networks, unlike other primates.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new X-ray imaging technique that visualizes damage in bone at the cellular level. The technique uses high-energy hard X-rays to produce images of microdamage in sheep bone with unprecedented resolution.
A novel stem cell niche for the ovarian surface epithelium has been identified, where ovarian carcinoma preferentially originates. This discovery provides a new guide for scientists to look for stem cell niches and sources of cancer in other transitional zones.
Researchers at Cornell University found that brain activity patterns in the medial prefrontal cortex can accurately identify an individual's thought process about a person. This unique ability allows us to anticipate behavior and navigate social interactions with greater ease.
Bioengineered ears created by Cornell researchers use 3D printing and injectable gels made of living cells to resemble natural ears. The flexible ears can grow cartilage over a three-month period, providing a potential solution for reconstructive surgeons.
A new study by Cornell University researchers offers a spatial solution to boost nurses' efficiency through better design. The research analyzed floor plans and work patterns in five medical-surgical units at US hospitals and found opportunities to improve caregiver workflow.
Researchers discovered that evolution produces modules due to their few and short network connections, which are costly to build and maintain. This finding will help evolve artificial intelligence, enabling robot brains to acquire animal-like grace and cunning.
A new 'scarecrow' gene has been found that controls a unique leaf structure, leading to more efficient photosynthesis. This discovery could lead to new varieties of staple crops with significantly higher yields through genetic engineering.
A new study by Cornell University sociologist Sharon Sassler found that cohabiting women tend to take on a disproportionate share of household chores, even when the women work and the men don't. Despite expecting more equal partnerships, most women retain accountability for the performance of their partners' chores.
Breast cancer cells use pro-inflammatory signaling molecules to adhere to blood vessel surfaces, promoting metastasis. The Cornell researchers found that these cells are unable to interact with selectins, a key step in the process, and that inflammatory molecules enable them to adhere.
A Cornell University computer model predicts chikungunya outbreaks in NYC during August-September 2013, Atlanta from June-September, and year-round in Miami. The virus is transmitted by Asian tiger mosquitoes, which are rising in numbers due to climate change.
A new DNA hydrogel created by Cornell researchers exhibits unique properties, flowing like a liquid but returning to its original shape when placed in water. The material has potential applications in drug delivery and tissue rebuilding, with the ability to be formed into desired shapes.
A recent study predicts a sharp spike in computer-related injuries among medical workers due to poor office layouts and improper use of computer devices. The most commonly reported repetitive strain injuries were neck, shoulder, and upper and lower back pain, affecting nearly half of the female doctors and over 40% of male doctors.
The international consortium has published the watermelon genome sequence, revealing a loss of natural disease defenses during domestication. Breeders can now use this information to recover some of these natural defenses, potentially leading to more nutritious and resistant watermelons.
A Cornell University study challenges the long-held hierarchical structure of sentence construction, proposing instead that language uses simpler sequential structures. This concept has implications for understanding human communication abilities and their relationship to other species.
Using 3D time-lapse imaging, scientists have discovered that plant roots twist and buckle to generate force and push through barriers, allowing them to grow in difficult soil conditions. The study sheds new light on the mechanics of root growth and reveals a previously unknown connection between root geometry and force generation.
A new study by Cornell University finds that employed mothers spend three-and-half fewer hours per day on children's diet and exercise compared to stay-at-home mothers. Meanwhile, working fathers devote just 13 minutes daily to such activities.
Researchers at Cornell University used a new technology to measure pupillary changes in response to erotic videos, revealing that pupils widened most for people who found the videos attractive. The study confirms previous research suggesting women have a different type of sexuality than men and provides insight into male bisexuality.
A new bird species, the Sira Barbet, has been discovered in Peru's cloud forest with distinct color patterns and unique genetic characteristics. The team used mitochondrial DNA sequences to confirm its status as a new species within the barbet family.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that same molecular changes confer resistance in multiple insect species across four orders, suggesting a high level of evolutionary repeatability
Researchers at Cornell University have decoded a gene that contributes to tomato sugar, carbohydrates, and carotenoid levels. The uniform ripening mutation, which commercial breeders select for, eliminates photosynthesis in fruit, reducing sugar levels.
Melting Arctic sea ice can trigger domino effects leading to severe winter weather outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere. This phenomenon is associated with a weakening of the polar vortex and jet stream, allowing cold Arctic air masses to invade lower latitudes.
The tomato genome sequence provides detailed information about its genes and chromosomes, enabling researchers to improve crop yields and quality. The full genome sequence allows for faster and less expensive sequencing of other varieties, with potential applications in improving taste, nutritional content and disease resistance.
A Cornell University study found that the perceived benefits of family meals on teen well-being may not be as strong or lasting when controlled for other aspects of the family environment. Family resources and relationships are key factors in facilitating regular family dinners.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that genetic factors explain some variation in people's political attitudes and economic decisions. However, the effects of individual genetic variants are tiny and scattered across the genome, making it difficult to predict economic and political preferences.