National Science Foundation

NSF invests $10.9M in the development of safe artificial intelligence technologies The U.S. National Science Foundation today announced an investment of $10.9 million to support research that will help ensure advances in artificial intelligence go hand in hand with user safety. The objective of the Safe Learning-Enabled Systems… Published October 31, 2023 at 11:00AM Read more at nsf.gov

Black holes feed faster than previously expected A Northwestern University-led study supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation is changing the way astrophysicists understand the feeding habits of supermassive black holes. While previous researchers have hypothesized that black holes feed… Published October 31, 2023 at 09:43AM Read more at nsf.gov

Scientists develop method to detect deadly infectious diseases Researchers funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation have developed a way of detecting the early onset of deadly infectious diseases by using a test so ultrasensitive that it could someday revolutionize medical approaches to epidemics. The test… Published October 31, 2023 at 09:41AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF announces $16M to strengthen and diversify artificial intelligence research capacity The U.S. National Science Foundation today announced the latest recipients of the Expanding AI Innovation through Capacity Building and Partnerships (ExpandAI) program. The $16.3 million investment seeks to advance artificial intelligence innovation… Published October 31, 2023 at 07:00AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF Statement on White House’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence "As the primary federal investor in non-defense artificial intelligence research, the U.S. National Science Foundation is driving cutting-edge research that is expanding our understanding of AI concepts and techniques, accelerating trustworthy AI… Published October 30, 2023 at 12:00PM Read more at nsf.gov

This week with NSF Director Panchanathan "NSF remains committed to investing in the scientists, engineers, inventors and students that will lead to the next generation of key innovations that unravel mysteries, solve pressing problems, and drive our nation's economic and national security."… Published October 27, 2023 at 12:47PM Read more at nsf.gov

Genetically modified bacteria break down plastics in saltwater Researchers have genetically engineered a marine microorganism to break down plastic in salt water. The modified organism can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a contributor to microplastic pollution in oceans that is used in everything… Published October 26, 2023 at 07:00AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF congratulates the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation recipients Today, President Joe Biden announced the latest recipients of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation — the nation's highest honors for achievement and leadership in advancing the fields of science, technology… Published October 24, 2023 at 10:49AM Read more at nsf.gov

Verbal nonsense reveals limitations of AI chatbots Artificial intelligence chatbots use large language models to generate responses that seemingly mimic the way humans use and understand language, but a new study shows that these models remain vulnerable to mistaking nonsense for natural language… Published October 24, 2023 at 06:44AM Read more at nsf.gov

New research explains "Atlantification" of the Arctic Ocean New research by an international team of scientists describes the causes for the stalled trend in Arctic Ocean sea-ice loss since 2007. The findings indicate that stronger declines in sea ice will occur when an atmospheric feature known as the Arctic… Published October 24, 2023 at 06:46AM Read more at nsf.gov

New report identifies pathways to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in key technology areas A network of universities funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation completed a yearlong, nearly $4 million pilot effort with the release of a report – Securing America’s Future: A Framework for Critical Technology Assessment – on how to enable… Published October 24, 2023 at 05:00AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF Statement on the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Regional Technology and Innovation Hub designees "The U.S. National Science Foundation applauds the U.S. Economic Development Administration on its announcement today of Regional Technology and Innovation Hub designees. Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act, NSF and EDA share a critical mission to… Published October 23, 2023 at 08:29AM Read more at nsf.gov

This week with NSF Director Panchanathan This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan reiterated the agency's mission and goals of diversifying the U.S. STEM workforce enterprise, recruiting and retaining new talent, and expanding partnerships and program collaborations around the world… Published October 20, 2023 at 12:43PM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF funds 12 projects to advance open and equitable research in the geosciences The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $10.4 million to advance open and equitable research in the geosciences, in alignment with the goals of the federal 2023 Year of Open Science. Through its new Geosciences Open Science Ecosystem (GEO… Published October 20, 2023 at 08:00AM Read more at nsf.gov

Scientists say deepening Arctic snowpack drives greenhouse gas emissions Human-caused climate change is shortening the snow cover period in the Arctic. But according to U.S. National Science Foundation-supported research led by Earth system scientists at the University of California, Irvine, some parts of the Arctic are… Published October 19, 2023 at 07:25AM Read more at nsf.gov

