Science

Peer Review: Autonomous Engineering Teams

Tajwar Mazhar  —  Apr 13, 2010

This Peer Review examines three project teams from the engineering program, each striving to construct an autonomous, independent robot.  By land, by air, and by sea, the robots of this Peer Review display the deligent efforts of dedicated, undergraduate teams.

Ironclad Cosmic Rays

Brendan Hammond  —  Apr 13, 2010

Despite regular connations of cosmic "rays," new research by Prof. Peter L. Biermann from the Max Plank Institute for Radio Astronomy suggests that the super-powerful cosmic rays in the universe are actually composed of iron.

Greenhouse Gas & Dairy

Zachary Mason  —  Apr 7, 2010

The symbiotic relationship between livestock and the microbes in their stomachs generates methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas.  Dairy farms modify the diets and digestion of livestock in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas.

Cancer Inflames Medical Research

Maria Minsker  —  Apr 7, 2010

On Friday, Prof. Moonsoo Jin, biomedical engineering, lectured about his medical research.  He found evidence that inflammation may be used to diagnosis cancer at early stages, and he believes that removing inflammation in patients may prevent cancer progression.

The True Life of an Aggressive Lobster

A. Drew Muscente  —  Apr 7, 2010

On Monday, Dr. Diane Cowan of The Lobster Conservancy presented her research on lobster behavior. Her research studies the mating habits of New England lobsters, and traces their movements as they migrate along the eastern coast.

The Scientist: Cole Gilbert

Tajwar Mazhar  —  Mar 31, 2010

Around this time of year, as the weather gets warmer, Prof. Cole Gilbert, entomology, challenges the students in his department to bring him the first live tiger beetle of the season. The hunt for this metallic, green predator with six white spots is not just a scavenger hunt for the entomology students.

What's Black and White and Red All Over?

Tajwar Mazhar  —  Mar 31, 2010

Although extinct for 65 million years, dinosaurs find themselves deeply imbedded in popular culture. Dinosaurs project strong imagery, along the lines of a Jurassic Park chase scene. Audiences rarely think of dinosaurs with bright feathers.

Students Get Food for Thought

Katerina Athanasiou  —  Mar 31, 2010

On March 18, Prof. Marion Nestle, nutrition, food science and public health, New York University, visited Cornell.  She spoke at the Cornell Center for Public Affairs Colloquium. Her talk, entitled “The Food Revolution: Implications for Public Policy,” addressed different issues, including food security, marketing, obesity and the food revolution. 

Ethics of Factory Farms

Katerina Athanasiou  —  Mar 31, 2010

From Food, Inc. to Michael Pollan’s novels, in recent years, the public at large has criticized agriculture.  Often, the public portrays farmers as villains. Busy farmers frequently remain unheard in the media. Recently, ABC ran a special with the headline, “Got Milk? Got Ethics? Animal Rights v. U.S. Dairy Industry.”

The Scientist: Robert Gravani

Daina Ringus  —  Mar 16, 2010

When you buy strawberries at the grocery store, do you think about the last person who touched them? As a food safety expert, Prof. Robert Gravani, food science, does.

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