Tree rings track atmospheric mercury cheaply

Wild fig tree rings offer a cheap method for tracking toxic atmospheric mercury, a byproduct of gold mining in the Global South.

Nice flex: AI-powered smart clothing logs posture, exercises

Researchers at Cornell have developed a new type of smart clothing that can track a person’s posture and exercise routine but looks, wears – and washes – just like a regular shirt.

Study of democracy’s decline offers roadmap for fighting back

The study of pathways to democratic backsliding provides clear examples of the risks currently posed to the U.S. system of government.

Dataset reveals how Reddit communities are adapting to AI

According to the research, the number of subreddits with AI rules more than doubled in 16 months, from July 2023 to November 2024.

Reprogramming gut cells to treat short bowel syndrome

Knocking out a single gene reprograms part of the large intestine to function like the nutrient-absorbing small intestine; Weill Cornell investigators showed that this reversed the malnutrition that results when most of the small intestine is removed.

Quantum statistical approach quiets big, noisy data

A team with Cornell statisticians has develop a way to handle and simplify large data sets more efficiently than traditional methods, for when big data gets too big.

Around Cornell

Hitting the target: Imaging reveals psilocybin’s neural odyssey

Cornell researchers have identified a pair of key neurological mechanisms in the brain – a cell type and receptor – that enable the psychedelic compound’s long-lasting effects.

Omega-6 fatty acid promotes growth of aggressive type of breast cancer

Linoleic acid enhances the growth of the hard-to-treat “triple negative” breast cancer subtype.

Biblical scholar: Parables in Luke parallel Genesis stories

In his new book, Calum MacNeill Carmichael draws detailed parallels between the 14 parables unique to Luke’s gospel and Genesis stories about figures such as Jacob and Esau.