Articles tagged with Scientific Foundations
Seven pioneering scientists recognized for transforming human knowledge in nanoscience, neuroscience and astrophysics. The Kavli prizes have been awarded to seven scientists who have advanced our understanding of ultra-small matter properties, brain circuitry and quasars.
The EuroQUAM inauguration conference in Barcelona showcased cutting-edge results in cold quantum matter, a field with applications in high-precision measurement and quantum information. The conference aimed to stimulate collaborations between experiment and theory, highlighting the high quality of research in Europe.
Dr. Krishna P.C. Madhavan has received a $511,824 NSF CAREER Award to investigate how virtual environments can enhance learning outcomes for engineering students. His research aims to bridge the gap between advanced engineering research and curricula, creating highly adaptive learning experiences.
LUX detector, funded by NSF and DOE, searches for WIMPs in 4,800ft underground South Dakota mine, aiming to detect rare dark matter particles, the largest discovery since antimatter in the 1930s.
Researchers are turning to advanced technologies like membrane bioreactors, nanoscale filtration, and desalination to provide clean water globally. A coordinated approach is needed to tackle complex water issues, with international cooperation key to addressing the crisis before it worsens.
A team of linguists, led by Professor Michael Krauss, will document 11 endangered languages in Alaska using a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The project aims to preserve the Atuuan dialect, Southern Tsimshian, and other critically endangered languages.
A team led by Katrina Edwards is drilling into the ocean floor to study subseafloor microbes, which may affect ocean chemistry and global climate. The five-year project will use complex engineering and instrumentation to conduct long-term experiments and uncover new details about these microbes.
The NOVA documentary 'Forgotten Genius' tells the story of African-American chemist Percy Julian, who made groundbreaking discoveries in steroids and developed life-saving drugs. The film highlights Julian's personal courage and tenacity in the face of racism and adversity.
Studies show people overestimate enjoyment of experiences with better alternatives and underestimate with worse ones. Slowing down experiences allows minds to wander to alternative options, leading to more accurate predictions.
The Elsevier Foundation has awarded grants to thirteen institutions worldwide to promote innovation in developing countries and the academic workplace. The awards support initiatives that improve access to scientific information, develop information resources, and balance childcare responsibilities for early-career scholars.
A UA-led team has received a $50 million grant to create a global center and computer cyberinfrastructure to address plant biology's grand challenge questions. The project will unite researchers from around the world to advance all fields of plant science.
American cancer researcher Professor Robert A Weinberg has been awarded the new Swedish science prize, which recognizes his pioneering discoveries in basal tumour biology and tumour suppressant genes. He will give lectures at Karolinska Institutet and forge links with researchers to advance cancer research.
The newly completed map of Antarctica is a result of NASA's state-of-the-art satellite technologies, offering the most geographically accurate and high-resolution views of the continent. The Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica will enable researchers to better plan scientific expeditions and help scientists map various rock formations.
Researchers at the University of Iowa are studying risky decision-making among pre-teens, focusing on factors that contribute to risk-taking behaviors such as smoking and drinking. The three-year study aims to identify profiles of at-risk children and track how their decision-making deficits affect everyday choices.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have created a new tool to measure elusive atmospheric chemicals involved in smog formation. The device can predict the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies by quantitatively assessing hydroperoxyl radicals and their chemical pathways.
The National Professional Science Master's Association will promote and support professional master's degree programs across the nation, encouraging their expansion and excellence. The organization aims to improve workforce preparation and employment opportunities for graduates of these programs.
A new study estimates that US forest fires release about 30% of the nation's total mercury emissions, primarily affecting the environment and human health. The Southeast region emits the most mercury, followed by Alaska and California, highlighting the need for better protection measures.
Researchers developed a hybrid technique to probe the dynamics of the Holliday junction, a four-stranded DNA structure that forms during homologous recombination. The study found that the intermediate structure is similar to that of a Holliday junction bound to its own processing enzyme.
Scientists have extracted intact rock samples from 2 miles beneath the San Andreas Fault, a major breakthrough in understanding the fault's composition and behavior. The recovered cores provide unprecedented insights into the mechanism of earthquakes and the movement of tectonic plates.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is partnering with ResearchChannel to create science-themed programming for cable television, the Internet, and other media. The partnership will feature lectures from distinguished scientists, panel discussions on ongoing NSF-funded research, and institutional research series.
