Articles tagged with Scientific Foundations
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
A consortium of educators from around the world is urging a radical transformation in international educational reform to address the complexity and diversity of perspective in the 21st century. The group's website outlines 11 principles for rethinking curricula that lack continuity, collaboration, and shared vision.
The LA-SiGMA project will develop tools for materials simulations, benefiting public through faster computers, industrial catalysts, energy storage materials, and drug delivery systems.
New York University has received a $1.6 million National Science Foundation grant to upgrade its Structural DNA Nanotechnology facility, enhancing its experimental capacity and creating a state-of-the-art laboratory setting. The facility will also bolster NYU's competitive edge in the field of structural DNA nanotechnology.
The study reevaluates Cobitis longipectoralis, a Miocene-era fish with well-preserved specimens. Key findings include the presence of nine pectoral fin rays and distinctive suborbital spine features.
Dr. Eric Deemer's $312,000 NSF grant aims to understand how stereotype threat affects women's motivation in science. The study will inform practical recommendations for pedagogical and career intervention strategies.
The $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation aims to encourage more students to pursue STEM careers and provide support for their success. The program seeks to increase STEM degrees by 782 undergraduates by 2015, targeting retention and persistence to graduation among diverse student groups.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's Chesapeake Biological Laboratory is rebuilding its historic research pier after receiving a $1.7 million National Science Foundation grant. The pier, which has played a crucial role in climate change and fisheries management research since 1936, sustained major damage from r...
A University of Louisville researcher has received a three-year grant to explore how the nervous system grows and develops. The study aims to identify genes involved in dendritic growth using animal models.
Researchers investigate impact of Deepwater Horizon spill on minute ocean organisms, which play key roles in nutrient cycling and food chains. The study aims to establish baseline information on pre-spill biodiversity to inform future research.
Researchers at Purdue University are working on a project to develop a system for generating large quantities of synthetic fuel from agricultural wastes, other biomass or coal. The goal is to create a sustainable synthetic fuel economy by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing the yield of liquid fuel.
The IceCube observatory, located beneath Antarctic ice, aims to detect high-energy neutrinos and unravel the mysteries of cosmic rays. With its massive size and sensitive instrumentation, IceCube will help scientists understand the nature of dark matter and the universe's most violent events.
A Rutgers-led research team will design a 'clean-slate' network architecture to accommodate the shift of Internet traffic to smart cellular phones, tablet computers and emerging mobile data services. The goal is to make the mobile Internet reliable, available, secure and trustworthy.
The University of Minnesota's Institute for Mathematics and its Applications has received a $20.5 million NSF grant to continue its tradition as one of the nation's top math institutes. The IMA brings together world-class mathematicians with experts from other scientific disciplines to tackle real-world problems.
The University of Tennessee-managed NICS will add 300 teraflops and 200 million service units to the TeraGrid, increasing total available resources to over 800 million. Researchers can now access more resources, including the 166-teraflop Cray XT4 Athena, with improved availability for smaller jobs.
Researchers at Brigham Young University have uncovered evidence of a new diet in the North Creek Shelter, a 10,000-year-old archaeological site on the Colorado Plateau. The study reveals that early humans in the region consumed small seeds, including sage brush seeds, as well as deer and other game.
The University of Minnesota team, led by Vipin Kumar, will use data-driven methods to advance the science of climate change. The $10 million NSF project aims to gain actionable insights and inform policymakers.
The Community Earth System Model (CESM) is a powerful new tool for studying climate change, enabling scientists to simulate the complex interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces. The CESM will help researchers better understand the impacts of global warming on ice sheets, tropical cyclones, and aerosols.
A new analysis suggests that a stretched Sun conveyor belt may have caused the prolonged phase of low activity in solar cycle 23, leading to longer solar cycles. The study provides insights into the factors controlling solar cycles and could improve predictions.
University of Miami Rosenstiel School graduate students David Weinstein, Kevin Brix, Quinn Devlin, and Erica Staaterman received the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Award for their groundbreaking research. The award is a testament to the school's strong Ph.D. programs and its ability to attract talented students.
The School of Science at IUPUI is launching a program to encourage science majors to become teachers, addressing the shortage in science educators. Through the Noyce Summer Internship program, freshmen and sophomores share their enthusiasm for science with middle school and high school students.
