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Cornell University


College reduces odds for marriage among disadvantaged

A Cornell University study reveals that attending college lowers marriage chances for those from low-income backgrounds, but increases chances for those in higher social strata. Social and cultural factors, not just income, play a central role in marriage decisions, according to the research.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateJan 31, 2012

Colorful plates boost a picky eater's appetite

A new study published in Acta Paediatrica found that children prefer colorful food plates with multiple items and figurative designs, while adults tend to prefer simpler arrangements. The study suggests that adding color to meals can make nutritionally diverse foods more appealing to picky eaters.

SourceCornell University·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateJan 5, 2012

Pythons and people take turns as predators and prey

In a study co-authored by Cornell University researcher Harry Greene, men are attacked by giant pythons but also target them for food, competing for the same local deer, wild pigs, and monkeys. The complex relationships between humans and snakes highlight broader patterns of predation and competition in the natural world.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 14, 2011

As climate change sets in, plants and bees keep pace

Research by Cornell University and Rutgers University found that bees and flowering plants are keeping pace with climate change, arriving earlier in the spring. This shift has been observed since 1970, when warming temperatures accelerated most rapidly, according to the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 12, 2011

New test can precisely pinpoint food pathogens

A new genomic approach developed by Cornell University scientists enables precise identification of food-borne bacteria, facilitating the detection of outbreaks and their sources. This breakthrough method has the potential to uncover smaller outbreaks that may have gone unnoticed previously.

SourceCornell University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateOct 25, 2011

Breaching the blood-brain barrier

Researchers found that adenosine can modulate the entry of large molecules into the brain, establishing a gateway into the blood-brain barrier. They successfully transported large dextrans and antibodies into the brain using an FDA-approved drug, Lexiscan.

When a man's female partner becomes too buddy-buddy with his pals, his sex life may suffer

A study by Cornell University researchers reveals that men whose partners have stronger relationships with their closest friends are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction and difficulty achieving orgasm during sex. This phenomenon, known as partner betweenness, undermines traditional masculine values of autonomy and privacy.

SourceCornell University·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateAug 8, 2011

Wired for sound: A small fish's brain illustrates how people and other vertebrates produce sounds

A study of midshipman fish has identified two distinct groups of neurons controlling sound duration and frequency for social communication. The research provides a simplified wiring diagram for understanding how the brain allows vertebrates to produce sounds, revealing an ancestrally shared brain area that originated in fishes.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 14, 2011

Choices -- not discrimination -- determine success for women scientists, Cornell researchers say

A study by Cornell University social scientists suggests that differences in resources and career choices rather than sex discrimination limit women's representation in STEM fields. The researchers found no systematic evidence of sex discrimination in hiring, funding, or evaluation when men and women had similar resources.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2011

Graphene grains make atom-thick patchwork 'quilts'

Researchers imaged graphene grain boundaries using diffraction imaging electron microscopy, revealing that impurities are responsible for fluctuating electrical conductivity. Larger grains do not improve conductivity as previously thought, highlighting the importance of controlling impurities in graphene growth.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 2011

Not-so-confidential confidantes

Researchers found that as few as three co-located images at different times and places can predict high probability of two people being socially connected. This study uses Flickr data to demonstrate the power of online data in revealing social ties, with implications for online privacy.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2010

Robotic gripper runs on coffee ... and balloons

Researchers created a universal gripper using ground coffee and a latex party balloon, which conforms to objects rather than being designed for specific ones. The gripper works by pressing down on the object with the balloon and then releasing it, allowing for seamless grip and release.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 25, 2010