NSF News
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…
Overwhelmed? Your astrocytes can help with that
A brimming inbox on Monday morning sets your head spinning. You take a moment to breathe, and your mind clears enough to survey the emails one by one. That calming effect occurs thanks to a newly discovered brain circuit involving a lesser-known type…
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…
This week with NSF Director Panchanathan
From testifying in front of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology to speaking about how partnerships and collaboration advance American innovation — this week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan reinforced the significance of NSF's…
NSF honors 3 early-career researchers with the Alan T. Waterman Award
The U.S. National Science Foundation has named its awardees for this year's Alan T. Waterman Award, the nation's highest honor for early-career scientists and engineers: Natalie S. King, a science educator at Georgia State University; Asegun Henry, a…
NSF, AACC announce Community College Innovation Challenge finalists
The U.S. National Science Foundation, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, has selected 12 teams to advance to the final round of the Community College Innovation Challenge, set to take place in June 2023. CCIC, now in…
Study sheds light on ancient microbial dark matter
Bacteria are literally everywhere — in oceans, in soils, in extreme environments like hot springs and even alongside and inside other organisms, including humans. They're nearly invisible, yet they play a big role in almost every facet of life…
3D radar scan provides clues about threats to iconic Alaskan glacier
A detailed "body scan" of Malaspina Glacier, one of Alaska's most iconic glaciers, revealed that its bulk lies below sea level and is undercut by channels that may allow ocean water to gain access should its coastal barrier erode. That makes the…
NSF Director Panchanathan delivers inaugural President’s Distinguished Lecture at the University of Missouri
U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan traveled to the University of Missouri to deliver the inaugural "President's Distinguished Lecture" on April 24, the first in a series that invites leaders of renowned research…
Statement by Director Sethuraman Panchanathan on the release of the National Semiconductor Technology Center Strategy Paper
"The events of the last several years have illustrated the immediate need to advance semiconductor design and manufacturing research, innovation, and workforce development in the United States,” said U.S. National Science Foundation Director…
In the tropics, woody vines make lightning more deadly for forests
Many tropical forests are experiencing increases in lightning and lianas, thanks in part to global change. This one-two punch is likely causing an increase in the death of small trees, which could lead to shifts in composition of tropical forests and…
Water quality researcher develops public tool for diagnosing health of America's streams
A model for predicting the levels of oxygen in water developed by West Virginia University engineer Omar Abdul-Aziz gives citizen scientists nationwide a tool for taking action on stream pollution. The model relies only on water temperature and pH, a…
Advancing artificial intelligence research infrastructure through new NSF investments
Today, the U.S. National Science Foundation has announced a $16.1 million investment to support shared research infrastructure that provides artificial intelligence researchers and students across the nation with access to transformative resources…
‘Alien’ comet 'Oumuamua's weird orbit may have surprisingly simple explanation
In 2017, a mysterious comet dubbed 'Oumuamua fired the imaginations of scientists and the public. It was the first known visitor from outside our solar system, it had no bright coma or dust tail like most comets, and had a peculiar shape — something…
Study on methane in deep-sea sediments shows small releases happen more often than thought
A team of scientists led by a Brown University researcher has developed a new method for monitoring when deep-sea methane deposits convert to gas and rise toward the seafloor in amounts that were previously too small to detect. The U.S. National…
NSF hosts government, industry leaders to discuss the future of 6G technology
On April 21, the U.S. National Science Foundation hosted leaders from across academia, industry, civil society, and government to discuss the future of next-generation wireless technologies and services and how it can advance economic and national…
This week with NSF Director Panchanathan
This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan testified for NSF at the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2024 budget hearing. The director reinforced the significance of…
This week with NSF Director Panchanathan
This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan testified for NSF at the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2024 budget hearing. The director reinforced the significance of…
Smart pills to help diagnose gut disorders
The idea of journeying inside the human body to solve health problems has been around at least since science fiction popularizations, but the approach to medicine has yet to become real. Now, researchers at Caltech have developed what they describe…
Smart pills to help diagnose gut disorders
The idea of journeying inside the human body to solve health problems has been around at least since science fiction popularizations, but the approach to medicine has yet to become real. Now, researchers at Caltech have developed what they describe…