A team of chemists, physicists and materials scientists at the University of Pennsylvania created a new method to rapidly grow centimeter-scale membranes of binary nanocrystal superlattices by crystallizing a mixture of nanocrystals on a liquid surface. The study demonstrates a new way to control nanocrystal size, shape and concentration.
The new code addresses good practice and bad conduct in science, offering a basis for trust and integrity across Europe. Researchers will have a common set of standards to self-regulate the research community, preventing misconduct that can endanger reputations.
The National Science Foundation grants LSU a nearly $2 million BIPAS grant to enhance the university's high-speed data communication network, enabling researchers to handle large amounts of data and collaborate globally. The grant will also provide on-demand increases in connectivity for future research needs.
The Elsevier Foundation has awarded a $177,000 grant to the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSDW) to support young women scientists. The grant will fund a seven-country assessment of women's participation in science and innovation systems.
Tessier is investigating fundamental aspects of misfolding and clumping of three classes of proteins, which can lead to disorders like Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma. His long-term objective is to develop new therapies to treat diseases related to toxic protein aggregation.
Assistant Professor Zahra Hazari aims to empower students toward long-term learning in physics by identifying personally meaningful learning experiences. She will develop lesson plans connecting physics to real-world contexts to counter stereotypes and attract more students to physics careers.
Amy Bower, a physical oceanographer at WHOI, created an expedition website and made herself available to Perkins students as a role model. Her partnership has greatly benefited the students, providing them with hands-on science experience and access to her research.
Physicist J.C. Séamus Davis has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his groundbreaking research on superconductors, superfluids, and supersolids. He is recognized for his insights into the behavior of electrons in high-temperature superconductors, which may lead to new superconducting materials.
Kendra McLauchlan's research aims to understand past ecosystems and provide context for modern changes to Earth systems. The project will examine ecosystem changes in increments of 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 years using data from three sites.
The Pathways to Inquiry program developed by LSU professors Yiping Lou and Pamela Blanchard has shown a significant increase in student science inquiry skills, with an average gain of 12%. The program provides teachers and students with evidence-based tools to analyze and build inquiry skills through interactive activities.
Researchers discover that weak hydrogen bonds produce stronger materials when confined to specific spaces, leading to enhanced ductility and self-healing capabilities. This unique arrangement of atomic bonds enables silk to surpass steel in strength tests, with potential applications for future materials.
A Clemson University assistant professor is using a $415,430 NSF CAREER Award to investigate social capital's impact on underrepresented students' decisions to enter engineering fields. The research aims to determine if these students use different mechanisms to access social capital and develop education and career-related goals.
Professor Terry August, a Rady School of Management faculty member, has received a prestigious CAREER award from the National Science Foundation for his research on software security. The $530,000 award will support his project to analyze the relationship between government policy, economic incentives and software security.
Subhash Khot, a NYU Courant professor, has received the NSF's Waterman Award for his work on computational complexity and its significance in computer security. He is recognized for his groundbreaking research on the Unique Games Problem, which sheds light on computationally intractable problems with far-reaching consequences.
Dr. Alexander Varshavsky, a pioneer in ubiquitin research, receives the Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science for elucidating the process of regulated protein degradation. Dr. Harmit Malik, a young researcher, wins the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise for his innovative approach to genetic conflict and its implications for human diseases.
Kansas State University biochemist Jianhan Chen has won the National Science Foundation CAREER Award to establish a strong research program and provide educational opportunities for students. He will focus on developing new methods for effective protein modeling and studying intrinsically disordered proteins, which play crucial roles i...
The CAISE Informal Science Education Summit brings together professionals to discuss critical issues impacting the field, including infrastructure, policies, and learning outcomes. Attendees will explore emerging trends and share knowledge across disciplines to strengthen the collective community.
A new microfluidic sorting device rapidly analyzes millions of biological reactions, allowing researchers to identify potent drugs and cleaner sources of energy. The device uses drop-based microfluidics to sort compounds in parallel at high speed.
The University of Southern California has been awarded a $25 million National Science Foundation grant to establish the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations. The center will explore the sub-seafloor biosphere in three main field projects at North Pond, Juan de Fuca and South Pacific Gyre.
Christine Aikens, a K-State assistant professor, received the National Science Foundation CAREER award to improve undergraduate laboratory experiences and conduct research on clean energy sources. Her work will focus on developing materials and processes that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using light.
