The next time a buzzing bug dodges the swipe of your swatter, consider that these household pests are among nature's most acrobatic and well-adapted flying machines. Using high-speed cameras and computer models, Cornell researchers have shown exactly how fruit flies maneuver through the air, and how they keep stable even when a whoosh of wind knocks them off course.

Led by Jane Wang, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Itai Cohen, assistant professor of physics; and John Guckenheimer, professor of mathematics, the researchers invented a method to measure the subtle flapping wing motions that drive in-flight turning maneuvers. They found that flies use a mechanism familiar to anyone who has rowed a boat: Their wings slice through the air as they flap one way, and then push off the air as they sweep back. By pushing harder with one wing than the other, the insects can do a U-turn in 0.1 seconds -- fast enough to avoid the swatter.

What if we didn't just pinch someone because they forgot to wear green? Forgetting to eat your green fruits and vegetables is much more worthy of a "friendly" reminder pinch! The special compounds (phytochemicals) found in green fruits and vegetables help protect against certain cancers and help maintain vision health and strong bones and teeth.

Cruciferous Vegetables
Some green vegetables are classified as cruciferous vegetables. Examples include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, greens like collard and mustard, watercress, and bok choy. Cruciferous vegetables are unique from other vegetables because they have a high amount of glucosinolates which give these vegetables their familiar spicy or bitter taste.

The spicy or bitter taste of cruciferous vegetables can become overwhelming and even unpalatable if the proper cooking technique isn’t used. To be sure you prepare these good-for-you vegetables in a tasty and nutritious way, don’t overcook. Cook tender cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts just until their green color is brightened (before it turns to army green). Good techniques include sautéing, roasting, and steaming.

Click to find more information about healthy green vegetables and some delicious St. Patrick's Day recipes.

March 15-19, 2010 is designated as Flood Awareness Week in New York State. 

With all the snow we’ve had recently, the warmer temperatures and expected heavy rainfall in certain areas, this is a good time to check out information about flooding.  It is important to be aware of warnings, prepare for the possiblities in your area, and know how to react in the event you are affected by minor or major flooding.

The State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) provides information about flood awareness: http://www.semo.state.ny.us/uploads/2010_Flood_Awareness.pdf

The NY EDEN website also provides links to information on preparing for and recovering from floods:  http://emergencypreparedness.cce.cornell.edu/disasters/Pages/Floods.aspx

According to Ellen Abend, NY EDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network) coordinator, the FDA is issuing a major recall of many different pre-packaged foods due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria.  The foods in question contain the flavoring Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), which is provided by Basic Food Flavors, Inc.  Unfortunately, HVP is not listed on package contents; therefore, it will be important to check the FDA recall list to remain current on the foods being recalled.

You can find this list at:  http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/HVPCP/

Thirty top wildlife scientists - including five from Cornell - have announced agreement on some of the highest research priorities to help America's rapidly growing wind energy industry produce much-needed alternative energy while also providing safe passage for birds and bats.

This coalition of scientists from industry, government, nongovernmental organizations and universities met in the summer of 2009 in Racine, Wisc., to address unanswered questions about how continued wind energy development will affect migrating birds and bats. The meeting was hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the American Bird Conservancy and the Johnson Foundation at Wingspread.

Chocolate by Fariello’s Confectionary, Cheeses by Palatine Valley Dairy, and Pies by Smith’s Orchards: all of these local products are available for order through March 7. All orders must arrive with payment in our Johnstown Cooperative Extension office no later than March 9^th. Checks may be made payable to Cornell Cooperative Extension. 

A product description and order sheet can be downloaded from the box on the homepage. 

Proceeds from this sale go directly to 4-H youth activity support: recognition awards, dairy and horse bowl programs, youth delegates to 4-H Capital Days in Albany, 4-H Career Explorations award trips, youth delegates to 4-H Agri-Business Career Conference, gas to transport youth to 4-H Teen Winter Weekend, 4-H Animal Crackers and NYS dairy judging events.

Please share an order sheet with your colleagues, neighbors, friends, and please order these great local products as generously as you can. Product pick up is set for March 25th at the Fonda Fairground. All products must be picked up that day.

Planning some conservation landscaping, planting a windbreak or reforesting an area on your property? Here’s an opportunity for you.

The Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District is offering quality evergreen, deciduous tree, flowering shrub, Berry bush, fruit tree seedlings and transplants for sale. Plants are bare root seedlings and transplants that will provide homeowners with an economical source of materials for conservation landscaping, windbreaks, and reforestation.

According to a press release from the Montgomery County Business Development Center, the Montgomery County Census Complete County Committee is peased to announce the 2010 Census Pep Rally to be held at Fulton-Montgomery Community College on Friday, March 5th, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

With 2010 Census questionnaires expected to begin arriving in the mail during mid-March, this event is to highlight the importance of a complete count. Special guest speakers will include Congressman Paul Tonko, Assemblyman George Amedore, Monica M. Arias, Co-Chair, Capital Region Hispanic Complete County Committee and Janice Young, U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Specialist.

Sliding down a snow-covered hill is a lot of fun for children and adults alike. This can be an excellent outdoor activity for the whole family. But, without proper safety practices, injuries can happen. Paramedics attend too many tobogganing injuries; and many of those injuries have been as serious as severe head injuries and broken backs. Tobogganing is fun, but teach your children to do it safely.

It’s time to get involved in the 4-H Incubation and Embryology project, an enjoyable, hands-on learning experience! 

Chicken eggs take three weeks to hatch into chicks during which time your students will learn how chicks develop, the science of embryology and much more. You can create excitement about learning life science with this amazing process unfolding in your classroom.