Science
Archived Stories
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
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 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 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 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
The Science Behind Hybrid Vehicles
October 28th, 2009In a world where both climate predictions and gas prices seem increasingly volatile, many hope for greater fuel mileage and reduced greenhouse gas emissions through the use of “hybrid car” technology. Read More
The Science Behind Social Networking
October 28th, 2009Few are immune to the trend. It brings you closer to fifth-grade friends, peers and even parents, for better or worse. Xanga, MySpace, Friendster, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook — what is the science that makes social networking such a staple of 21st century life? Read More
The Science Behind Procrastination
October 28th, 2009Vincent T. Foss once said, “One of the greatest labor-saving inventions of today is tomorrow.” Too many of us college students know this to be true. Saving our work until the last minute, we frantically rush to submit our work minutes before it is due. Read More