National Science Foundation

Unraveling the mathematics behind wiggly worm knots For millennia, humans have used knots for all kinds of reasons — to tie rope, braid hair or weave fabrics. But there are organisms that are better at tying knots and far superior — and faster — at untangling them. Tiny California blackworms… Published May 31, 2023 at 06:48AM Read more at nsf.gov

Searching for ancient bears in an Alaskan cave led to an important human discovery The first people to live in the Americas migrated from Siberia across the Bering Land Bridge more than 20,000 years ago. Some made their way as far south as Tierra del Fuego, at the tip of South America. Others settled in areas much closer to their… Published May 30, 2023 at 10:24AM Read more at nsf.gov

This week with NSF Director Panchanathan This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan received an honorary degree and delivered the keynote address at the University of Vermont's graduation ceremony for the class of 2023. His speech was framed around the letters in "Vermont,” and to each… Published May 26, 2023 at 08:06AM Read more at nsf.gov

Hitchhiker plants inspire improved techniques for reattaching tendon to bone For most people, getting burrs stuck on your clothes during a hike is nothing more than a nuisance, something to pick off and throw out when you get home. But for researchers at the Center for Engineering MechanoBiology, or CEMB, the hooks on these… Published May 24, 2023 at 09:00AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF Director Panchanathan speaks at University of Vermont commencement and receives honorary degree U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan delivered the address at the University of Vermont’s 222nd Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 21, 2023. The livestreamed event took place on the University Green and inspired… Published May 23, 2023 at 08:30AM Read more at nsf.gov

Can synthetic polymers replace the body's natural proteins? Most life on Earth is based on polymers of 20 amino acids that have evolved into hundreds of thousands of different, specialized proteins. They catalyze reactions, form backbone and muscle, and generate movement. But is all that variety necessary… Published May 23, 2023 at 07:50AM Read more at nsf.gov

Mind-body connection is built into brain, study suggests Calm body, calm mind, say the practitioners of mindfulness. A new study, partially funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, indicates that the idea of the body and mind being inextricably intertwined is more than just an abstraction. The study… Published May 23, 2023 at 07:50AM Read more at nsf.gov

New study uncovers spicy ancient history of chili peppers Botanists and paleontologists led by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have identified a fossil chili pepper that may rewrite the geography and evolutionary timeline of the tomato plant family. The U.S. National Science Foundation… Published May 22, 2023 at 07:52AM Read more at nsf.gov

Apes may have evolved upright stature for leaves, not fruit, in open woodland habitats Anthropologists have long thought that our ape ancestors evolved an upright torso to pick fruit in forests, but new research by scientists at the University of Michigan suggests a life in open woodlands and a diet that included leaves drove apes'… Published May 17, 2023 at 07:00AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF-NOAA partner to promote the creation of centers for modeling catastrophic impacts and risk assessment of climate change Whether you own a home, a business or other assets, insurance is an important part of any budgetary calculation involving protection of property. While the insurance and reinsurance sector are at the forefront of translating weather and climate… Published May 16, 2023 at 12:23PM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF selects Susan Marqusee to head the Biological Sciences Directorate The U.S. National Science Foundation has selected Susan Marqusee to head the Directorate for Biological Sciences. Marqusee is a Distinguished Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology and Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Chan… Published May 16, 2023 at 09:59AM Read more at nsf.gov

Carbon 'bank' at risk of failure Tropical rainforests store 25%-40% of global soil carbon, though they occupy only 7% of Earth's land area. By functioning as a carbon sink, tropical forests prevent more severe effects from climate change. A U.S. National Science Foundation-supported… Published May 16, 2023 at 06:55AM Read more at nsf.gov

'Magnificent' feathers reveal nature-inspired method to hold and store liquids An extreme closeup of feathers from a bird with an uncanny ability to hold water while it flies could inspire the next generation of absorbent materials. With high resolution microscopes and 3D technology, researchers at Johns Hopkins University and… Published May 15, 2023 at 08:08AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF Director Panchanathan joins Sen. Shaheen to tour the University of New Hampshire and its advanced manufacturing center On May 12, U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan joined Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) at the University of New Hampshire in Durham to visit the university and its John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center. While on site, they… Published May 12, 2023 at 01:49PM Read more at nsf.gov

