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Cornell University


Carbon fibers make tiny, cheap video displays

Researchers at Cornell University have developed microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) using carbon fibers, which can bend and vibrate billions of times without breaking. The new display technology has the potential to be incredibly cheap and small enough to be built into cell phones.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Micromechanics and Microengineering·DateAug 22, 2006

Making hair realistic in computer animation

A new method for rendering realistic hair in computer animation has been developed by Cornell researchers, allowing for more accurate simulations of light scattering and diffusion. This breakthrough reduces computation time by 87.5%, enabling the creation of more realistic blond and light-colored hairstyles.

Electric fish in Africa could be example of evolution in action

Researchers have discovered electric fish in Africa with the same DNA but different electric signals and appearances, sparking hope that they are on the verge of forming two separate species. The findings provide a rare example of sympatric speciation, where animals from the same geographic location diverge into distinct groups.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJun 1, 2006

Researchers discover how bacteria sense their environments

Researchers at Cornell University have discovered how bacteria sense their environments through a cooperative lattice of receptors on the surface of bacterial cells. This sensitivity allows bacteria to detect even slight changes in nutrient concentration, enabling them to respond to stimuli such as pollutants or explosives.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJun 1, 2006

Acid rain causing decline in sugar maples, say researchers

A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that acid rain is causing a decline in sugar maple trees due to its acidic effects on the soil. The study used a test plot to replicate favorable soil conditions prior to industrial pollution and found that sugar maples rebounded dramatically when calcium levels were restored.

SourceCornell University·JournalEcology·DateJun 1, 2006

Value of services performed by insects tops $57 billion in US

Native insects provide valuable services worth $50 billion in recreation industry, $4.5 billion in pest control, $3 billion in crop pollination, and conserving grazing lands valued at $380 million annually. Insects are crucial for human survival, and their ecological functions need to be conserved or enhanced through research investment.

SourceCornell University·JournalBioScience·DateApr 1, 2006

From biological imaging to Sudoku solutions

A new algorithm, developed by Cornell University researchers, can reconstruct detailed images of small specimens from raw data using X-ray diffraction microscopy. The algorithm also solves the internationally popular puzzle Sudoku, appealing to its creator's 'whimsical side'.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2006