Roald Hoffmann highlights the overlooked scientific achievements of his wife, Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze Lavoisier, and her husband Antoine Lavoisier. The collection at Cornell University provides insight into their lives and work.
Researchers studying small farms in Kenya found that restoring natural resources can improve agricultural productivity, particularly in villages with high soil degradation. By adopting more fertilizers and other inputs, farmers in a second village showed better economic outcomes.
Agricultural ecologist David Pimentel warns of unimaginable malnutrition and human misery by 2054 if current trends continue. The world's growing population is putting pressure on resources like cropland, fresh water, and energy, threatening food production.
A new study by Cornell University's Liam O'Neill found that distance from a hospital significantly impacts access to medical facilities and outcome for heart attack victims. The study estimates that patients living far from hospitals face a higher risk of death from heart attacks, with approximately 60% expiring before reaching the hos...
A study by Cornell University found that farm-raised salmon in Europe contained higher levels of organic contaminants than those from North America and South America. The analysis revealed 13 out of 14 organochlorine contaminants were present in farmed salmon, highlighting the need for safer farming practices.
The new network will provide access to leading-edge fabrication and characterization tools, enable educational outreach to K-12 students, and examine the societal and ethical implications of nanotechnology. NSF funding is expected to be $70-million or higher for five years.
Dr. Squyres and over 40 team members will undergo a sleep study to adapt to Mars' 24-hour day/night cycle during the two-rover mission. The team will work six-sol weeks with varying weekend lengths, aiming to mitigate 'Martian jet lag'.
A massive gene-comparison project found evidence of positive selection in genes involved in the sense of smell, digestion, long-bone growth, hairiness, and hearing. The analysis also suggested that humans may have an advantage in understanding speech due to genetic differences in hearing genes.
A massive gene-comparison project found evidence of positive selection in genes involved in olfaction, smell perception, and hearing. This suggests that lifestyle changes, such as the shift from a plant-based diet to meat-eating, drove the evolution of unique human traits.
Scientists at Cornell University discovered a key player in plant immunity, the salicylic acid-binding protein 2 (SABP2) gene, which enables plants to fight off diseases by inducing programmed cell death. This finding offers new strategies for boosting natural defenses and reducing pesticide use.
A recent study found that IQ tests taken at different times can result in vastly different diagnoses, with potential consequences for life or death sentences. The 'Flynn effect' causes IQ scores to rise over time, making it essential to reset the test every 15-20 years.
Researchers at Cornell University are developing tiny automated sensors that can map disaster areas, detect biohazards, and report back in real-time. The sensors use biosensors to detect toxins and bacteria, communicate using low-power radio signals, and self-configure using game theory.
Climate changes impact North Atlantic right whales by affecting zooplankton abundance, a crucial food source. Warmer conditions in the Gulf of Maine boost copepod populations, leading to improved reproductive success.
Researchers at Cornell University found that cocoa contains nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times those found in green tea. The high content of phenolic phytochemicals, or flavonoids, is responsible for this superior antioxidant activity.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a playable nanoguitar that demonstrates the potential of tiny devices vibrating at extremely high frequencies. The device, made up of silicon strings, can produce audible tones when hit with a laser beam, offering a new approach to electronic circuit design.
Researchers found that male flesh flies radically move their heads while chasing females, but don't necessarily use the high-definition parts of their compound eyes. This unique visual guidance system could help engineers develop better detection systems for aircraft and artillery.
The Cornell Institute for Fuel Cell Development aims to create more efficient and affordable fuel cells by discovering new materials, potentially using alternative fuels like methanol and ethanol. Researchers hope to find compounds that can overcome the limitations of current fuel cell technology.
A study of 32 nursing homes in New York and Connecticut aims to determine the effectiveness of specially trained retention specialists in reducing CNA turnover rates. The researchers will assess the impact on job satisfaction, intention to quit, and commitment to the institution.
Female wolf spiders exhibit social recognition and memory, favoring familiar male phenotypes for mating. This behavior is linked to their experience during the pre-adult stage, with cannibalization rates among unfamiliar males being higher.
A newly discovered bacterium, Polaromonas naphthalenivorans strain CJ2, has been found to break down naphthalene and other toxins in coal tar contamination. The discovery was made using a new technique called stable isotopic probing (SIP), which allowed researchers to identify the microbe's DNA signature.
Researchers use multiphoton microscopy to watch cell membranes reshaping themselves into two-dimensional liquid phases, or 'rafts', and find that thermal energies influence membrane geometries. The study provides new insights into the functions of cell membranes and their importance to human health.
Researchers found that fruit odors play a crucial role in the evolution of a new species among hawthorn maggots. A specific blend of apple and hawthorn volatiles triggers a strong preference for host-plant identification, making it difficult for flies to interbreed. This discovery opens up possibilities for organic pest control methods.
A mathematical model developed by Cornell University engineers quantifies language death and offers strategies to preserve endangered languages. The model attributes the decline of languages to competition for speakers, with higher-status languages like English dominating in multilingual societies.
The Cornell researchers successfully developed a new technique to create ultra-small diameter fibers from cellulose using electrospinning. These nanofibers have potential applications in air filtration, protective clothing, agricultural nanotechnology and biodegradable nanocomposites.
A Cornell University researcher found that awareness and knowledge of golden rice among Filipino farming community leaders is almost nonexistent. Vitamin A deficiency affects over 100 million children worldwide, leading to preventable blindness and high mortality rates.
