Active Learning Initiative funds nine projects

Innovative projects to enhance undergraduate teaching and learning in nine departments have received funding administered by Cornell’s Active Learning Initiative.

To conserve energy, AI clears up cloudy forecasts

A machine learning model trained with years’ worth of forecast and weather data predicts the accuracy of the weather forecast – the basis of a system that can reduce buildings’ energy usage by up to 10 percent.

People admit they trust news stories that contradict their views – for a price

Researchers at Cornell Tech found that people are far more likely to say they believe news stories that align with their own political views no matter what outlet they’re from. But when offered a cash bonus for accuracy, participants were more likely to trust the news stories that countered their views.

Good vibrations: New display shows Earth’s quakes, quivers

An LED display on the first floor of Snee Hall offers a modern way to monitor all of Earth’s quakes and continental gurgles – in real time.

Fight or flight: Serotonin neurons prompt brain to make the right call

Known for its role in relieving depression, the neurochemical serotonin may help the brain execute instant, appropriate behaviors in emergency situations, according to a new Cornell study Feb. 1 in Science.

‘Deep tech’ innovations require industry partnerships

Creating new opportunities for industry partnerships and increasing engagement with the world beyond the lab could help researchers make a broader impact and meet grand challenges, said speakers at the “Deep Tech Eats Social Media for Lunch” panel, held Jan. 28 in the Upson Hall lounge.

Study: AI may mask racial disparities in credit, lending

A method intended to evaluate racial disparities in lending decisions can yield very different results depending on tiny changes in how it guesses applicants’ races, according to a new Cornell-led study.

Charting a ‘map’ for determining negative thermal expansion

Negative thermal expansion, or NTE, is a rare but important phenomenon, and Cornell researchers have developed a better “map” for finding NTE in materials.

Students develop augmented reality software to help those with hearing loss

Two Cornell Tech master’s students have developed a prototype for augmented reality headsets to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing navigate one-on-one conversations.