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.
![Photo of L. Curtis Hannah, plant molecular biology researcher at the University of Florida.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/hot_crops1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Heat-tolerant Crops Could Prevent Future Starvation and Help Preserve Biofuels With NSF support, plant molecular biologist L. Curtis Hannah is developing variants of key crops that will produce increased yields under heat stress Released
April 27, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of particpants climbing a tree.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/legis_aloft1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Changes in Altitude/Changes in Attitude: Scientists and Policymakers Share Views in the Treetops Excursion to a rainforest canopy creates a communication bridge between scientists and policymakers Released
April 13, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Randy Davis discussing his research on Weddell seals.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/outreach1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
More and More Scientists Serve Up Science for Mass Consumption Scientists use innovative, barrier-busting methods to educate the public and decision-makers about cutting-edge science Released
March 16, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Eight thumbnail images and 2008 in Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/2008_review_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
2008: Year in Review A look back at some of the NSF-supported advances and activities that made news last year Released
March 13, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a seed trap created by Rogers and her colleagues out of screen and PVC pipe.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/guam_birds1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Guam's Birds Gone: Can Forest Survive? With NSF support, a University of Washington graduate student and her colleagues use 'screen door netting and lots of PVC pipe' to study how the loss of birds affects the dispersal of seeds in Guam's forests Released
January 30, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of the diatom, <em>Stenopterobia curvula</em>.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/crimes1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Crimes to Climate History: Tiny Diatoms Offer Big Clues NSF-supported botanist Peter Siver of Connecticut College studies microorganisms that shed light on climate change dating back millions of years Released
January 7, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Cheryl Hayashi holding a spider.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/spider_silk1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Unraveling the Wonders of Spider Silk University of California, Riverside researcher Cheryl Hayashi closely studies spiders and spider silk to discover the elusive genetic blueprints for silk making Released
December 9, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a spiny waterflea.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/great_lakes1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Estimating the True Costs Of Invasive Species in the Great Lakes Graduate student John Rothlisberger describes his research to measure losses caused by non-native species that were introduced by ocean-going ships Released
December 1, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Daniel Bond holding Geobacter microbes.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/dbond_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Batteries Made of Bacteria? Researchers believe the energy produced by Geobacter microbes can be harnessed for electrical power, environmental remediation and biosensors Released
November 19, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Duke University Lemur Center director Anne D. Yoder with a Coquerel's Sifaka.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/yoder1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Islands: Exquisite Labs of Evolution Anne Yoder, director of the Duke University Lemur Center, and colleagues are using genetic and genomic approaches to unravel the history of lemurs and the primate family tree Released
November 14, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Thermal infrared image of Brazilian free-tailed bats in Texas.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/aeroecology1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
'Gone Bats' Over Aeroecology New scientific discipline studies bats, birds and other animals in atmosphere closest to Earth's surface Released
October 28, 2008
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![Photo of basmati rice before harvest.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/rice1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Using Your Computer to Grow More Nutritious Rice for a Hungry World Computational biologists use a powerful distributed computing network to research rice genome for increased yields of more nourishing rice varieties Released
October 14, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of dung beetle males examined in the study.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/bug_genitalia1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Size Trade-off: Horns vs. Copulatory Organs Indiana University biologist Armin Moczek explains his findings about the inverse relationship between horn and copulatory organ size in male beetles and how it affects species divergence Released
September 30, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of skeletal reconstruction of Majungasaurus, a Late Cretaceous dinosaur from Madagascar.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/mad_fossil1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
The Bizarre Creatures of Madagascar Paleontologist David Krause describes his search for the ancestors of mammals that live in Madagascar today Released
September 24, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a baby chimp and adult chimps.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/chimp_health1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Researcher Walks Among Dying Baby Chimps Virginia Tech scientist Taranjit Kaur describes her team's research studying chimpanzees in western Tanzania and the virus that is threatening the chimps’ health Released
September 9, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of roots hanging from the roof of a lava tube.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/petrels1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Bones in Lava Tubes Reveal Hawaii's Natural History Michigan State University's Matthew Cimitile describes a Hawaiian adventure exploring lava tubes in search of bird bones from endangered and extinct species Released
August 22, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Light photo of Mycena lucentipes, recently described from Sao Pãulo, Brazil.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/fungi1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
A Thousand Points of Light: Bioluminescent Fungi San Francisco State University Mycologist Dennis Desjardin Takes Readers Along on a Nocturnal Hike in a Brazilian Forest to Find Glowing Mushrooms Released
August 15, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Ilustration of a crater formed from the impact of a comet or asteroid in Chesapeake Bay.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/ches_impact1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Crumbling Walls of Ancient Chesapeake Bay Crater Threaten Regional Groundwater Supplies Saltwater intrusion into collapsing crater also allows microbes to flourish Released
August 12, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![AFM images showing two yellow molecules on a blue mica surface.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/mica1_l2.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.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/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![A conceptual view of a new pathway for methane production in the oceans.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cmore_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.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/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of rural China showing agricultural development and fragmented forests.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/china_conserve_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.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/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Diagram showing the key role the SUN gene plays in fruit shape.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/tomato_shape1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.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/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![American pronghorn male defending his harem.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/jb3_pronghorn_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.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/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of species-rich assemblage of fishes in the lower Congo River.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/congo_fish1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.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/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo shows Michael Goodisman using forceps to hold a yellow jacket.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/yellow_jackets1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.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/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a researcher collecting a sample at a mine for microbial analysis.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/mine_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Microbes to People: Without Us, You're Nothing! How tiny microbes run the world Released
April 21, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a microbial community known as a thrombolite.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/thrombolite_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
The World's Smallest Whistle-Blowers: Microbes Microbes warn of ecological damage Released
April 21, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of green-blooded lizard from New Guinea](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/new_species1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
New Species Found in Mysteriously Diverse Jungle Louisiana State University's Chris Austin describes his work studying the diversity of life on the island of New Guinea Released
March 17, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![2007 In Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/2007_review_text_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
2007: Year in Review A look back at some of the NSF-supported advances and activities reported last year Released
January 30, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration of a new way in which ocean water circulates through deep-sea vents.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/vents_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Quakes Under Pacific Ocean Floor Reveal Unexpected Circulation System Research upsets long-held view of volcanism-driven hydrothermal vents Released
January 11, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506113100im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
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