First-time, full-time graduate enrollment in STEM programs registering a 50% increase over the decade.
A new report from the National Science Foundation (NSF) finds that the number of Americans pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering has risen sharply over the past decade and stands at an all-time high.
Continue reading… “Enrollment in U.S. graduate STEM programs increased 50% over last decade”
The latest technological competition involves the idea of threading a single strand of DNA through a tiny, molecular-scale eyelet known as a nanopore.
Rapid DNA sequencing can provide enormous amount of information previously sequestered in the human genome’s 3 billion nucleotide bases and soon may become a routine part of each individual’s medical record.
Continue reading… “Rapid DNA sequencing could soon become a routine part of your medical record”
In an article in today’s New York Times, “A sharp rise in retractions prompts calls for reform,” Carl Zimmer documents and analyzes the sharp increase in the proportion of papers retracted in the scientific literature. From 2000-2009 the trend is disturbing (pictured above).
The article notes:
In October 2011, for example, the journal Nature reported that published retractions had increased tenfold over the past decade, while the number of published papers had increased by just 44 percent. In 2010 The Journal of Medical Ethics published a study finding the new raft of recent retractions was a mix of misconduct and honest scientific mistakes…
Continue reading… “Scientific retractions increasing exponentially”
A yellow slime mold’s map of the US compared to the map of major roads.
A yellow slime mold has invaded the world’s highways, spreading from capital cities to the furthest reaches of the transport network and devouring everything in its path. The infestation was unleashed by Andrew Adamatzky, a researcher of unconventional computing at the University of the West of England in Bristol, along with colleagues from universities around the globe.
Continue reading… “Slime mold follows the world’s highways”
Self-healing, squishy hydrogels
One of biology’s greatest tricks is the ability to heal–to repair oneself repeatedly and thus sustain damage repeatedly, and one that humans have been trying to replicate in synthetic materials for years. Now, bioengineers at University of California, San Diego, have done so via a hydrogel that could be something of a game-changer in disciplines like medicine and materials science.
Continue reading… “Self-healing hydrogels repair themselves after sustaining damage”
A hermit crab uses an anemone as a shell.
A strange and rare hybrid site in the deep sea where two extreme seafloor environments exist side by side has been discovered by scientists. They are home to a parade of weird hybrid creatures seemingly adapted to the hardships posed by both intense environments.
Continue reading… “Strange hybrid deep-sea creatures discovered”
The breakthrough discovery could revolutionize fertility treatment.
Researchers in the U.S. were able to isolate stem cells in a laboratory where they ‘spontaneously generated’ eggs which they say are capable of being fertilized.
Continue reading… “Stem cell breakthrough could give women an unlimited supply of eggs”
The United States lags well behind other advanced democracies, ranking just behind Turkey and Spain, when it comes to churning out young workers with college degrees in math and science, according to a new analysis.
Continue reading… “U.S. lags way behind in young workers with college degrees in science and math”
Scientists could soon be able to eavesdrop on the constant, internal monologs that run through people’s minds, or hear the imagined speech of those patients who cannot speak, a new study has revealed.
Continue reading… “Mind-reading device closer to reality translates brain activity into words”
Earth is alive.
A revolutionary new theory asserts that even so-called inanimate matter — DNA, water and planets included — are all alive.
Continue reading… “Revolutionary new theory says ‘inanimate’ objects also alive”
“Zombie” fly parasite causing decline of honeybee population.
A pile of dead bees was supposed to become food for a newly captured praying mantis. Instead, the pile of bees ended up revealing a previously unrecognized suspect in colony collapse disorder a mysterious condition that for several years has been causing declines in U.S. honeybee populations, which are needed to pollinate many important crops. This new potential culprit is a bizarre and potentially devastating parasitic fly that has been taking over the bodies of honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Northern California.
Continue reading… “Parasitic flies attack honeybees turning them into zombies”
Genes determine our perfume preferences.
You may love the scent of a particular perfume but someone else may find the scent repulsive. Our genes determine our perfume preference, a new study suggests.
Continue reading… “Perfume preference determined by our genes”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.