Protecting our processors
The NSF/SRC STARSS program aims to reduce the likelihood of unintended behavior in semiconductors. Researchers will focus on strategies and tools for authentication throughout the supply chain and in the field.
U.S. National Science Foundation
Antifreeze proteins in Antarctic fish prevent both freezing and melting
Researchers discovered that antifreeze protein-bound ice crystals resist melting even when temperatures warm, leading to potential adverse physiological consequences for the fish. The study also found ice superheating in nature, a phenomenon where internal ice crystals fail to melt at their normal melting point.
SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 23, 2014
NSF awards $15 million in second set of coastal sustainability grants
The National Science Foundation has awarded over $15 million in grants to study coastal sustainability, addressing key issues like sea-level rise, invasive species, and climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems. The grants aim to improve management of coastal environments and provide ecosystem services that sustain human well-being.
How evolutionary principles could help save our world
A group of researchers recommend applying evolutionary biology to combat modern threats, proposing gene therapies, drought-resistant crop varieties, and conservation strategies to protect land with high genetic diversity. This approach can help develop more robust solutions to societal problems and promote sustainable development.
Racing ahead of disease outbreaks: $12 million in new research grants
The US National Science Foundation, NIH, and USDA have awarded over $12 million in new research grants to study the ecological and biological mechanisms behind human-induced environmental changes and infectious diseases. Researchers will investigate topics such as landscape structure on disease dynamics and host vaccinations' impact on...
Ocean acidification: NSF awards $11.4 million in new grants to study effects on marine ecosystems
The National Science Foundation has awarded new grants totaling $11.4 million to research the impact of ocean acidification on marine environments and organisms. Ocean acidification affects marine ecosystems, organisms' life histories, ocean food webs, and biogeochemical cycling.
Princeton University launches NSF-funded initiative to study Southern Ocean's role in global systems
The $21-million SOCCOM program will provide unprecedented year-round coverage of biogeochemistry in the Southern Ocean, enabling top scientists to work together on research that was not possible before. The initiative aims to improve our understanding of the Southern Ocean's importance to the Earth's carbon and climate systems.
Transformative science
A new partnership between NSF, NCI, SU2C, and The V Foundation will explore transformative, theoretical biophysics for cancer research and treatment. This collaboration aims to merge life sciences with physical, computational, and engineering sciences to develop innovative approaches.
Scientists apply biomedical technique to reveal changes in body of the ocean
Researchers have adapted a biomedical technique to study ocean organisms, identifying and measuring proteins to understand biochemical reactions. The study reveals how microbes respond to environmental cues and ecosystem changes over large regions.
T. rex times 7: New dinosaur species is discovered in Argentina
A massive 85-foot-long and 65-ton dinosaur, Dreadnoughtus schrani, has been discovered with the most complete skeleton ever found of its type. The fossil offers an unprecedented window into the anatomy and biomechanics of this giant animal.
NSF expands the National Innovation Network with 2 new I-Corps nodes
The NSF has awarded two grants to expand its National Innovation Network through the I-Corps program, supporting innovation education, research, and infrastructure in Southern California and Texas. The new nodes will join five existing regional hubs, fostering mentorship, research, and entrepreneurship.
Enabling a new future for cloud computing
The NSF awards two $10 million projects to create cloud computing testbeds, enabling the academic research community to develop and experiment with novel cloud architectures. Chameleon and CloudLab will support real-time and safety-critical applications in medical devices, power grids, and transportation systems.
800 meters beneath Antarctic ice sheet, subglacial lake holds viable microbial ecosystems
Researchers funded by NSF publish paper confirming presence of viable microbial ecosystems in subglacial Lake Whillans, 800 meters beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet. The discovery has implications for life in other extreme environments and may influence the chemical and biological composition of the Southern Ocean.
Unusual discovery leads to fascinating tuberculosis theory
Researchers found evidence that Mycobacterial tuberculosis genomes in Peru's human skeletons match animal lineages from seals and sea lions. This suggests marine mammals brought the disease to South America before European arrival. The study provides strong evidence for a complex history of tuberculosis transmission in the Americas.
Federal agencies provide new opportunities for dying languages
The National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities have awarded over $4 million to support the documentation of nearly 40 endangered languages. These awards will build research infrastructure and encourage long-term collaboration with host countries, as well as involve significant community engagement.
Can our computers continue to get smaller and more powerful?
Researchers examine limitations in manufacturing, engineering, power, time, and computational complexity to determine achievable advancements. Emerging technologies like carbon nanotubes may overcome traditional limits, but fundamental constraints still pose significant obstacles.
Taking astronomy to the next level
The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will image the entire visible sky twice per week, providing a vast amount of information on short-lived transient events, dark matter, and dark energy. The project is a partnership among NSF, DOE, and private contributors, with operational support from researchers worldwide.
