Researchers created a new database of acoustic measurements to help engineers build customized sound systems. The database aims to improve human-computer interaction by enabling spatial sound with accurate location and depth perception.
Researchers have developed a new technology-driven approach to improving sea-going investigations using high-speed wireless networking. The system will enable scientists on land to analyze data immediately and provide feedback to ships at sea, reducing costs and increasing data quality.
Researchers suggest that subglacial lakes in Antarctica may support unique microbial life forms. The lakes' extreme conditions could provide insights into the origins of life on Earth. Scientists are now planning international cooperation to explore these hidden ecosystems.
The study found that internet users watch significantly less television than non-internet users, with a decline of 4.5 hours per week. Parents are increasingly denying access to the internet as punishment, and young people are more likely to prefer online interactions over in-person ones.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced eight institutional transformation awards to enhance the participation of women in science, engineering, and academia. The awards aim to improve diversity in STEM fields by creating models that can be replicated nationwide.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $156 million to 229 information technology research projects across the US. These large-scale projects will focus on developing software and IT services that support scientists and engineers in making groundbreaking discoveries.
The National Science Foundation has awarded six centers for nanoscale research at top universities across the US. These centers will advance information, medical, manufacturing, and environmental technologies, while fostering education programs and public understanding of science and engineering.
A team of astronomers has discovered a Jupiter-size planet in a nearly circular orbit around the nearby star 47 Ursae Majoris, located about 51 light years from Earth. The new planet is at least three-fourths the mass of Jupiter and orbits the star at a distance that would place it beyond Mars but within the orbit of Jupiter.
The National Science Foundation is awarding $53 million to build a distributed terascale facility, supporting research in storm prediction, combustion engines and biology. The project will create a unique national resource for high-performance computing, connecting researchers across the US.
Scientists have found a new source of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, which could contribute significantly to ocean nitrogen fixation. The newly discovered bacteria are active at greater depths and longer time periods than known marine cyanobacteria, with potential implications for global warming.
The National Science Foundation has funded a study that sheds light on the soft tissue biology of dinosaurs, specifically their nasal structures. The research, led by Lawrence Witmer, provides clues to how air flowed and affected olfaction and heat exchange in these prehistoric creatures.
Research by Lawrence Witmer reveals that many dinosaurs had large nasal passages, contrary to previous depictions. The study suggests that these passages were positioned closer to the mouths and farther from the eyes, which could have been important for heat exchange and other physiological processes.
A nearly complete long-necked sauropod dinosaur was recently unearthed in Madagascar, providing the first comprehensive view of a titanosaur skull. The discovery, announced by NSF-funded scientists, confirms a close relationship between titanosaurs and brachiosaurs, revolutionizing our understanding of Mesozoic reptiles.
Researchers found evidence of liquid water on Earth 4.4 billion years ago, contradicting previous views on the planet's formation. The discovery suggests an early Earth with conditions that could support life, raising questions about the moon's formation and potential for life.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $2.5 million to NLANR to extend technical, engineering, and traffic analysis support to high-performance networking communities. The grant supports over 170 NSF-funded High-Performance Connections sites connecting to vBNS research network backbones.
At the American Astronomical Society meeting, NSF highlighted recent breakthroughs in adaptive optics, revealing a solar-system-sized disk around a massive protostar. The NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey also captured 300,000 faint galaxies over a vast area, creating the first three-dimensional map of the universe.
The complete genome sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana reveals clues to genetic behavior in plants and animals, with potential applications for agriculture and medicine. The public domain genome catalog provides a resource for scientists worldwide.
The National Science Board will convene an open session on October 19, 2020, at the National Science Foundation. The agenda includes swearing-in of new members, review of minutes from August 2000, and discussion of NSF planning issues such as the Mathematics Initiative and stipends.
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) will create a searchable database of species, facilitating the digitization and sharing of biodiversity data. This initiative addresses the lack of accessibility to biodiversity information in developing countries and aims to support scientific research and conservation efforts.
The National Science Board will hold an open session on March 15-16 to discuss key issues including budget and long-range planning. The meeting will provide an opportunity for reporters to engage in discussions with the NSB Chair and NSF Director.
Scientists have developed a new imaging technique using ripples on the sun's surface to probe its interior and locate hidden solar storms. This breakthrough enables forecasting of solar storms with a week's warning, potentially disrupting spacecraft and power systems.
The U.S. National Science Board will hold an open session on November 18, where it plans to discuss its interim report on the environment and other key policy topics. The board will also present its strategic plan for NSF and hear from experts on nanoscience and engineering.
The National Science Foundation's high-tech national supercomputer grid will be used in education, outreach, and training. Hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge research and educational learning environments will be showcased at the conference.
The National Science Board will hold an open session on May 6 and 7, covering topics such as swearing in NSB nominees, presentations of honorary awards, and committee charges. The agenda for May 7 includes annual business matters and a report from the CPP Task Force on the Environment.
A new species of hominid, Australopithecus garhi, has been discovered in Ethiopia, providing significant evidence about the evolutionary connection between early humans and their ancestors. The fossil finds help fill a void in the East African record of human origins, spanning 2-3 million years ago.
