The sound of a word tells us something about how it is used, Cornell study shows

A new Cornell study describes a series of linguistic experiments showing that the sounds (phonology) of a word can indicate whether it is a noun or a verb. An article on the subject will appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Joel Porte, leading authority on the works of Emerson, dies at 72

Internationally renowned scholar of American literature and Emerson specialist Joel Porte died June 1 at age 72. (June 30, 2006)

Child soldiers coerced into military conflicts are barrier to peace process, two Cornell researchers assert

As long as children continue to be coerced into militias, peace talks in those countries to settle armed conflicts are unlikely, assert two Cornell University researchers. (June 9, 2006)

How 10,000 bees decide where to go when they fly the coop -- decision-making to rival any department committee

When 10,000 honeybees fly the coop to hunt for a new home, usually a tree cavity, they have a unique method of deciding which site is right: With great efficiency they narrow down the options and minimize bad decisions.

Chris Barrett takes a collaborative approach to the world's poorest people

Chris Barrett's economic development research takes him into the most poverty-stricken areas of rural Africa, the halls of Washington, D.C., and back to Cornell University, where he collaborates with biophysical and social scientists on innovative ways to improve the lives of some of the poorest people on Earth.

Bad judgments about people can affect memories of them, Cornell study finds

Viewing a person as dishonest or immoral can distort memory, a Cornell study suggests. So much so, that when we attempt to recall that person's behavior, it seems to be worse than it really was.

Free speech or religious offense? Panel ponders difficult questions raised by Danish cartoons

If a Danish newspaper doesn't have the freedom to publish cartoons depicting Muhammad, should the TV cartoon show "South Park" also not be free to satirize Mormons? That was the question posed by Michael Shapiro, associate professor of communication at Cornell, in a panel discussion Feb. 21.

No Child Left Behind Act can improve schools, Cornell professor asserts in new book

In the new book 'The No Child Left Behind Legislation: Educational Research and Federal Funding,' Cornell Professor Valerie Reyna asserts that new mandates for scientifically based educational programs will improve education, and other experts challenge her. (December 22, 2005)

In 'Six Degrees of Reputation' Cornell authors track plagiarism and abuse of online reviewing systems

Positive bias in online consumer reviews has become almost standard industry practice, but plagiarizing user reviews and passing them off as authentic is another animal altogether, says a new Cornell study that has been tracking that other animal. (December 12, 2005)