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Cornell University


Incentives for US farmers reduce water waste

A report by Cornell University's David Pimentel and his students highlights the need to conserve water in US agriculture. The study found that irrigation practices can require up to three times more fossil energy than rain-fed crops, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management.

SourceCornell University·JournalBioScience·DateOct 20, 2004

Internet data-mining of natural history

The four-year project aims to produce new techniques for analyzing spatio-temporal data, making it accessible to researchers, conservation biologists, educators, and citizens. The grant will integrate machine learning and modeling techniques with existing ornithology projects, increasing the power and scope of data tools.

Terrorist warnings boost Bush's approval ratings

A Cornell University study found that terrorist warnings increased presidential approval ratings and support for Bush's handling of the economy. The study's findings are consistent with social identity theory and terror management theory, suggesting a 'halo effect' where threats increase in-group identification and nationalism.

SourceCornell University·JournalCurrent Research in Ecological and Social Psychology·DateOct 4, 2004

Carbon nanotube oscillator might weigh a single atom

Researchers at Cornell University have created a tiny oscillator that uses a carbon nanotube to vibrate at radio frequencies, enabling mass sensing and gas detection capabilities. The device is so small that it can potentially weigh individual atoms, offering new possibilities for scientific research and applications.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateSep 15, 2004

New way to make nanoscale circuits is discovered

Cornell University researchers have discovered a method to precisely control the electronic properties of complex oxide materials at the atomic level, replacing silicon insulators. The technique involves removing oxygen atoms from thin films to create vacancies, which act as electron-donating dopants and can be controlled with high pre...

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateAug 23, 2004

Why obese mothers abandon breastfeeding

Research found that obese women have a lower prolactin response to suckling, compromising milk production. This leads to a significantly shorter period of breastfeeding. The study suggests that obesity affects breast-feeding success, with overweight mothers being 2.5 to 3.6 times less successful than non-overweight mothers.

SourceCornell University·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJul 22, 2004

Listeria can persist in stores and processing plants

A study by Cornell University researchers found Listeria bacteria on foods in 47 out of 50 retail food stores, with 34% showing persistent strains after re-inspection. The bacteria were also found in seven food-processing plants, highlighting the need for improved control measures to prevent food contamination.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Food Protection·DateJul 15, 2004

Hormone replacement therapy should start early

A Cornell University-Stanford University meta-analysis of 30 clinical trials found that women starting HRT within two years of menopause had a lower total mortality risk. The study also showed significant reductions in hip fractures and recurrent urinary tract infections, but no change in breast cancer deaths.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJul 13, 2004

Microscopy scans show how brain cells process energy

A laser-based microscopy technique has confirmed and redefined the controversial 'astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle' hypothesis for brain energy metabolism. The study reveals that neurons and astrocytes interact to burn oxygen and glucose, with astrocytes providing lactate fuel after glucose is converted from the bloodstream.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateJul 1, 2004

Asthma drugs pose respiratory, cardiac dangers

A meta-analysis of 33 trials found that continuous use of asthma drugs increases airway inflammation and decreases bronchodilator response, while also posing cardiac risks for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. The studies suggested that pharmaceutical company sponsorship may be a factor in the conflicting results.

SourceCornell University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 17, 2004

Enzyme containing selenium may promote type 2 diabetes

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that overexpressing a selenium-containing enzyme in mice led to insulin resistance and obesity. The researchers suggest that antioxidants, like selenium, may be harmful by neutralizing free radicals necessary for insulin signaling.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 2004

Challenges facing a changing rural America

The book Challenges for Rural America in the 21st Century examines rural social change, economic transformation, and policy implications. Key findings include unevenly spread gaming benefits, elder care challenges, and the need for rural communities to adapt to a decentralized system.

New word for on-the-job health problem: 'presenteeism'

Researchers at Cornell University Institute for Health and Productivity Studies estimate that presenteeism costs companies up to 60% of total worker illness expenses. Common conditions such as allergies, headaches, and mental health problems incur significant on-the-job productivity losses.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateApr 20, 2004

Computer modeling fibrillation in the canine heart

A team of researchers from Cornell University and Gene Network Sciences Inc. has developed a 3D computer model of the canine heart to simulate ventricular fibrillation. The model aims to help understand the causes of this life-threatening condition, currently treated with electrical shocks that can damage the heart.

Scars of 9/11 linger with NYC firefighters

A recent study by Cornell University found that NYC firefighters experience high levels of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after the 9/11 attacks. The study also highlights the importance of open communication, teamwork, and employee involvement in decision-making to improve firefighter well-being.

$300,000 USAID grant to boost India agriculture economy

Cornell University has been awarded a $300,000 USAID grant to implement two development programs in India. The Agriculture in Developing Nations course will be taught at Cornell and partner institutions in India, sensitizing students and policymakers on how to improve productivity and competitiveness in agriculture. For executives, the...

Study on sub-millimeter telescope on Chile mountain

Cornell University and Caltech researchers will develop the world's most sensitive sub-millimeter telescope in the Atacama Desert, capable of probing star formation during galaxy formation. The telescope's high sensitivity will enable studies of large-scale universe structure and hidden planets in circumstellar disks.

Nutrition education helps stretch meager food budgets

A study published in Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal found that nutrition education participants who completed six or more lessons experienced significantly less food insecurity compared to those who dropped out early. The program improved skills such as budgeting, comparing prices, and shopping with a grocery list among ...

SourceCornell University·JournalFamily and Consumer Sciences Research Journal·DateMar 3, 2004

World's first databank for all living systems

The Bridging the Rift Center will house the world's first databank of information about all living systems, gathering genetic sequences, ecological data, and global positioning information to quantify and characterize life. This groundbreaking facility aims to advance our understanding of coevolution, ecology, and DNA relationships.

New method for converting nitrogen to ammonia

A team of Cornell University researchers has successfully converted nitrogen to ammonia in a laboratory setting, molecule by molecule, using a zirconium metal complex. The process achieves complete fixation at lower temperatures than existing industrial methods, which require high pressures.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateFeb 18, 2004

Optically recording millisecond brain nerve impulses

Biophysicists at Cornell University have developed a new technique to optically record millisecond-by-millisecond signaling through nerve cells. The method combines multiphoton microscopy with specially developed dyes and second-harmonic generation, allowing for high-resolution images of brain nerve impulses. This breakthrough could he...