Certain Arctic lakes store more greenhouse gases than they release
Research reveals thermokarst lakes in Arctic regions act as climate coolers over longer time scales, storing more carbon than emitting. The study finds that these lakes, which form from thawing permafrost, absorb significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists chart a baby boom -- in southwestern Native-Americans from 500 to 1300 A.D.
Researchers analyzed human remains in the Four Corners region, finding a centuries-long population growth and subsequent collapse due to overpopulation and environmental degradation. The study highlights the importance of considering population growth's consequences for modern societies.
SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 30, 2014
Ancient ocean currents may have changed pace and intensity of ice ages
Climate scientists report that deep ocean currents stalled or slowed at around 950,000 years ago, leading to longer and more intense ice ages. The slowdown increased carbon dioxide storage in oceans, keeping temperatures cold and triggering a new phase of colder ice ages.
Eradicating invasive species sometimes threatens endangered ones
A study published in Science reveals that eradicating invasive species can sometimes harm endangered ones, such as the California Clapper Rail. The researchers found that slowing down invasive species eradication allows for restoration or natural recovery of the ecosystem, providing suitable habitat for the endangered species.
California Central Valley groundwater depletion slowly raises Sierra Nevada mountains
Groundwater pumping in California's Central Valley depletes the aquifer, raising the Sierra Nevada and Coast Mountain Ranges by a few millimeters each year, creating stress on faults that could increase earthquake risk. Scientists report their results in Nature, finding cumulative rise over 150 years of up to 15 centimeters.
Moving towards a more robust, secure and agile Internet
The National Science Foundation has awarded $15 million to three multi-institutional projects to further develop, deploy and test future Internet architectures. The projects aim to enhance security, respond to emerging service challenges and enable the scalability of the information infrastructure.
Airborne radar surveys and data-based models indicate West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse is underway
Researchers conclude that Antarctica's West Antarctic Ice Sheet will likely disappear within a few decades, with the Thwaites Glacier disappearing in centuries. The ice sheet contains enough ice to cause another 3-4 meters of global sea level rise.
Climate change may worsen summertime ozone pollution
Researchers warn of a 70% increase in unhealthy summertime ozone levels across the US by 2050 due to climate change. A sharp reduction in emissions could counteract this increase, however, and reduce ozone pollution even as temperatures warm.
Undersea warfare: Viruses hijack deep-sea bacteria at hydrothermal vents
Scientists found viruses that infect bacterial cells in deep-sea environments, forcing them to burn sulfur reserves and release energy. The viral genes are similar to those used by the infected bacteria, suggesting a genetic exchange that helps the viruses propagate.
Octillions of microbes in the seas: Ocean microbes show incredible genetic diversity
A recent study reveals that the marine microbe Prochlorococcus has hundreds of distinct genetic subpopulations, each with a unique genomic backbone. This diversity is finely tuned for optimal growth under different conditions, creating a robust and stable population in the face of environmental instability.
Krypton-dating technique allows researchers to accurately date ancient Antarctic ice
Researchers successfully used a new Krypton-dating technique to confirm the age of a 120,000-year-old sample of Antarctic ice. This technique provides an accurate means of confirming the age of ice samples, and allows scientists to reconstruct climate back as far as 1.5 million years.
SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 21, 2014
Earth Week: Bark beetles change Rocky Mountain stream flows, affect water quality
Research by hydrologists and scientists found that the death of millions of trees in Rocky Mountain regions due to bark beetles increases groundwater flow and changes water quality. The study used water chemistry to identify the source of streamflow and found a significant increase in late-summer groundwater contributions.
Frozen in time: 3-million-year-old landscape still exists beneath the Greenland ice sheet
Researchers funded by NSF discover that some landscapes underlying the massive Greenland ice sheet may have remained undisturbed for almost 3 million years. The team analyzed chemical composition of silts from an ice core and found evidence of a continuous cover of Summit, Greenland, with minimal surface erosion during warmest periods.
Long-term predictions for Miami sea level rise could be available relatively soon
Researchers predict that Miami sea levels will rise by .3 meters to 1 meter by 2100, with areas experiencing constant flooding and mangrove loss. Long-term predictions could be available as early as 2020, providing 70 years of planning for coastal regions.
Remotely operated aircraft successfully tested as tool for measuring changes in polar ice sheets
Researchers successfully tested a compact radar system on a small Unmanned Aircraft System to map glacial topography beneath rapidly moving glaciers. The technology promises to make high-resolution ice measurements more accessible to the research community.
SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalIEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine·DateApr 2, 2014
Richard Tapia, mathematician and mentor, receives 2014 Vannevar Bush Award
Richard Tapia, a mathematician and mentor, is the 2014 recipient of the Vannevar Bush Award. He has increased opportunities for underrepresented minorities in science and mathematics through his work at Rice University. Tapia's efforts have led to significant progress in producing women and minority Ph.D.s in mathematical sciences.
