Turning penicillin into a lethal force against bacteria again

A new study reveals for the first time the metabolic changes that allow bacteria to survive high doses of penicillin, a classic β-lactam antibiotic. The study also uncovered a weakness in how the bacteria survive, which may help scientists find better ways to fight antibiotic tolerance in the future. 

Around Cornell

Unusual tumor cells may be overlooked factors in advanced breast cancer

A circulating tumor cell called a dual-positive cell is associated with shorter survival time in patients with advanced breast cancer.

AI assistants can sway writers’ attitudes, even when they’re watching for bias

Cornell Tech researchers found that writers who used biased AI auto-suggestions saw their views gravitate toward the AI’s positions without their realizing it — even when they were made aware of the biased AI.

Nutrition policy scholar Marion Nestle to speak March 19

Food policy expert Marion Nestle, a professor emerita at New York University, will give a talk, “Food Politics in the Trump Era: The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans,” on March 19 in Schurman Hall.

One flu virus can hamper the immune response to another

Prior exposure to one strain of influenza virus may weaken children’s ability to mount an effective antibody response against subsequent exposure to a different flu strain.

Cornell Atkinson: Financing the future of agriculture

Cornell Atkinson and a host of partners are addressing challenges in finance and insurance to support farmers, now and in the future.

Around Cornell

Testing large language models on scientific literature

Cornell physicists and Google researchers engaged a panel of 12 human experts to test the ability of six LLM systems to understand scientific literature at the level of a specialist.

Distant past may expose companies to claims of hypocrisy

Companies risk being criticized as hypocritical when their words and deeds don’t match – even if those discrepancies are decades apart.

Sap chiller to improve quality of life for maple producers

A new low-cost, do-it-yourself method allows maple syrup producers to cool and hold sap before boiling, giving greater flexibility and preventing all-nighters.