President Bush appoints Arden Bement as the new NSF director, bringing nearly 40 years of industry, government, and academic experience. As NSF director, Bement will oversee $5.47 billion in annual funding for fundamental research and education across various fields.
The U.S. National Science Foundation commemorates Charles Byrd's groundbreaking 1929 flight, opening the South Pole to scientific research. Today, NSF maintains three year-round stations in Antarctica, including one at the geographic South Pole.
Researchers have developed a transistor that fuses carbon nanotubes with polymers to create a capnography sensor detecting subtle changes in CO2 concentrations. This technology may provide a new tool for emergency responders to monitor patients' respiratory patterns and verify breathing tube placement.
Dolphin brains are significantly larger than expected for their body size, with some species having brain sizes comparable to those of modern humans. This study suggests that cetaceans may possess cognitive abilities similar to those of great apes, challenging traditional views of human exceptionalism.
The new NSF report reveals that Latin American countries have made significant strides in publishing science and engineering articles. From 1988-2001, Brazil's output quadrupled and Mexico's more than tripled, while Argentina and Chile produced the most scientific articles per capita. The region's growing influence is reflected in the ...
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced seven new Institute Partnerships: Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century, investing over $31 million to improve math and science education. The programs will provide courses and experiences for teachers to deepen their content knowledge and become leaders in their fields.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded the first nanoscale center for learning and teaching, which aims to integrate nanotechnology into existing curricula in grades 7-12. The center will produce modular education materials, expand professional development programs for teachers, and research educational strategies.
The NSF has launched three Science of Learning Centers to study the foundations of learning across various situations, from cellular to complex processes engaging different brain areas. The centers will support interdisciplinary research and develop new methods for improving human learning and developing intelligent machines.
A US National Science Foundation study has improved forecasts for Midwest thunderstorms, bow echoes, and tornadoes. The Bow Echo and MCV Experiment found that smaller bow echoes are often the highest risk for tornadoes, contradicting the long-held assumption that size equals strength.
The NSF has awarded over $130 million to 120 new projects tackling various topics including interactive ocean observatories, stress corrosion cracking, and secure access to confidential social science data. The funding aims to advance science and engineering, economic prosperity, and national security.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $21.7 million to 37 projects investigating human behavior, social dynamics, and communication. These interdisciplinary studies aim to promote breakthroughs in knowledge about crucial issues affecting the social sciences.
Scientists found that removing long-term solar cycles from global climate models takes away about a tenth of a degree Celsius of early 20th century warming, suggesting other influences may play a greater role than the Sun's. The study adds to the puzzle of understanding complex relationships between the Sun and climate.
Researchers find evidence of early human stone tools and bone marrow extraction at Majuangou site, suggesting strong connections to African hominins and rapid spread across Asia. The discovery pushes the known timeline of human presence in Northeast Asia by approximately 340,000 years.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $9.7 million to the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center to install a Red Storm system from Cray, Inc., capable of approximately 10 teraflops. The system will enable researchers to explore high-performance computing capabilities and demonstrate its potential for various scientific applications.
A new system uses fuzzy logic to automatically detect room acoustics and speaker placement, providing each listener with their own personalized
The NSF-funded research centers will investigate decision-making strategies for addressing climate uncertainty, including water management and policy implications. The projects will integrate psychological insights with social sciences to develop tools for better understanding the impacts of climate change.
The NSF and AAAS announced the winners of the 2004 Visualization contest, which spanned research fields from viral medicine to Earth science. The top entries were selected in categories such as photography, illustration, graphics, interactive media, and non-interactive media.
The NSF's Cyber Trust program awards funding for two new centers: the Center for Internet Epidemiology and Defenses and the STIM Center. The former focuses on understanding internet vulnerabilities to prevent malware outbreaks, while the latter explores network interactions to create effective defenses against cyberattacks.
The National Science Foundation has awarded 22 new projects for plant genome research, exploring the role of genetics in plant development, metal tolerance, and disease susceptibility. These projects will also develop genomic tools for crops such as loblolly pine and cotton.
Researchers have deciphered the three-dimensional structure of a plant enzyme that produces resveratrol, a key component of red wine with impressive health benefits. The study provides new insights into the relationships among plant proteins, shedding light on how grapes produce resveratrol to defend against fungal invasion.
The NSF announces six FIBR awards to tackle some of biology's most challenging questions. The projects will study the relationship between an organism's genes and the outside world, as well as animal movement, social behavior, and photosynthesis.
Researchers developed control methods for self-reconfigurable robots that can change shape and perform different tasks without falling apart. The methods ensure guaranteed correct behavior, enabling robots to adapt to various environments and tasks.
The National Science Foundation has funded six projects under its Ecology of Infectious Diseases program to understand the ecological and biological mechanisms behind relationships between human-induced environmental changes and infectious disease emergence. The research will focus on understanding disease transmission, unintended heal...
A new study by the U.S. National Science Foundation highlights the vital importance of streamside forests in maintaining clean water and healthy ecosystems. The research, funded jointly by NSF and EPA, shows that these forests help filter pollutants from streams, enhance ecosystem processes, and support biodiversity.
Researchers at Yale University have successfully created an artificial molecule on a chip, shrinking experimental apparatus to a tiny size. The achievement improves coupling between resonator and atom by a factor of 1000, paving the way for exploring fundamental interactions of light and matter.