Analysis: Industry-sponsored academic inventions spur increased innovation
A new analysis found that industry-funded inventions yielded patents and licenses more frequently than federally sponsored ones, with increased forward citations. Despite concerns about exclusive licensing, the study showed that corporate-sponsored inventions were not more likely to be tied up in restrictive agreements.
Rocky Mountain wildflower season lengthens by more than a month
A 39-year study reveals that more than two-thirds of alpine flowers have changed their blooming patterns in response to climate change. The blooming season has lengthened by a month, with different species responding in unexpected ways. This change is expected to have strong effects on pollinating insects and migratory birds.
SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2014
NSF-funded researchers say Antarctic telescope may have provided the first direct evidence of cosmic
Researchers say they've collected the first direct evidence for cosmic inflation, a cataclysmic event that marked the universe's birth. The team observed strong B-mode polarization signals in the cosmic microwave background, a signature of gravitational waves, confirming a deep connection between quantum mechanics and general relativity.
Lawns across America: Is the US becoming 1 shade of green?
A study of 9,500 residents in six US cities found that while some urban lawn care patterns were similar, others varied significantly. The research suggests that lawns may be a key indicator of where cities need to address sustainability concerns, particularly in terms of nutrient pollution.
SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2014
Climate of Genghis Khan's ancient time extends long shadow over Asia of today
Climate scientists analyzed tree rings to find that Genghis Khan took power during a severe drought, but his empire expanded during the wettest period in the region. The study suggests human-caused warming may be exacerbating current droughts in Mongolia and Inner Asia.
SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2014
Computer model predicts vastly different ecosystem in Antarctica's Ross Sea in the coming century
A computer model predicts significant changes in the Ross Sea ecosystem, including disruptions in food webs and predator-prey relationships. Rising temperatures and changing wind patterns are expected to affect biological productivity and species distributions.
Volcanoes, including Mount Hood in the US, can quickly become active
Mount Hood's magma chamber has been stored for at least 20,000 years in near-solid conditions, with the potential to erupt in as little as a couple of months. Scientists have discovered that magma needs to be heated to over 750 degrees Celsius to become mobile and potentially erupt.
2013 International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge winners named
The National Science Foundation and Science journal announced 18 winners of the 2013 International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge. The contest showcased captivating visualizations of complex scientific concepts, including wearable energy storage and brain mapping.
Analysis indicates that North and tropical Atlantic warming affects Antarctic climate
A team of NYU scientists found strong correlations between North and tropical Atlantic Ocean warming and subsequent changes in Antarctica's sea level pressure and sea ice redistribution. The study suggests that distant regional conditions can have far-reaching effects on Antarctic climate change.
Palau's coral reefs surprisingly resistant to ocean acidification
Marine scientists in Palau found corals living in acidic waters to be diverse and healthy, contradicting previous observations. The unique environment in Palau's Rock Islands is believed to provide a 'perfect storm' of conditions that allow corals to thrive.
New sea anemone species discovered in Antarctica
Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln discovered a new species of small sea anemones, Edwardsiella andrillae, burrowed into Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf. The anemones have adapted to live upside down in ice, creating a previously unknown ecosystem.
Oh, the places you'll go -- if you're an Atlantic slipper shell
Scientists discovered that Atlantic slipper shell larvae control their swimming speed by subtly shifting the position of their velar lobes, demonstrating complex neuromuscular control. The ability to make small movements with these lobes allows the larvae to swim at varying speeds, determining individual dispersal and survival.
Beyond Mendel
The Student DNA Barcoding Project is a flexible curriculum that uses student-generated research to teach about biodiversity, ecology and molecular biology. The project has been successfully used in New York City and Belize, with students exploring topics such as beetles, beehives, and conservation.
Mountain pikas, relatives of rabbits, survive at warm sea-level temperatures by eating mosses
Researchers discovered that pikas in Oregon can thrive in hot weather by consuming high amounts of fiber-rich moss. The pikas' unique digestive system allows them to recycle low-quality food into nutritious protein and energy.
Early-career investigator discovers current volcanic activity under West Antarctica
Scientists have discovered current volcanic activity beneath West Antarctica's massive ice sheet. The seismic swarms indicate a subglacial volcano with active magma moving below the ice.
Scientists nearing forecasts of long-lived wildfires' paths
Researchers create a new computer model that combines cutting-edge simulations of weather and fire with satellite observations to predict the extent and behavior of wildfires. The technique, called CAWFE, allows for updated forecasts every 12 hours, enabling accurate predictions throughout a fire's lifetime.
NSF, with interagency and international partners, makes first round of grants to understand Arctic sustainability
The NSF has awarded six projects to 12 institutions, including international collaborations, to understand Arctic sustainability. The projects focus on environmental change, governance, and community resilience, with a goal of informing policy and mitigation strategies.