Cornell researchers have solved a fundamental question about DNA strand separation by demonstrating the active role of an enzyme called helicase. The study found that helicase exerts a force onto the fork and separates the two strands, contradicting earlier passive unwinding mechanisms.
Scientists from leading institutions worldwide issue a statement highlighting the critical importance of synthetic biology, citing its potential to solve eco-safe energy issues, outbreaks of malaria, and more. The Ilulissat Statement emphasizes the need for an international effort to advance research while developing protective measures.
Researchers discovered that African electric fish engage in 'electric duets' during aquatic courtship, using specific signals and motor displays. The study provides insight into the electrical and behavioral patterns of mating in these fish.
A Cornell University research project has found that on-farm trials have shown farmers can successfully reduce fertilizer applications without impacting yield and quality. By monitoring soil nitrogen levels, corn growers can optimize their application rates, resulting in cost savings of up to $10-$12 per acre.
Cornell researchers partner with Gene Network Sciences to create computer models of Dehalococcoides ethenogenes, a key player in cleaning toxic waste. The team aims to improve conditions for the bacteria, which sometimes struggle at cleanup sites.
A community intervention campaign in Herkimer County increased comfort with breastfeeding in public, from 54% to 69% among men and 35% to 46% among women. The project aims to reduce obesity risk in infants through improved cultural acceptance of breastfeeding.
Cornell researchers identified a dozen triterpenoids in apple peel with potent anti-proliferative activities against human liver, colon, and breast cancer cells. The compounds may be responsible for the anti-cancer properties of whole apples.
Cornell researchers identified a genetic mutation in orange cauliflower that allows it to hold more beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. This finding may lead to more nutritious staple crops by increasing their ability to store beta-carotene.
A recent study by Cornell University found that most US call centers are operated within the United States, not in India or other overseas locations. The report also highlights high staff turnover rates and costs, as well as the importance of collective representation in managing call centers.
A new study reveals how a fungus uses its circadian clock to control carotenoid production, protecting against sun damage. The discovery may also shed light on the regulation of human sleep cycles.
The viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) has been identified in 19 species and poses a potential threat to New York's sport-fishing industry. Containing the spread of the virus requires restrictions on live fish movement, testing, and surveillance.
Scientists on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover mission found evidence of long-past explosive volcanic activity at Home Plate, a plateau in Gusev Crater. The data collected by the rover supports earlier findings that water once existed at or beneath the planet's surface.
A new Cornell study found that people who experienced traumas, such as being close to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, have brains that are more reactive to emotional stimuli, increasing their risk of developing mental disorders like PTSD and depression.
Researchers have found strong evidence that Mercury's core is molten, a discovery that could explain the planet's weak magnetic field. The study used a novel technique to detect tiny twists in Mercury's spin, which occurred as the sun's gravity exerted alternating torques on the planet.
Research found that prenatal toxicity is associated with immunological damage leading to chronic diseases such as asthma, cancer, and autoimmunity. The study identified several substances, including herbal and fungal chemicals, that may help restore inflammatory cell regulation.
Corn-based ethanol faces environmental and economic challenges, prompting scientists to explore cellulose as an alternative. Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a class of plant enzymes that can improve the efficiency of cellulose degradation, potentially making biofuel production more cost-effective.
Researchers have identified a key gene, PUB8, that regulates the expression of SRK and SCR genes, crucial for self-incompatibility in plants like Arabidopsis. This finding may enable the development of hybrid seeds and improve crop yields.
A new study from Cornell University finds that adolescents exposed to chronic risk factors experience stress-induced physiological strain, but with responsive mothers, this toll is significantly reduced. The study also reveals that cardiovascular systems of youths are compromised regardless of their mothers' responsiveness.
Researchers analyzed the macaque genome to identify genes that have evolved in humans compared to other primates, finding significant changes in hair and immune system genes. The study also identified genetic variations on the X chromosome, providing insights into human evolution and disease gene identification.
Researchers created microscopic 'nanolamps' using electrospinning, a technique that produces extremely small fibers made of ruthenium and polyethylene oxide. The fibers emit orange light when excited by low voltage, making them useful for applications in sensing, microscopy, and flat-panel displays.
Researchers identified a dominant gene mutation in Dmc1 that causes male infertility in mice. The study provides insights into the genetic causes of infertility in humans and suggests potential applications for fertility treatments.
A Cornell University study found that graduate students ate 27% less chicken wings when they could see leftover bones accumulating on their table, compared to tables where food was cleared. The study suggests using environmental cues like empty glasses or bottles to curb overeating and overdrinking at social gatherings.
A study published in Science found a mutation in the IGF1 gene that affects body-size differences among dog breeds and may also play a key role in determining human body size. The researchers analyzed DNA from over 3,000 dogs of different breeds to identify genes linked to size variations.
Cornell researchers have found a simple solution to measuring nanoscale vibrations by tapping with an atomic force microscope (AFM), allowing for the detection and identification of bacteria, viruses, and other organic molecules. The new method uses probes similar to those in AFMs to measure vibrations in nanomechanical oscillators.
A Cornell researcher is working on a quick and affordable immune system test for people in the developing world. The test aims to help HIV/AIDS sufferers get proper treatment, potentially extending their lives by 10-15 years.
