Science360
ENGINEERS DESIGN NEW LEAD DETECTOR FOR WATER
Mechanical engineer Junhong Chen and a team at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, have developed what you might think of as a "canary in the coal mine" for lead in water. With support from the National Science Foundation, they...
Science360
BIOINSPIRED SOFT MATERIALS CENTER BLURS BOUNDARIES BETWEEN THE ANIMATE AND INANIMATE
Scientists at the Bio-inspired Soft Materials Center at Brandeis University are using fundamentally new approaches to study bioinspired soft materials, with the ultimate goal of developing new materials for artificial muscles,...
Science360
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH: LAUREN BIRNEY IS GETTING URBAN MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN RESTORING OYSTER HABITATS IN NEW YORK HARBOR
Research consistently shows that children who have opportunities to actively investigate natural settings and engage in problem-based learning greatly benefit from the experiences. They gain skills, interests, knowledge, aspirations and...
Science360
SEA SLUG BRAIN CHEMISTRY REVEALS A LOT ABOUT HUMAN MEMORY, LEARNING
As you can imagine, life is not very complicated for sea slugs. They use their brains mainly to find food, avoid becoming food and to reproduce. While the human brain and nervous system are wired with hundreds of billions of nerve cells,...
Science360
RESEARCHERS GAUGE IMPACT OF 'MAKER' JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERSERVED TEENS
Real-world problem-solving through "making" is a new and popular way to engage youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education, frequently in after-school programs. Unfortunately, not all youth are able to participate...
Science360
NEW INSIGHTS FROM TINY ROUNDWORMS
The tiny roundworm (C. elegans) is an important animal for brain research. It is transparent, so its neurons can be seen through a microscope. And its simple nervous system consists of just 302 neurons. Plus, the roundworm matures from...
Science360
EARLY CONCEPT BRAIN RESEARCH: CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS
Dopamine is a special chemical, neurologically speaking. The neurotransmitter is crucial for decision-making, learning, movement and more. Scientists know that varying dopamine levels affect neurons, but don't yet have a method to...
Science360
XROMM PUTS BIOMECHANICS ON THE FAST TRACK
The protective shells that have helped keep turtles around for millions of years have also kept scientists guessing about just what's going on inside. With support from the National Science Foundation, biologist Elizabeth Brainerd and...
Science360
GET A CLUE: BIOCHEMIST STUDIES FRUIT FLY TO UNDERSTAND PARKINSON'S DISEASE
In episode 61, Jordan sends Charlie on a scavenger hunt for "clues" on how National Science Foundation-funded researchers at Kansas State are studying the way muscle diseases affect humans. The researchers are studying the fruit fly and...
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ARTIFICIAL ORGANS GO FOR A SPIN
In episode 42, Jordan and fill-in co-host Laurie talk about cotton candy machines that have been repurposed to make artificial capillary networks. The artificial capillary system the researchers were able to produce using this method...
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THESE BIOBOTS SHOW SOME REAL MUSCLE
WARNING: THIS VIDEO HAS SCENES WITH FLASHING LIGHTS. The tiny BioBots engineered at one NSF-funded Science and Technology Center (STC) move a bit like inchworms, but they represent giant strides in science and engineering. They can be...
Science360
CANCER-CRUSHING QUEEN OF CRUSTACEANS
In episode 76, Jordan and Charlie explore research that packs a punch. A research team led by the Washington University in Saint Louis is building polarization cameras inspired by the incredible eyesight of the heavy-hitting mantis...
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PART OF THE PACK
In episode 13, Jordan and Charlie chat about the importance of a pack, discover a new antibody that may combat urinary tract infections and chase down storms with Doppler on Wheels.
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CONTACT LENSES THAT CAN TALK TO YOUR PHONE
In episode 74, Jordan and Charlie investigate interscatter communications, a new way of wireless communications developed by researchers at the University of Washington. Interscatter communication lets devices like brain implants,...
Science360
BIOTECH'S FUTURE: NEW DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR PRESCRIPTION EYE DRUGS
Jade Therapeutics, a small business with funding from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research program, is solving a problem that has persisted in the ophthalmology and pharmacology industries for years:...
Science360
NEEDLES THAT HIT THE RIGHT MARK
In episode 66, Charlie and Jordan talk about a new sensor that could help anesthesiologists better place needles for epidurals and other medical procedures. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology designed and tested...
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NUCLEAR CSI
In episode 73, Jordan and Charlie investigate a new procedure developed by researchers at the University of Missouri that could be used to identify individuals exposed to uranium within the past year. Scientists and homeland security...
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IMPROVING MOBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH PROSTHETIC LIMBS
Engineering researchers funded by the National Science Foundation have developed a technique that could help improve mobility for millions of people who use prosthetic limbs and exoskeletons to walk. The team, led by Steve Collins of...
Science360
SCIENTISTS CREATE ICE STORMS TO STUDY NATURE'S CHILLY RESPONSE
Anyone who has ever driven in freezing rain knows all too well the potential hazards of an ice storm. These powerful winter weather events are also capable of catastrophic ecological and socio-economic impacts on forest ecosystems,...
Science360
NSF SCIENCE NOW: EPISODE 50
In this week's episode, we learn how AI uncovers insights into cancer, how loops give toughness to spider silk, a newly released database of stars and finally, we investigate a novel water testing technique. Check it out! Provided by the...
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THE ISLAND RULE
In episode 18, Jordan and Charlie chat about the island rule, how spiral galaxies get their shape and the small brains in social wasps. Provided by the National Science Foundation
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BIG IDEAS FOR FUTURE NSF INVESTMENTS
Six research "big ideas" that will drive important aspects of the National Science Foundation's long-term research agenda, push forward the frontiers of US science and engineering research, and lead to new discoveries and innovations.
Science360
RESEARCHERS TACKLE TORNADOES!
Twelve hundred tornadoes rip through U.S. towns every year, causing injuries, fatalities and billions in damage. An NSF-funded research team at the University of Oklahoma's Advanced Radar Research Center hopes that their radar simulator...
Science360
SCIENCE SCORES WITH NEW MOUTH GUARD TECHNOLOGY
Research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) has solved a major complaint from athletes--uncomfortable mouth guards. In fact, the new SISU sports mouth guards are also more shock absorbent and practical. They're made by...