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.
![Eight thumbnail images and 2008 in Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/2008_review_l.jpg) |
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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/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a jellyfish swarm.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/monty_interview3_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Jellyfish Researcher Explains How and Why Jellyfish Swarms Form Why are large swarms of jellyfish and other gelatinous animals being reported in many of the world's popular fishing and vacation spots? Released
December 16, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/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/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/ches_impact1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/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/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of lionfish and other fish.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/lionfish_l.jpg) |
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Atlantic Coral Reefs Are No Match for This Lion Scientists detail the extensive damage to coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean caused by invasive lionfish species, warn of potential catastrophe Released
July 29, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/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/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cmore_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/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/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of the research vessel Pacific Storm.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/squid1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.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/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of the CTD/rosette that contains sampling bottles and instruments.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/desert_dust1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.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/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.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/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/ocean_connected1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.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/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo shows Gretchen Hofmann and Tom Crombia carrying out a "field repair" on the rover.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/rover_1_l.jpg) |
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High School Students Build Antarctic Submersible Two female high school graduates build an underwater, camera-equipped "rover" that can operate beneath polar ice Released
April 14, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![University of Hawaii researchers use taglines to control sway of sampling device entering water.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cdom1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Mysterious Compound Seen as Key to Ocean Life Scientists study chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) to gain a better understanding of life in the oceans Released
April 7, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![2007 In Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/2007_review_text_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/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/20090508010623im_/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/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/vents_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/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/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Aerial photo of ice cover on northern lakes](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/ice_cover_l1.jpg) |
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Winter Ice on Lakes, Rivers, Ponds: A Thing of the Past? Records over 150 years show trend toward fewer days of ice cover Released
January 10, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a shipworm](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/pedicellatus_l.jpg) |
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Clams Convert Air Into Food Trait no longer the domain only of plants Released
January 10, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of 3 crew members, "tag lines" and equipment on the ship's deck.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/071102teamworkdeck_l.jpg) |
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Life at Sea: An Oceanographer's Adventure Cassandra Lopez of the University of Miami reports that conducting research at sea can be an adventure, but it is always enjoyable and exciting Released
November 2, 2007
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of rock with arrow pointing to "black mat" of algal growth](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/kennett2_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Comet May Have Exploded Over North America 13,000 Years Ago Caused wooly mammoth extinction, global cooling and end of early human Clovis culture Released
August 14, 2007
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Circle hooks in longline fishing may adversely affect shark and marlin populations.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/longliner_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Sea Turtle Conservation Method Could Have Unintended Consequences for Sharks, Marlins Circle-shaped fishing hooks not a panacea for tuna, swordfish longliners Released
May 7, 2007
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![2006 in Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/2006inreview_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
2006: Year in Review A look back at some of the NSF-supported activities highlighted last year Released
January 9, 2007
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![California kelp forests](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/Kelp_sanc2_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
West Coast Kelp Forest Ecosystems At Risk Overfishing Has More Effect Than Nutrient Pollution Released
June 8, 2006
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![photo of flange on 18-story chimney](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/flange2_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Scientists Discover Secrets of 'Lost City' The Lost City hydrothermal vent field was discovered in December 2000 during an NSF-funded expedition. Lost City structures, including a vent 18 stories tall, are formed in a very different way than ocean-floor vents studied since the 1970s. Released
July 30, 2004
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Eleutherobia species of coral](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/eleuther_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Finding Cures from Corals A chemical that protects a rare type of marine coral from predators may also prove to be a potent medicine for humans in the fight against cancer. Released
July 18, 2003
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Generic Discovery Image](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/images/disc_generic.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Deeply Buried Sediments Tell Story of Sudden Mass Extinction Two international teams of researchers recover evidence of a large meteorite that impacted Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula 65 million years ago. Released
June 25, 2003
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508010623im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
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