The 2007 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge has selected its top winning entries, featuring visually striking images that showcase the beauty of science. The contest, sponsored by AAAS and NSF, honors artists who use visual media to promote scientific research.
A Brown University team has won the International Science and Technology Visualization Challenge with their visualization of bat flight, revealing fine details of wing and body movement during flight. The winning entry showcases the team's innovative use of motion-capture technology to capture the aerodynamics of bat flight.
The NSF-funded Model Institutions for Excellence program has successfully recruited underrepresented minorities to STEM fields, with a 44% increase in bachelor's degrees conferred. Key strategies include bridging the high school-college transition, mentoring programs, and faculty development.
Researchers at the University of Nevada Reno aim to solve fundamental questions about knots and low-dimensional manifolds using a new set of techniques. This study has implications for various scientific fields, including topology and materials science.
Researchers will focus on biosensors, material-biology interface, and flexible implantable electronics for medical monitoring, diagnostics, and therapeutics. The program aims to advance flexible electronics technology in biomedical devices.
Researchers using pinhead-sized fossils from sediments deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean found that large continental ice sheets did not exist in both hemispheres around 41 million years ago. The findings resolve a long-standing problem and provide renewed confidence in our understanding of geological events and ice sheet existence.
John P. Donoghue, a Brown University brain scientist, has been awarded the K.J. Zülch Prize for his groundbreaking research on translating thoughts into action, enabling people with paralysis to control devices using brain signals.
Researchers found that companies connected through a small world network exhibit increased innovation and creativity, thanks to clustering and reach. This structure enables information exchange and cooperation among firms, leading to improved innovation outcomes.
A new Texas A&M University program aims to tackle conservation challenges by integrating biology, culture, and governance. Led by Dr. Lee Fitzgerald and Dr. Amanda Stronza, the project will train students in interdisciplinary research and fieldwork to address pressing issues like invasive species, habitat loss, and social conflict.
NCAR has added a powerful BlueGene/L system to the TeraGrid, providing up to 4.5 million processor-hours of computing power annually. This enhances the nation's comprehensive infrastructure for open scientific research, increasing the TeraGrid's total computing capability and data storage.
Scientists have developed a simple experiment to measure the mechanical properties of thin films, which could impact industries like cosmetics, coatings and nanoelectronics. The new method uses low-power optical microscopy to observe wrinkles in the film, providing insight into material properties.
Nina V. Fedoroff, a renowned researcher in life sciences and biotechnology, is among eight scientists named to receive the 2006 National Medal of Science. Her work focuses on understanding gene regulation by small RNA molecules and developing mechanisms for plants to withstand environmental stressors.
The BHCosmo simulation reveals the integral role of black holes in galaxy formation and cosmic evolution. It provides a deeper understanding of quasar formation and helps predict where to aim future telescopes for early cosmic events and galaxy structures.
Jeffrey L. Osborn, a University of Kentucky professor, has been named the 2007 Arthur C. Guyton Teacher of the Year by the American Physiological Society for his classroom teaching and research on renal sodium and water balance. He received a $1,000 honorarium and funding to attend an APS meeting.
A new study by NSF shows that undergraduate students who participate in hands-on research are more likely to pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM fields. The study's findings indicate that carefully designed undergraduate research experiences motivate students, making them effective previews of doing STEM graduate work.
Science centers provide valuable experiences for older adults, fostering intergenerational learning and collaboration between aging agencies. The report highlights innovative programs and resources to benefit both seniors and the broader aging population.
A recent study found that carbon dioxide consumed by animals and bacteria in the twilight zone is often recycled back into the atmosphere, rather than being stored in the deep ocean. This discovery adds complexity to proposals for mitigating climate change through ocean fertilization.
A new report explores nanotechnology's future, focusing on its potential to address the energy crisis, improve medical treatments, and provide clean water. Experts predict significant benefits in areas like cancer treatment, artificial tissues, and clean energy production.
The researcher will receive a $400,000 grant to develop sophisticated computer models that can predict wear problems on various surfaces, including materials used in semiconductor and data storage devices. The study aims to understand how abrasive nanoparticles cause friction and surface wear, with potential applications in the product...
The mapping of E8 by 18 leading mathematicians and computer scientists represents a significant breakthrough in basic knowledge and large-scale computing. The result is an enormous, dense calculation that compares in size to the human genome project.
