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Cornell University


Interfacing organic semiconductors to metal

The Cornell team will study the chemistry of inorganic-organic interfaces and develop fabrication methods to overcome difficulties in connecting wires to organic transistors. Their goal is to produce testable devices with useful properties, tackling challenging problems in molecular-based electronics.

Brain tumor therapy needs longer treatment time

Cornell researchers have found that a longer infusion time of boronophenylalanine is needed to effectively target cancer cells in brain tumors. The new finding has the potential to improve the success of boron neutron capture therapy, which has shown moderate success in treating tumors but struggles with aggressive cell clusters.

SourceCornell University·JournalRadiation Research·DateAug 1, 2002

Bacterial quorum-sensing structure solved

Researchers at Cornell University and Argonne National Laboratory have solved the structure of a key bacterial quorum-sensing protein, which could lead to new treatments for biofilm-related diseases. The discovery may also enable the design of targeted therapies to prevent harmful bacteria from forming biofilms.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJun 26, 2002

NY Regents standards inadvertently increasing dropouts

The survey found that in half of the state's school districts, students are opting for a General Equivalency Development (GED) certification instead of passing Regents courses. This trend is serving as a pressure release on the system, with students enrolled in GED programs being reported as transfers and not high school dropouts.

New method for 'visualizing' proteins

A new technique uses ESR to measure distances between atoms in proteins, revealing the overall structure of a molecule. This method is particularly useful for studying larger protein assemblies and membrane-embedded proteins, which are challenging to study using traditional methods.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 19, 2002

Dog 'model' for studying inherited human blindness

Researchers have discovered genetic mutations in dogs that mirror the genetic mutations of humans with inherited blindness, providing new insights into photoreceptor cell degeneration. The study has potential implications for treating both canine and human retinal diseases, including progressive retinitis pigmentosa.

SourceCornell University·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateMay 7, 2002

Disorder forces DNA molecules out of tight spaces

DNA molecules are pulled into a dense array of pillars by an electric field and then recoil back into the open space due to entropic forces. The researchers estimate the minimum entropic force at 5.7 femtoNewtons, suggesting this method could be used to separate molecules by length.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 2, 2002

Mastiffs could aid treatment of retinitis pigmentosa

Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation in English mastiffs that causes retinal dysfunction and degeneration, mirroring human dominant retinitis pigmentosa. The study aims to find treatments and cures for inherited forms of blindness in humans by testing therapies first in dogs.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 29, 2002

Cooking tomatoes boosts disease-fighting power

Research at Cornell University found that cooking tomatoes enhances nutritional value by increasing lycopene content, a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C levels decrease with heat, but antioxidants in cooked tomatoes increase, potentially reducing chronic disease risk.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateApr 19, 2002

Flexible ceramic material is a 'plumber's nightmare'

Researchers at Cornell University have created a flexible ceramic material with a cubic bicontinuous structure, which conforms to century-old mathematical predictions. The material has properties that are not just the sum of polymers and ceramic, but something new, offering promise for efficient battery electrolytes and fuel cells.

Ergonomic changes help musculoskeletal problems

A Cornell University study found that workers using proper ergonomic products and trained in their use experience a significant decline in musculoskeletal problems. The study, which involved coordinating ergonomic interventions with training, showed improvements in nearly half of the participants.

Optical tweezers show how DNA uncoils

Using optical tweezers, researchers have observed the dynamic structure of individual nucleosomes for the first time. They found that DNA in these units can be released from histones through a three-stage process, allowing enzymes like RNA polymerase to access genetic information.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 4, 2002

X-ray camera images fuel injection in action

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a novel X-ray camera capable of capturing microsecond images of events hidden to optical cameras. The camera successfully imaged shock waves generated by high-pressure fuel sprays, providing new insights into the distribution and atomization of diesel fuel.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateMar 4, 2002

NSF grant to grow methane-producing microbes in lab

Researchers at Cornell University are growing methanogens and other microbes in a laboratory using conditions similar to acidic wetlands. The goal is to understand how these microorganisms function and potentially apply this knowledge to bioengineering, such as bioremediation of contaminated sites or controlled methane production.

Canis Majoris has sand and whiskers in its eyes

Researchers using the European Space Agency's Infrared Space Observatory have found that VY Canis Majoris' smoky shroud consists of tiny particles made up of iron whiskers and amorphous silicates. The study provides new insights into the star's massive outflow, which is driven by intense pressure from its light output.

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 10, 2002

Archaeologists rewrite timeline of Bronze and Iron Ages

Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Reading have given a new kind of precision to the timeline of the Bronze and Iron Ages in the Aegean and Near East. The study, published in Science, dates certain artifacts from around 740 B.C., placing an early appearance of the alphabet outside Phoenicia at this time.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateDec 19, 2001