"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
-Carl Sagan, American astronomer (1934–1996)
Learning about “something incredible” through science is one of the greatest things about being a scientist. And scientists appreciate that about their profession. As one says in this issue, science “provides an infinite source of challenging problems to fit every taste and passion, and it inspires us to work hard to understand our world.”
Unlocking the mysteries of nature has always been at the heart of science, but scientists today enjoy unparalleled opportunities to leverage technology in solving challenging problems. However, the increased use of ever-more sophisticated technology comes with a price tag. Scientific research now requires bigger teams, more money and more international cooperation. And it demands years of interdisciplinary study and collaboration by young scientists.
This issue of eJournal USA explores how science is conducted in the 21st century: How the Internet and other technologies are helping shape both the questions pursued by scientists and the ways in which scientists interact and share new knowledge. It also highlights some of the remarkable progress already achieved by younger scientists in understanding the genesis of disease, our place in the universe and the circuitry of the brain. Their scientific pursuits expand the horizons of human knowledge and hold promise for improving the lives of people today and far into the future.