A recent poll found that New Yorkers are divided on the use of biotechnology in food and agriculture, with 39% opposed to its use. The study also revealed demographic differences among those who support or oppose biotechnology, with opponents being more likely to be female, liberal, and younger.
Researchers at Cornell University have confirmed a theory about how a protein complex known as FACT helps cells read their genetic code. By studying the activation of a heat-shock gene in fruit fly cells, they found that FACT and other proteins quickly move to chromosomal sites where transcription occurs.
The sequencing of Pseudomonas syringae genome will help scientists understand how bacteria adapt to host organisms, enabling the development of new therapies. The genome also reveals commonalities between plant and animal pathogens.
Deer facilitate seed dispersal to native plants in recovering habitats, but also spread invasive species like multiflora rose. White-tailed deer transport seeds up to two miles through their pellets, contributing to plant migration.
A new study by Cornell University professor David Levitsky found that college freshmen gain an average of 4.2 pounds in their first 12 weeks, with breakfast and lunch at all-you-can-eat dining facilities accounting for 20% of the weight gain. The study suggests that this phenomenon may be contributing to the rise in obesity among Ameri...
A Cornell University study reveals that Pavlovian sexual conditioning, a process where external cues trigger anticipation of mating, significantly improves reproductive success in Japanese quail. The researchers found that breeding animals in familiar environments led to twice as many fertilized eggs compared to unfamiliar ones.
In a laboratory experiment using rotifers and algae in chemostats, rapid evolution allowed prey to adapt and outnumber their predators. This phenomenon, predicted by computer models, demonstrates how evolution can play a crucial role in ecological dynamics and could have implications for understanding diseases like HIV.
Researchers use unzipping force analysis of protein association (UFAPA) to study protein-DNA interactions, predicting applications in genomic sequencing and drug development.
A Cornell University study found city-grown air pollution, particularly ozone, hinders rural tree growth. Contrary to expectations, city trees outperformed their country counterparts in terms of biomass.
A study of 978 heterosexual residents found that physical attractiveness is not a primary factor in long-term relationships, while fidelity and good parenting qualities are highly valued. The researchers suggest that humans have evolved to play a sophisticated mating game, with similar characteristics being preferred in partners.
A Cornell University expert argues that 8 million childhood deaths worldwide are preventable due to malnutrition. Malnutrition interacts with diseases like measles and pneumonia, increasing the risk of death by up to 12 times. The solution lies in making healthcare more equitable and accessible, despite funding issues.
Children who consumed more than 12 ounces of sweetened drinks gained significantly more weight than those who drank less, due to increased caloric intake. The study also found that sweetened drinks displaced milk consumption, leading to lower calcium and zinc intake.
A study by Cornell University found that smoke-free regulations in New York restaurants and hotels did not harm employment or sales. In fact, the regulations led to a statistically significant increase in taxable sales and overall payrolls.
A new Web-based calculator will warn public health officials when and where mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus thrive or die, based on climate data. The system will help track mosquito populations' development and aging, which is crucial for predicting outbreaks.
A new imaging technique, using second harmonic generation microscopy, allows for the observation of microtubule polarity in living brain tissue. This enables researchers to study neuronal development and repair, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Researchers demonstrate noninvasive microscopy scans producing images of diseased tissue at the cellular level, rivaling traditional histopathology methods. The technique uses natural fluorescence and multiphoton microscopy to enable optical biopsies on living animals or humans without surgical intervention.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a new approach to using quantum dots for biological studies of living animals, achieving high-resolution three-dimensional images inside living tissue. The technique, known as multiphoton microscopy with quantum-dot imaging, outperforms conventional methods by 1,000 times in brightness and re...
Engineers studied the impacts of 9/11 on the World Trade Center, discovering factors that minimized infrastructure disruption. The study highlighted the importance of wireless communication, compartmentalized electrical systems, and heroic actions by utility workers.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that listeriosis cases are more likely to occur in clusters, which can help identify the source of contamination. This new understanding has the potential to prevent outbreaks and save lives.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a gene that codes for an enzyme producing nitric oxide, a hormone triggering plant's defense against pathogens. The discovery provides new insights into the biochemical and genetic pathways enabling plants to protect themselves from disease.
A study by Sean Brady reveals that army ants originated from the same source on Gondwana 100 million years ago, instead of evolving independently on separate continents. The ants' unique characteristics, including nomadic behavior and reproductive adaptation, have remained unchanged over time.
The Cornell center will focus on high-energy density plasmas, developing diagnostic devices and studying extreme conditions such as plasma jets and X-pinch point imaging sources. The research aims to create hot, dense plasmas that can produce neutrons associated with nuclear fusion.
The Cornell laboratory will be a national center for calculating earthquake effects on structures, including soil deformation and seismic damage. The facility will use customized testing structures and actuators to apply displacements and loads, enabling researchers to study the behavior of structures during earthquakes.
A study published in Environment and Behavior found that rural children living in homes with more nature exhibits lower levels of psychological distress. The researchers also discovered that the benefits of exposure to natural environments are not limited, even in rural settings with abundant green landscapes.
A study by Cornell University scientists found that children suffer intellectual impairment at blood-lead concentrations as low as 10 mcg/dl, even below the current CDC acceptable limit of 25 mcg/dl. The amount of impairment was most pronounced at lower levels, with a decline in IQ scores of up to 7 points.