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NIH Grant to Promote Scientific Social Networking
November 4th, 2009The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a $12.2 million grant to Cornell and six other institutions to develop a social networking site that will connect biomedical researchers across the country. Think Facebook, but rather than updating your profile with your “Halloween 2009!” photo album and relationship status, you would post research interests, current projects and your latest journal publications. Read More
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The Scientist: Ramon Mira de Orduña
November 4th, 2009Number 38 on the list of 161 things to do during your undergraduate career at Cornell: Go on a wine tour. A prime tourist activity of the Finger Lakes, wine and winemaking is a process has been perfected over the years, culminating in a myriad of colors, textures and flavors that can appease any palette. Ramon Mira de Orduña, viticulture and enology, studies the microbiological aspect of winemaking and how it can improve the winemaking process in light of environmental change. Read More
Prof’s Book Blurs Boundaries Between Sciences
November 4th, 2009Cornell biology majors are required to fulfill many requirements outside of standard biology, from organic chemistry to physics. However, according to Prof. Randy Wayne, plant biology, that is not enough. Students of many majors do not understand the underlying processes that tie these subjects together, Wayne said. That is why his book Plant Cell Biology — From Astronomy to Zoology aims to combine aspects of biology, chemistry and physics to the study without defining boundaries. His book is for, as he says, “People who want to understand who they are and their relationship to the world, and how to learn techniques to discover that without making divisions.” Read More
Author Exposes Reptile Smuggling Syndicates
November 4th, 2009The reality of Bryan Christy’s life may be stranger than fiction. This reptile boy turned lawyer turned journalist turned author presented a reading from his debut book, The Lizard King: The True Crimes and Passions of the World’s Greatest Reptile Smugglers, to a crowd of fans and curious Cornellians last Tuesday in Uris Auditorium. Christy discussed the peculiarities of his life, his research and the illegal business of reptile smuggling. According to Christy, The Lizard King is the product of two passions: reptiles and writing. “When I was a boy in South Jersey, what I cared about was reptiles,” he stated. “On my street, if you had a snake, you were king.” Read More
Archived Stories
Profs Promote Autism Outreach
November 4th, 2009The word “autismus”, which once described the symptoms of schizophrenia, was coined in 1910 by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, who may have referred to modern day autism without even realizing it. Today, scientists certainly know more about autism than they did 100 years ago, but the demand for further research remains high. Organizations throughout central New York have been working persistently on research regarding the disease for years. With a recent lecture “Autism in Central New York: Research and Practice” and a new study being conducted, Cornell University has become a welcome addition to the group. Read More
The Science Behind Caffeine
October 28th, 2009With a Starbucks in Collegetown and the locally beloved Collegetown Bagels down the street, it isn’t surprising that every day thousands of Cornellians give in to temptation and order a delicious, steaming cup of Joe. Many of them have been told that the caffeine in coffee is unhealthy, and that it may lead to high blood pressure. But how much truth is there to those accusations directed at this seemingly innocent drink? What really is the science behind caffeine? Read More
The Science Behind Stress
October 28th, 2009You’re walking with a friend on a trail beside the gorge and you see a stick spread across the path. You recoil, thinking it’s a snake, but your friend stays calm. Why do two people react differently to the same stimulus? Read More
The Science Behind Beer
October 28th, 2009Wow! Bro, I don’t want to kill your buzz, or anything, but you got to hear this. I just found out how beer is made! Read More
The Science Behind The Gorges
October 28th, 2009As a selling point on school tours, a staple in every pre-frosh publication, and a popular spot during Ithaca’s few warm months, the gorges are a major part of Cornell culture. While “Ithaca is gorges” t-shirts are seen by the dozens daily, many students are unaware of how these beautiful waterfalls came to be. Read More
The Science Behind Memory
October 28th, 2009If only memorizing material for a prelim, recalling where you left your keys, or remembering the name of last night’s date were easier. There are certainly ways to help improve one’s memory. Memory is simply the mental ability to store, retain or recall information, and understanding the way it works is key to making it sharper. Read More