National Science Board (NSB) Chairman Eamon Kelly will be available to discuss various science-related issues on April 26. The NSB, comprising industry and academia representatives, has published papers on education, research trends, and government funding.
The MIT researchers' new model explains minute differences in magma composition by shifting densities due to iron and silicon, offset by soaring temperatures. This resolves the long-standing debate on convection in the Earth's mantle, providing a new framework for further investigations.
The National Science Board will convene its next open session on March 25-26 at the National Science Foundation. During this meeting, agenda items include review of minutes from November 1998 and February 1999, as well as discussion of the Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarships (CSEMS) Program.
A team of researchers has devised a way to track Antarctic Weddell seals as they hunt using a small video system and data logger attached to their backs. The equipment enables the researchers to compute the three-dimensional path of individual dives, allowing for major advancements in understanding underwater behavior.
A newly discovered fossil provides unprecedented insights into the biology of theropod dinosaurs, revealing they had high metabolic rates and lacked bird-like lungs. The findings confirm that these ancient reptiles were cold-blooded, contradicting previous theories about their potential avian ancestry.
NSF-supported astronomers discovered that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, driven by a yet unknown force. Circadian rhythms research also made significant progress, with discoveries on genes regulating molecular cycles in fruit flies and cyanobacteria.
Researchers Xiaodong Song and Don Helmberger found two distinct layers in the inner core: a spherical lower part and an uneven upper layer with different material properties. The findings may affect the formation of the Earth's magnetic field.
A recent study suggests that El Nino events can be predicted several months in advance, with seasonal averages in the tropics being the most predictable. The research identifies sea surface temperature, soil wetness, vegetation, and snow cover as key factors influencing weather patterns.
A researcher has detected an enormous black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, with a mass 2.6 million times that of our Sun. The discovery was made using advanced imaging techniques and provides a definitive view of a part of the galaxy previously unseen.
Researchers have identified a cluster of three genes, kaiABC, that are integral components of the feedback loop driving circadian rhythms in cyanobacteria. The levels of KaiC gene expression increase during daytime and decrease at night, but an overabundance can shift the timing of the clock.
A critical chemical reaction previously thought to support microbial life deep below Earth's surface is now considered highly unlikely. Microorganisms are likely living on organic matter associated with rock, not hydrogen, according to researchers.
The National Science Board will hold a public hearing to investigate effective teaching and learning of mathematics and science in K-12 education. The hearing aims to identify key contributors to successful reform strategies and discuss evidence of actual impact on student achievement.
A team of researchers has discovered a nearly complete skull of the large predatory dinosaur Majungatholus, which lived during the Late Cretaceous period. The fossil, found on the island of Madagascar, sheds light on the habits and characteristics of this enigmatic theropod dinosaur.
Research reveals that bison grazing can increase plant species diversity in stressed grasslands, countering the effects of fire and fertilizer. By reestablishing grazing, scientists find that biodiversity can be retained in ecosystems impacted by human activities.
The National Science Board will meet on February 25-27, 1998, to discuss various topics including graduate education, industry reliance on publicly funded research, and long-range planning. The meeting is open to the public, and media representatives are invited to attend.
Researchers have found evidence of molten rock two thousand miles beneath the Earth's surface, challenging scientists' understanding of mantle convection. The discovery was made using seismic waves measured in Norway and detected a slurry of molten rock across a 300-by-600-mile region deep beneath Tonga.
A team of researchers, funded by the US National Science Foundation, discovered a group of fossil mammals, gondwanatheres, in Madagascar and India. These ancient creatures provide evidence for the movement of landmasses during the Late Cretaceous period.
Researchers discovered that biological clocks are independently controlled in various body parts, including appendages and sensory cells. These findings could lead to new strategies for treating disorders related to jet lag, shift work, and seasonal depression.
The World Wide Web Consortium has formed a new initiative to address web accessibility for people with disabilities. Judy Brewer, director of the International Program Office, will discuss the activities and impact of accessible design, as well as marketing benefits for non-disabled technology users.
Scientists have discovered that the May 8 gamma ray burst releases an enormous amount of energy, outshining the sun in its lifetime. Radio observations indicate the fireball expands at nearly the speed of light, with a size estimated to be about one-tenth of a light-year.
The National Science Board will meet on August 20 at the National Science Foundation, addressing key topics such as industry reliance on publicly-funded research and federal support for scientific research. The agenda includes a media availability with NSB Chairman Dick Zare and NSF Director Neal Lane.
Researchers have identified the precise mechanism by which marine algae produce DMSP, a compound that helps clouds form in the atmosphere. This discovery could lead to genetically engineered crops with improved drought, freeze, and salt tolerance, potentially regulating global climate.
A National Science Foundation study reveals that emotions after disasters are more complex than portrayed in the news, with positive emotions often present. Survivors who receive early social support tend to cope better over time.
Scientists from the National Science Foundation and IRIS have ruled out cult activities and nuclear detonations as causes of a 1993 Australian seismic event. They now believe that an iron meteorite of about two meters in diameter could have created the tremors, but no crater has been found.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how nutrients and vitamins enter living cells, finding that membrane proteins act like gates to regulate entry and acquire essential molecules. The study reveals dynamic entities capable of sensing their environment and actively acquiring substances needed for cell growth.