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.
![Woman cooking over an open fire](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cookingup1_l.jpg) |
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Cooking Up Clean Air in Africa Reducing air pollution and meningitis risk in Ghana Released
January 3, 2013
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a father holding a baby.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/baby_language1_l.jpg) |
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Six-month-old Word Learners Study of infants challenges developmental sequence of human language learning Released
March 8, 2012
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image of a wolf howling in the forest.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/soundscape1_l.jpg) |
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Studying Nature's Rhythms: Soundscape Ecologists Spawn New Field Listen to biophony, geophony, anthrophony: the 'music' of Planet Earth Released
February 6, 2012
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a hunter enlarging a burrow and his dog at other burrow end and the words Photo Gallery.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/hunting_dogs1_l.jpg) |
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Older Is Better for Hunting Dogs Research examines key demographic variables of Nicaraguan canines Released
January 17, 2012
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image of seated child with three cyberbullies each with belt lock rising from her laptop.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cyberbullying3_l.jpg) |
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Foiling the Plan of a Cyberbully Researchers suggest listening to students to craft prevention policies Released
November 22, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration showing a depressed child holding a tablet with 3 cyberbullies coming out of tablet.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cyberbullying2_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Recognizing a Cyberbully Anonymous nature of digital aggression clouds identities of virtual bullies Released
November 15, 2011
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![Illustration showing a depressed child holding a tablet with 3 cyberbullies coming out of tablet.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cyberbullying_l.jpg) |
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Defining a Cyberbully Social scientists struggle to characterize new form of harassment Released
November 8, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Turkana warriors.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/warfare1_l.jpg) |
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Warfare Reveals Reasons People Cooperate Research shows large-scale cooperation may have begun with fear of punishment Released
July 27, 2011
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![Horizontal and vertical words in red, blue and green.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/words_l.jpg) |
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Why Context Matters in the Long and Short of Words MIT researchers improve 75-year-old language theory Released
June 17, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image of nighttime lights visible on earth from outer space.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/earth_lights_l.jpg) |
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Nighttime Lights Clarify Economic Activity Combining lights and statistics may yield high-resolution global economic data Released
June 10, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Aisha Sohail, Heather Ames and Jasmin Leveille running simulations of artificial visual system.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/artificial_brain_l.jpg) |
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Transforming Robotics With Biologically Inspired Learning Models Aisha Sohail describes the Neuromorphics Lab at CELEST and the work of building artificial brains to be used in robotics Released
June 10, 2011
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![Optical micrograph showing an array of graphene transistors prepared on silicon carbide.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/graphene1_l1.jpg) |
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Miracle Material Two-dimensional graphene may lead to faster electronics, stronger spacecraft and much more Released
May 19, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image of researcher Robert Walker on left and project manager Eugenio Arima on right.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/robert_walker_l1.jpg) |
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Journey to the Center of the Amazon Researchers journey along the Transamazon Highway to learn about deforestation and the logging industry Released
May 4, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Images of the top and front of hominin skulls.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/human_ancestor_l.jpg) |
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Researchers Consider Ancestry of Recent Fossil Finds Thought experiment stresses consequences of placing newly discovered fossils on human family tree Released
March 16, 2011
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![Photo of a mother-son orangutan pair housed at Zoo Atlanta.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/orangutans1_l.jpg) |
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Orangutans in the Mist Cheryl Knott's NSF-supported work helps us understand why orangutans require protection and conservation Released
February 9, 2011
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![Image showing a toddler looking toward a toy and away from a metallic robot.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/baby_gaze1_l.jpg) |
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Babies Learn From Robots While Robots Learn From Babies Interdisciplinary research combines infant learning and computer science Released
November 18, 2010
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![Photo of Adriana Galván, a researcher at UCLA.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/stress_l1.jpg) |
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Stressed Out: Teens and Adults Respond Differently UCLA neuroscientist Adriana Galván studies the impact of normal, everyday stress and associated stress hormones on adolescents' brain function and decision making Released
September 3, 2010
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![Photo of a soccer player's foot on the ball.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/soccer_ball_l.jpg) |
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Soccer Stars Ranked Using Statistics Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a computer program that objectively measures player performance; the research method also could be used by companies to measure the performance of employees on project teams Released
July 8, 2010
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![Photo of a bonobo named Mimi, the alpha female, having a little down time.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/bonobo1_l.jpg) |
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Humans Have a Lot to Learn From Bonobos, Scientists Say Duke University Assistant Professor Brian Hare and colleagues study the behavior of bonobos, apes that are genetically close to humans Released
May 12, 2010
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![The New York Stock Exchange, focal point of the 2008 Stock Market crash.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nova_l1.jpg) |
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New PBS Television Program Highlights NSF-funded Economics Research NOVA's "Mind Over Money" examines 2008 stock crash Released
April 20, 2010
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![Photo showing a lineup of potential perpetrators.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/eyewitness_id_l.jpg) |
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Re-Examining Eyewitness Identifications Scientists are trying to determine why errors in eyewitness identifications occur, and how to prevent these errors Released
April 16, 2010
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![Image of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), taken with a scanning electron microscope.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/hiv1_l.jpg) |
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The Invisible AIDS Victims: How Women Cope Northwestern University associate professor Celeste Watkins-Hayes studies women with HIV/AIDS and the economic resources that help them effectively manage their health Released
January 14, 2010
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![Reconstruction of the tarpan, or wild European horse, Equus ferus.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/horse1_l1.jpg) |
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Finding the First Horse Whisperers Sandra Olsen of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History describes how she and her colleagues, with support from NSF, discovered evidence of the early beginnings of horse domestication in Kazakhstan Released
January 4, 2010
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![Photo of Andrew Meltzoff](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/learning1_l.jpg) |
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The New Science of Learning Researchers find social aspects of learning important at all ages Released
September 11, 2009
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![A real scan of a human brain.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/brain_l1.jpg) |
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Unlocking the Secrets and Powers of the Brain Leading minds in neuroscience discuss what we know about how our brains work and where the field is headed Released
June 15, 2009
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![A photo of a violinist practicing.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/music_training1_l.jpg) |
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Fine-tuned Brains New research shows how musical training enhances an individual's ability to recognize emotion in sound Released
April 10, 2009
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![Eight thumbnail images and 2008 in Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://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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![Photo of logs that were from cut from the Amazonian rainforest.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/deforestation1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Amazon Deforestation: Earth's Heart and Lungs Dismembered NSF-supported researchers explore the links between globalization, deforestation of Brazil’s Amazon region and the country’s dynamic cattle economy Released
January 23, 2009
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![A drawing of Mahatma Gandhi on the wall separating the West Bank from Israel.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/conflict_res1_l.jpg) |
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Respect for Sacred Values is Key to Conflict Resolution Ethical and religious beliefs can trump material gains in motivating human behavior Released
January 7, 2009
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![Illustration of a fleeing crowd of artificial agents.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225145712im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/crowded_world1_l.jpg) |
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A Crowded World Researchers use computer scenarios to study crowd behavior in time and space Released
December 18, 2008
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