NSF's public investment in science, engineering, education and technology
helps to create knowledge and sustain prosperity. Read here about the Internet,
microbursts, Web browsers, extrasolar planets, and more... a panoply of discoveries
and innovations that began with NSF support.
![Computer graphic showing quantum vortices formed when atoms expand for 50 thousandths of a second.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cold_temps1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Beyond Cold: How the World Works at Minus 459 Degrees Graduate student David McKay describes how atoms are cooled to near absolute zero for research using an approach called quantum simulation Released
July 25, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Jessica Alba and recipients of 2008 A.M.P.A.S Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/rfedkiw1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
The Man Behind Amazing Movie Simulations He may not be as famous as Johnny Depp or Jessica Alba, but Oscar-winner Ron Fedkiw creates 3-D models of liquids that have had a major impact on Hollywood and our lives Released
July 24, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Computer image of the CB[7] Ferrocene molecular container.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/molec_container1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Chemist 'Really Jazzed' About Creating New Molecules Lyle Isaacs talks about cool things that chemists do, such as his work to build new molecular containers that are as good as what is found in nature Released
July 18, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Todd McDevitt pointing to an aggregate of embryonic stem cells with blue-stained nuclei.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/stem_cells1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Stem Cell Research Goes Beyond Biology Todd McDevitt tells how engineering can help us understand stem cell differentiation and develop approaches to realize the potential of stem cells for regenerative therapies Released
July 17, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![A picture of the setting sun off the coast of Estonia and the letter "A."](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/baltica_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Cracking the Code of Images New software easily detects pictures' hidden messages Released
July 15, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![AFM images showing two yellow molecules on a blue mica surface.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/mica1_l2.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Researcher Says Life Evolved Between the Mica Sheets Biophysicist Helen Greenwood Hansma of the University of California, Santa Barbara, on the origin of her new hypothesis for the origins of life Released
July 14, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![A conceptual view of a new pathway for methane production in the oceans.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cmore_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Methane Formation in the Oceans: New Pathway Discovered Significant importance for study of greenhouse gas production on Earth Released
July 10, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of rural China showing agricultural development and fragmented forests.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/china_conserve_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Environmental Programs in China Successful, Study Finds Key reforms could turn them into world models Released
July 10, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of mountains in China that flank the Min River near the epicenter of the Wenchuan quake.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/china_quake_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Long Wait Before Next China Quake? May 12 earthquake rare and unexpected, geologists discover Released
July 10, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Striped fossil feather and recent woodpecker feather show melanosomes in dark, but not light, areas.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/fossil_feather_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Fossil Feathers Preserve Evidence of Color Organic material reveals remnants of color pigments Released
July 10, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Diagram showing the key role the SUN gene plays in fruit shape.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/tomato_shape1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
What's Behind the Crazy Shapes of Fruits Ohio State researchers discover and clone a gene that controls the shape of tomatoes Released
July 8, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![American pronghorn male defending his harem.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/jb3_pronghorn_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Beauty Is in the Genes of the Beholder New research on American pronghorns explains why not everything is about looks Released
July 3, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a California neighborhood devastated by a wildfire in October 2007.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/risk1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Why People Live in Wildfire Zones University of Oregon psychology professor Paul Slovic and other researchers offer insight into understanding risks in a democratic society Released
July 2, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Map showing regions where people have increasing contact with wildlife.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/emerging_diseases1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Predicting the Next Major Virus Peter Daszak, executive director of the Consortium for Conservation Medicine at Wildlife Trust, talks about the importance of research to better predict and prevent future devastating pandemics Released
June 30, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of the research vessel Pacific Storm.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/squid1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Scientists See Squid Attack Squid Oregon State oceanographer Kelly Benoit-Bird and colleagues succeed in using sonar to track Humboldt squid Released
June 27, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration of a supernova explosion.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/quark_star1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Not a Quirk But a Quark ... a Quark Star! Super-luminous stellar explosion observed via Caltech's Palomar Observatory, possibly resulting in a quark star Released
June 26, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of theoretical mathematician Graeme Milton.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/gmilton_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Cloaking Device Concept Moves Beyond Theory Applied mathematician Graeme Milton brings the dream of cloaking devices portrayed in "Star Trek" and "Harry Potter" closer to reality Released
June 18, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration of photocathode gun.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/photocathode_gun_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Brightest X-ray Vision at the Nano-scale Superconducting 'universal toolkit' for scientists, engineers will conserve energy, too Released
June 6, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a pile of coal in Gansu province, China.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/china_coal1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
My Research: I Burn Stuff U.S. graduate student Abigail Watrous on her research studying energy technologies and seeking practical and affordable alternatives to help developing communities reduce pollution Released
June 5, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of galaxy NGC 2770 showing location of star and lines from John Keats' poem.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/supernova1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
International Gemini Observatory Captures Birth of a Supernova Stellar discovery marks a new epoc in astronomical research Released
May 28, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of insect mine on a 53 million-year-old fossil from Wyoming's Bighorn Basin.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/bighorn_basin1_l2.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Hunt for Fossils Finds Warning for Warming Earth Graduate student Ellen Currano provides a glimpse of paleontological fieldwork, describing how she collects fossil leaves for research studying the effects of climate change on plants and insect herbivores Released
May 27, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of species-rich assemblage of fishes in the lower Congo River.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/congo_fish1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
The Freaky Fishes of the Congo American Museum of Natural History ichthyologist Melanie Stiassny takes us on a journey down the Congo River to explore its rich fish diversity Released
May 20, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of emperor penguins approaching field camp at Cape Washington, Antarctica](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/penguins1_l2.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
A Season at the Penguin Ranch in Antarctica A veteran Antarctic researcher talks about the whys and hows of studying the diving physiology and behavior of emperor penguins on the "Ice" Released
May 19, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo shows Michael Goodisman using forceps to hold a yellow jacket.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/yellow_jackets1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
How to Capture Yellow Jackets (and Not Get Stung) Georgia Tech assistant biology professor Michael Goodisman on the thrill of collecting yellow jacket nests and why he studies these dangerous but important social insects Released
May 14, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of surgeon Jon Wagner holding plastic casts of fractured jaws.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/jaw1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Engineers Create Better Fix for Broken Jaws Computer finite element modeling program used by University of New Mexico engineers in designing smaller and lighter plates for jaw repair surgery Released
May 13, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of the CTD/rosette that contains sampling bottles and instruments.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/desert_dust1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
How Desert Dust Feeds the World's Oceans Scientists sample dust and trace metals in seawater to learn more about climatic change Released
May 9, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Plot of genetic markers and world map graphic.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/ancestry1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Computer Program Reveals Anyone's Ancestry Researchers develop computer algorithm that can trace the genetic ancestry of thousands of individuals in minutes Released
May 5, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of the view from the driver's seat, or the "bridge," on the R/V Roger Revelle.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/ocean_connected1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
For Better or Worse, Modern Ocean Explorers Stay Connected Improvements in shipboard communications mean scientists can keep in constant touch, even when their research takes them to remote locations Released
April 28, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of woman resting her head on basket of laundry.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/housework1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Chore Wars: Men, Women and Housework Study confirms wives do most household chores Released
April 28, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Professor Israel Wachs with the combined Raman-Infrared spectrometer/microscope.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nanocatalysis2_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Scientist Explores Invisible Environmental Helpers Researcher uses his expertise in catalysis to impact major environmental issues Released
April 25, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106025608im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
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