A study by Harvard University researchers reveals that changes in beak length and depth can explain the morphological diversity of Darwin's finches. The team used mathematical models and genetic analysis to show that scaling transformations, shear, and gene expression are key factors in shaping the birds' beaks.
A bold new approach to premedical and medical education proposes interactive, interdisciplinary learning, outlining specific scientific topics that students should know before entering medical school. The report recommends eight competencies for undergraduate and graduate students, aiming to create integrated science courses.
The 'Branching Morphogenesis' installation, made from 75,000 cable zip-ties, simulates human lung cell interactions and challenges existing notions of complex biological information display. It has won the 2010 International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge award.
Researchers at Iowa State University have won a total of $16.38 million in federal grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. These grants support research projects focused on advanced biofuel production, public health intervention programs, and scientific research.
Researchers found that a negative mood imparts a warm glow to familiar stimuli, while a happy mood eliminates this preference for familiarity. This discovery has applications in various fields, including parenting, marketing, and politics.
A new study suggests that painting building roofs white could reduce urban heat island effects by 33%, cooling cities by an average of 0.7 degrees F. However, the authors caution that actual use of white roofs would depend on various factors and may not be feasible due to wear and tear.
A device created by UIC geoscientists simulates extreme sea floor conditions in a lab chamber, allowing scientists to examine samples under harsh conditions using X-ray diffraction. The device can simulate deep-sea pressure and temperatures, enabling the study of mineral formation, clay mineralogy, and hydrothermal systems.
Scientists recreated conditions for layer-by-layer crystalline growth using micron-sized particles, discovering that random motion affects crystal growth. The study's findings may lead to better control over the growth of thin films used in electronic component manufacturing.
A strip of paper infused with carbon nanotubes can quickly and inexpensively detect microcystin-LR, a chemical compound produced by cyanobacteria, found in nutrient-rich waters. The biosensor works by measuring the electrical conductivity of the nanotubes in the paper, changing their conductivity when the toxin is present.
The W.M. Keck Foundation has completed its 11-year Distinguished Young Scholars Program, awarding nearly $55 million to 54 young scientists who have gone on to publish pioneering work and assume leadership positions in their fields. The program provided flexible funding support to young investigators.
Kelly Holley-Bockelmann's NSF award will support her research on supermassive black holes and the university's innovative program for underrepresented minorities in physics. The grant also funds initiatives to recruit and retain students from underrepresented groups.
A six-person US-led delegation, including AAAS president Peter C. Agre, aims to discuss and identify future opportunities for collaborative research activities in fields of mutual interest with the DPRK. The delegation seeks to leverage diverse resources and capabilities to support future collaborations.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated the world's smallest semiconductor laser, paving the way for ultra-sensitive bio-detection, nanoscale optics, and enhanced communication systems. The breakthrough technology has potential applications in various fields, including healthcare, optics-based telecommunications, and optical computing.
Computer scientists at UC San Diego are creating a network of environmental sensors attached to people's clothing, which will provide up-to-the-minute information on outdoor and indoor air quality. The system, called CitiSense, aims to empower individuals to make healthier choices by giving them real-time data on polluted areas.
The AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognize innovative storytelling on scientific topics. The 2009 winners include 'Diamond Factory,' a TV feature on lab-grown diamonds, and 'A Very Lucky Wind,' a radio story exploring randomness and probability.
The American Institute of Mathematics (AIM) has developed a new tool, AIM Problem Lists, to help researchers tackle unsolved math problems. The lists provide clear statements of problems with expert commentary on possible approaches, allowing experts to track progress and newcomers to gain perspective.
Researchers at Georgia Tech are developing methods to identify and remotely repair infected mobile devices and improve the security of cellular networks. They plan to investigate whether service providers can detect infected devices on their networks and will build a test bed to simulate how devices communicate over a network.
Gordon is a powerful supercomputer that will use flash memory to speed solutions to critical science and societal problems overwhelmed by the growing amount of data generated by digital devices. The system will feature 245 teraflops of compute power, 256 TB of flash memory, and four petabytes of disk storage.
The world's top experts in endangered languages are converging at the University of Utah to create a comprehensive online database. The gathering aims to preserve 7,000 languages that are at risk of extinction, with nearly 90% predicted to disappear in the next 100 years.
Scientists are increasingly involved in preserving cultural heritage objects, using non-destructive analysis and innovative techniques. Conservation science research is funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, aiming to maximize the preservation of building materials and artworks.