Research suggests natural selection can slow evolution, maintain similarities across generations Natural selection is usually understood in the context of change. When organisms deviate from the norm, they may gain advantages that let their lineages outlast those of their less-adaptable relatives. But U.S. National Science Foundation-supported… Published October 17, 2023 at 06:52AM Read more at nsf.gov

Broken by bison, aspen saplings have a tough time in northern Yellowstone In northern Yellowstone National Park, saplings of quaking aspen, an ecologically important tree in the American West, are being broken by a historically large bison herd, affecting the comeback of aspen from decades of over-browsing by elk. Findings… Published October 17, 2023 at 06:50AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF Director delivers remarks at Northeastern University's grand opening celebration alongside Members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation On Oct. 16, U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan delivered a keynote at the grand opening of Northeastern University's EXP, a state-of-the-art, 357,000-square-foot, energy-efficient research facility outfitted with labs… Published October 16, 2023 at 02:03PM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF Director Panchanathan joins Sen. Amy Klobuchar at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities for cross-sectoral roundtable On Oct. 13, U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan traveled to the University of Minnesota (UMN) Twin Cities, where he joined Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) for a university-hosted "Science, Innovation, and Workforce Development… Published October 13, 2023 at 02:15PM Read more at nsf.gov

Decades-long Arctic rivers study reveals widespread changes Research examining a 20-year record of water chemistry in the six largest Arctic rivers — the Ob', Yenisey, Lena and Kolyma in Russia, and the Mackenzie and Yukon in North America, which together capture two-thirds of the Arctic Ocean watershed area… Published October 12, 2023 at 06:30AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF congratulates laureate of the 2023 Nobel Prize in economics The U.S. National Science Foundation congratulates Claudia Goldin on her 2023 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. Her groundbreaking research has given new insights into women’s historical and contemporary roles in the labor market and reveals… Published October 11, 2023 at 09:02AM Read more at nsf.gov

New modeling method helps scientists understand extreme heat waves To prepare for extreme heat waves around the world — particularly in places known for cool summers — climate simulation models that include a new computing concept may save tens of thousands of lives. The concept, called "ensemble boosting," uses… Published October 10, 2023 at 07:09AM Read more at nsf.gov

New modeling method help scientists understand extreme heat waves To prepare for extreme heat waves around the world — particularly in places known for cool summers — climate simulation models that include a new computing concept may save tens of thousands of lives. The concept, called "ensemble boosting," uses… Published October 10, 2023 at 07:09AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF and the French National Research Agency sign a memorandum of understanding and announce two new lead agency opportunities On Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, the U.S. National Science Foundation and the French National Research Agency (ANR) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing an overarching framework to encourage collaboration between U.S. and French… Published October 05, 2023 at 09:06AM Read more at nsf.gov

Quantum computer unveils atomic dynamics of light-sensitive molecules Researchers at Duke University have implemented a new method to observe a quantum effect in the way light-absorbing molecules interact with incoming photons. Known as a conical intersection, the effect puts limitations on the paths molecules can take… Published October 05, 2023 at 06:30AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF congratulates laureates of the 2023 Nobel Prize in chemistry The U.S. National Science Foundation congratulates Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov on their 2023 Nobel Prize in chemistry. The laureates discovered quantum dots and a method for reliably producing them at a high quality. Quantum… Published October 04, 2023 at 10:46AM Read more at nsf.gov

NSF congratulates laureates of the 2023 Nobel Prize in physics The U.S. National Science Foundation congratulates Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L'Huillier on their 2023 Nobel Prize in physics. Their groundbreaking discoveries have given humanity new tools for exploring the world of electrons inside… Published October 03, 2023 at 10:41AM Read more at nsf.gov

AI helps robots manipulate objects with their whole bodies Imagine you want to carry a large, heavy box up a flight of stairs. You might spread your fingers and lift the box with both hands, then hold it on top of your forearms and balance it against your chest, using your whole body to manipulate the box… Published October 03, 2023 at 06:52AM Read more at nsf.gov