Five UH geosciences professors are recognized for their outstanding achievements in various fields of study. Janok Bhattacharya receives the Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award, while Aibing Li receives a $450,000 NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award supporting research and education integration. Fred Hilterman...
The European Union has launched the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008, a massive scientific undertaking that brings together 50,000 people from over 60 nations to study the Earth's polar regions. The IPY aims to deepen international partnerships and create trust through political and scientific dialogue.
Network Foundation Technologies receives grant to develop low-cost online broadcasting technology, creating high-tech jobs and economic development in the community. The company's innovative technology has the potential to bring large-scale, low-cost television-style broadcasting to large audiences via the Internet.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a novel approach to synthesizing nanowires, allowing them to integrate with microelectronic systems and act as highly sensitive biomolecule detectors. This breakthrough has profound implications for the application of nanoscience technologies and future diagnostics.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a four-year grant to the Center for Workshops in the Chemical Sciences (CWCS), supporting series of workshops for college professors. The workshops have had an enormous impact on course development, programs, and majors at many institutions.
Dr. Neal Lane, former U.S. President Bill Clinton's science advisor, expresses concerns about the impact of limited public knowledge on nanotechnology's future success. He emphasizes the need for a coordinated effort to educate the public and provide balanced information about nanotechnology's benefits and risks.
Scientists from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) are making significant discoveries in ocean drilling operations, including the first complete section through a modern cold-water coral mound. The IODP is an international scientific research program that explores subseafloor environments and monitors environmental change, ge...
The publication provides news and information about grid computing projects and collaborations worldwide, highlighting the use of grid technology in scientific research. International Science Grid This Week is a collaboration between Open Science Grid and Enabling Grids for E-sciencE projects.
Joseph Dwyer is studying the phenomenon of runaway breakdown in lightning, which creates high-energy electrons that make x-rays. His research aims to understand how lightning works and could lead to new discoveries.
The National Science Foundation awards Rice University a five-year grant to develop strategies for recruiting and enhancing the pool of women faculty in science and engineering. The university aims to address subtle biases and stereotypes that discourage women from pursuing careers in academia.
An interdisciplinary team will investigate how environmental changes influence an organism's evolution and how the evolving organism affects the ecosystem. The study, led by UC Riverside's David Reznick, aims to understand eco-evolutionary feedback loops in guppy populations coexisting with Hart's killifish.
University of Alaska Fairbanks Professor Larry Duffy has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to develop a new polar science education course. The two-year project will help increase students' and the public's understanding of polar science through an interdisciplinary approach.
The National Science Foundation has renewed and increased funding for the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) at UC Santa Barbara. The center will receive $18.4-million over five years, with an additional $2.6-million to advance research on managing complex ecological information.
The University of Pittsburgh is developing a multidisciplinary nanotechnology undergraduate course with a $200,000 NSF grant. The hands-on research-oriented course will introduce students to nanoscale devices and their applications, with a focus on publishing research in refereed journals.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Cornell a $3.3 million grant to increase the percentage of women faculty members in science and engineering departments over the next five years. The goal is to reach 20% women faculty by 2011, with an ultimate objective of having one-third of science and engineering faculty be women by 2015.
The 2006 Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge has awarded prizes to 22 winning entries across five categories, showcasing innovative approaches to visualize complex scientific concepts. The winning images and multimedia presentations will be featured in the September 22, 2006 issue of Science.
Brown University will receive a major grant to boost the representation of women in academic science and engineering careers. The ADVANCE program aims to increase retention and career advancement, providing resources such as administrative shadowing and mentoring programs.
Florida Tech associate professor Dr. Jean-Paul Pinelli has received a $300,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop a wireless sensor network monitoring wind impacts on structures. The three-year research project will provide full-scale data on wind-induced structural stress during hurricanes.
A new study finds that human-caused increases in greenhouse gas concentrations are primarily responsible for rising ocean temperatures in key hurricane breeding grounds of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The research used 22 different computer models to show a strong link between warming sea surface temperatures and human activities.
A new analysis of ocean-floor sediments collected near the North Pole reveals that the Arctic was extremely warm, unusually wet, and ice-free during a prehistoric period 55 million years ago. The findings suggest that massive amounts of greenhouse gases were released into the Earth's atmosphere during this time.