Cornell astronomers have confirmed that solar radiation and an asteroid's shape determine its rotation rate, a phenomenon known as the Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack Effect. This effect can help explain the formation of binary asteroids by creating strong centrifugal forces.
A new study at Cornell University has imaged 'electronic gridlock' in certain copper oxides, revealing patterns of alternating high- and low-charge density. The research uses a scanning tunneling microscope to image electronic states, showing that holes are centered on oxygen atoms within the Cu-O-Cu bond.
Computer simulations reveal that freshwater fish play a crucial role in recycling nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Overfishing could lead to declines in nutrient cycling, highlighting the importance of conserving key species.
Researchers have successfully targeted the blood vessels that feed tumors, providing a new approach to treating cancer. The study used an antibody called J591 that selectively targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) on tumors and not healthy tissues.
Researchers mapped neurons in zebrafish spinal cords to understand how they control movement speed, revealing a surprising pattern that regulates slow and fast movements. The study opens a door to basic understanding of spinal cord architecture and function.
Climate change is altering North Atlantic ecosystems by freshening seawater and curbing deepening of surface mixed layers. This shift affects phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, leading to changes in seasonal cycles.
A Cornell graduate student has created a graphene resonator, a single sheet of carbon atoms just one atom thick that can be used to weigh tiny masses or measure pressure. The material is also stiff and ultrathin, making it suitable for other experiments that require a thin and light membrane.
Cornell researchers are developing a new genetic-based test to detect the deadly viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) in fish. The new technique, which can identify the virus in 24 hours, is set to be validated by the end of 2007 and could become the standard test for detecting this disease.
Researchers can now observe oscillating atoms in an excited bismuth crystal using high-energy X-ray free-electron lasers, revealing new insights into atomic activity. The development of linear accelerator-based X-ray sources holds promise for studying sub-picosecond science and its potential applications in chemistry and biology.
A recent study found that men systematically overestimated their height and women more commonly underestimated their weight on online dating profiles. The researchers also discovered that a higher percentage of participants lied about their weight, with almost two thirds being incorrect by 5 pounds or more.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that sad people tend to overeat comfort foods, but those with nutritional information curtail their consumption. In contrast, happy individuals already avoid excessive eating and are not influenced by nutrition labels.
The Cornell-led International Tomato Sequencing Project will sequence the tomato genome and create a comprehensive database of genomic sequences, enabling researchers to study crop development and domestication. The project, funded by $1.8 million from the NSF, aims to tie together maps and genomes of all plants in the Solanaceae family.
The US shortnose sturgeon population has increased by over 400 percent in the Hudson River since the 1970s, marking a rare recovery of an endangered species. The study suggests that protection and conservation efforts can lead to successful recoveries, even in areas with high human activity.
Researchers using Arecibo Telescope discovered never-before-seen radio emission spectra from the Crab Nebula pulsar. The findings suggest an unknown magnetic pole, contradicting existing theories and challenging our understanding of pulsars.
A study by Cornell and US Military Academy researchers found that waste and drinking water treatments, including UV radiation and bacterial digesters, can eliminate avian flu viruses. H5N2, a low-pathogenic virus similar to deadly H5N1, was inactivated at levels within industry standards.
A new study by Cornell professor Brian Wansink found that people make over 200 food-related decisions each day, largely driven by mindless autopilot. By changing the environment to work for them, individuals can reduce their eating habits and make healthier choices.
A Cornell study found that first-born children in two-child families receive about 20-30 minutes more quality time per day with a parent than their younger siblings. This leads to an aggregate difference of around 3,000 hours between the times spent with each child across different ages.
A Cornell study found that chelation therapy can reduce learning and behavioral problems caused by lead exposure in young rats. However, the treatment also showed lasting adverse effects in rats with no lead exposure, raising concerns about its use in autistic children.
Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a panel of 23 protein biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid that can identify patients living with Alzheimer's disease. The biomarkers, known as a 'fingerprint,' were validated through autopsy-proven tests and showed high sensitivity and accuracy.
A Cornell study finds that people, especially those who are overweight, consume up to 50% more calories when eating low-fat versions of snack foods compared to regular versions. Larger serving sizes on low-fat snacks may help reduce overeating.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that teens ponder risks longer than adults, leading to a higher likelihood of engaging in high-risk behaviors. The findings suggest that interventions should focus on developing 'gist-based' thinking to avoid dangers rather than weighing pros and cons.
A Cornell-built robot learns its own model of itself and can revise the model to adapt to injury, a process resembling human and animal babies discovering their bodies. The underlying algorithm could be applied to build more complex robots and allow them to adapt to changes in environment and repair themselves.
High-temperature superconductors exhibit a 'pseudogap' when electrons are bound together, but the new study reveals the same cloverleaf-shaped energy gap appears in both non-superconducting and superconducting states. This finding may provide a key to understanding the superconducting phenomenon.
Researchers identified two genes from different fruit fly species that interfere with each other, preventing male offspring production. This finding supports the Dobzhansky-Muller model, which suggests hybrid incompatibilities are caused by diverged genes from a common ancestor.
Two studies on bee evolution support a new hypothesis that bees originated in Africa over 100 million years ago. The discovery of an ancient bee fossil in amber provides strong evidence for this theory.