Researchers analyzed and compared the genomes of 30 microorganisms, finding that two ancient prokaryotes combined their genomes to form the first eukaryote. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary pathways of life, suggesting a 'ring of life' where eukaryotes originated from bacterial and extreme-microbe ancestors.
Researchers studied fossil whales and found significant changes in their ear anatomy, which enabled them to transition from a land-based to a marine-based existence. The new sound transmission system allowed modern cetaceans to locate prey using echolocation, making it crucial for survival.
Researchers analyzed rock samples to determine when and how quickly rivers cut through rock, revealing a rate much faster than previously thought. Climate changes during the last ice age prompted the rapid incision of gorges along both rivers approximately 35,000 years ago.
The global survey found that about half of anthropogenic CO2 is taken up by the upper 10% of the ocean. Rising CO2 levels may alter marine food webs and diversity, threatening calcifying organisms.
Researchers have developed spiraling glass fibers that impart a chiral character to light by polarizing photons. These fibers can be used as sensors for pressure, temperature, torque, and chemical composition, while also enabling the manipulation of polarized light in various applications.
A new percolation model allows researchers to study cell signaling and track the movement of single atoms in complex pathways. This breakthrough enables fundamental chemical reactions to be observed at the molecular level in living cells.
The NSF Discovery Corps fellowship program aims to connect researchers with host organizations, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and skill-sharing. The pilot project will provide funding for six fellowships focused on various projects, including promoting STEM careers among undergraduates.
The Wearable Low Vision Aid (WLVA) is a portable system that uses an infrared camera and head-mounted display to warn users of potential hazards. The device projects a warning icon onto the user's retina using an illuminated, vibrating crystal, alerting them to obstacles such as branches or trash cans.
The US National Science Foundation has named eight distinguished teaching scholars, recognized for their innovative approaches to education. The scholars were awarded $300,000 grants over four years to work on new projects or continue existing work that benefits students and the scientific community.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores to reconstruct climate over the last 5 million years, finding a gradual transition from warmer Pliocene to cooler Pleistocene climates. The climate system became more sensitive to small perturbations, leading to dramatic swings in climate patterns.
A computer model reveals that rainfall in New Mexico's mountains can recharge the Rio Grande River's water table after a 50-year lag. This finding has significant implications for sustainable aquifer management and river management planning.
A new study confirms long-held theories that CWD can be transmitted through indirect means, including contaminated environments. The research suggests that environmental sources of infection may contribute to CWD epidemics, potentially altering management strategies for the disease.
Researchers have detailed the workings of a key enzyme in tuberculosis bacteria's cell walls, which could lead to the development of new antibiotics. By understanding how this enzyme works, scientists can design inhibitors specific to it, potentially creating new treatments for TB and leprosy.
The President's Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring recognize institutions and individuals who promote diversity and inclusion in STEM education. This year, 62 institutions and 78 individuals were recognized for their innovative approaches to mentoring, including comprehensive programs and community...
End-user programmers, estimated at 55 million by 2005, create nontrivial bugs nearly half of the time. Researchers from U.S. National Science Foundation develop new techniques and tools to aid debugging, focusing on 'negotiated' interruptions and novel environments that ask questions about code behavior.
The US National Science Foundation's S&E Indicators 2004 report shows significant variation in state-level indicators of education, workforce, and research & development. States with strong federal and industry R&D investments tend to have more college graduates in the workforce.
The US remains top in science and engineering, but faces challenges from a shrinking native talent pool and increasing competition globally. Foreign-born workers have contributed to the country's success, but high-skill visas have declined significantly since 2001.
Researchers develop new methods to assess carbon uptake in Western mountain forests, which are affected by drought. By combining airborne data with ground-based measurements, scientists can better understand natural processes involved in forest-air carbon exchange.
Four new research centers will bring together experts in biomedical and oceanographic sciences to study the effects of harmful algal blooms, marine pathogens, and the oceans' potential for drug discovery. The centers will accelerate scientific discovery and develop new sensors for early warning systems.
A team of U.S. and German scientists used carbon-14 dating techniques to determine that most Arctic carbon is young and unlikely to affect the global climate balance. However, they warn that an Arctic warming trend could lead to the release of ancient carbon, enhancing the greenhouse effect and accelerating global warming.
Researchers found two primitive protoglobulins in ancient archaea species, offering clues to the evolution of oxygen-based life. The discovery may aid in the search for future blood substitutes by understanding how transport proteins evolved to bind and release oxygen.
A new, biodegradable machining compound developed by Ventana Research Corporation uses green tea extracts to improve the efficiency of computer hard drive manufacturing. The compound has shown a three- to four-fold increase in efficiency, leading to potential cost savings and environmental benefits.
A team of researchers has received a $2 million NSF grant to create an advanced system that predicts wildfire behavior and progression. The system will use data from sensors, satellite monitoring, and mathematical theory to provide minute-by-minute predictions for firefighters.
Archaeologists discovered perforated shells at Blombos Cave, dated to 75,000 years ago, which were likely strung as beads. This finding supports the theory that modern human behavior developed gradually throughout the Middle Stone Age.
Research on young female bowerbirds suggests that they are attracted to blue decorations in the males' bowers, rather than intense courtship displays. This finding has implications for understanding mate selection and could aid wildlife conservation.