This week with NSF Director Panchanathan This week, NSF Director Panchanathan underscored the importance of investing in future of innovative science and engineering research that will shape next-generation technology, the STEM workforce and jobs of the future. On Tuesday, during the second… Published May 12, 2023 at 12:31PM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF invests more than $43 million in NSF Regional Innovation Engines Development Awards The U.S. National Science Foundation announced the first-ever NSF Regional Innovation Engines, or NSF Engines, program awards to 44 unique teams spanning universities, nonprofits, businesses and other organizations across the U.S. states and… Published May 11, 2023 at 07:00AM Read more at nsf.gov

Beneath the Earth, ancient ocean floor likely surrounds the core Through global-scale seismic imaging of Earth’s interior, U.S. National Science Foundation-supported research led by University of Alabama scientists has revealed a layer between the core and the mantle that is likely a dense, yet thin, sunken ocean… Published May 10, 2023 at 07:21AM Read more at nsf.gov

Increased droughts are disrupting carbon-capturing soil microbes, concerning ecologists Soil stores more carbon than plants and the atmosphere combined, and soil microbes are largely responsible for putting it there. However, the increasing frequency and severity of drought, such as those that have been impacting California, could… Published May 09, 2023 at 06:23AM Read more at nsf.gov

Ocean warming intensifies viral outbreaks within corals The breathtaking colors of reef-building corals in part come from photosynthetic algae that live inside the corals. A three-year Rice University study has found that viruses may increase their attacks on these symbiotic algae during marine heat waves… Published May 08, 2023 at 07:23AM Read more at nsf.gov

This week with NSF Director Panchanathan This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan remained steadfast in ensuring that NSF investments harness the nation's vast and diverse talent pool to advance critical and emerging technologies, tackle pressing societal and economic challenges and… Published May 05, 2023 at 12:44PM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF Director Panchanathan remarks on 'CHIPS and Science Act' at Silicon Valley roundtable U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan spoke a Silicon Valley roundtable discussion at Mission College in Santa Clara, California, on May 5. The event was hosted by Rep. Ro Khanna, who welcomed the crowd before Director… Published May 05, 2023 at 11:33AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF partners with Sweden to advance research and innovation The U.S. National Science Foundation and Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding to advance research and innovation efforts aligned to each nation's priorities and to collaborate on research that advances solutions to pressing societal, national… Published May 05, 2023 at 10:02AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF announces 7 new National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes The U.S. National Science Foundation, in collaboration with other federal agencies and higher education institutions and other stakeholders, today announced a $140 million investment to establish seven new National Artificial Intelligence Research… Published May 04, 2023 at 06:00AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF Announces Seven New National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), in collaboration with other federal agencies and higher education institutions and other stakeholders, today announced a $140 million investment to establish seven new National Artificial Intelligence… Published May 04, 2023 at 06:00AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF Director participates in White House Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Summit U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan participated in the White House Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month (WHIAANHPI) Summit on May 3, 2023. The event took place at George… Published May 03, 2023 at 02:00PM Read more at nsf.gov

Most of world's salt marshes likely to be underwater by 2100 Cape Cod's salt marshes are as iconic as they are important. These beautiful, low-lying wetlands are some of the most biologically productive ecosystems on Earth. They play an outsized role in nitrogen cycling, act as carbon sinks, protect coastal… Published May 03, 2023 at 07:45AM Read more at nsf.gov

Rare view of the remnant of a supernova from the year 185 The image of the tattered shell of the first recorded supernova was captured by the U.S. Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera, DECam. The camera is mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation's Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at… Published May 02, 2023 at 07:18AM Read more at nsf.gov

Mathematical model provides bolt of understanding for lightning-produced X-rays In the early 2000s, scientists observed lightning discharge producing X-rays comprising high-energy photons — the same type used for medical imaging. Researchers could recreate this phenomenon in the lab, but they could not fully explain how and why… Published May 01, 2023 at 07:13AM Read more at nsf.gov