A team of NSF-funded researchers have developed a “viral detective” that uses DNA to not only detect if a virus is present, but if it is infectious. This new technique could also be applied to other viruses, by tweaking the DNA to target different pathogens. Learn more with NSF’s “The Discovery Files.”

The Discovery Files

Viral Detective!

La exposición prolongada a la luz azul en las bombillas LED se ha vinculado con cataratas, insomnio y cansancio. Investigadores financiados por la NSF en la Universidad de Houston están trabajando para reducir la cantidad de luz azul generada por las bombillas LED para mejorar nuestro sueño y proteger nuestra vista. Obtén más información con Los Discovery Files de la NSF.

Luz Azul

Hurricane force winds, storm surge and epic waves can be devastating to homes and other structures. An NSF-funded team of researchers are using scale models to study the extraordinary forces hurricanes generate and the structural damage they cause. Learn more with NSF’s “The Discovery Files.”

Scaling Up!

Durante muchos años, los científicos han sabido que los pequeños filamentos encontrados en un tipo específico de bacteria podrían eliminar y limpiar alrededor del 75% de los desechos radiactivos de uranio. Recientemente, un equipo de científicos financiados por la NSF descubrió cómo la capa de la superficie de esa misma bacteria podría actuar como una esponja y absorber los residuos radiactivos. Obtiene más información con "Los Discovery Files" de la NSF.

Atrapando Uranio

For years, many scientists believed the heat generated by buildings and roads made mammals living near cities get smaller. Yet, NSF-funded researchers proposed that cities provide shelter, readily-available food sources, and have fewer predators; having city-dwelling mammals growing larger than rural breeds. Learn more with NSF’s “The Discovery Files.”

Urban Beasts

Los herbarios son colecciones de especímenes de plantas. En los últimos 200 años, científicos han recolectado más de cinco millones de especímenes de plantas, almacenadas en múltiples herbarios. La digitalización de estas colecciones que un mayor número de investigadores, administradores de tierras, conservacionistas, y el público puedan estudiarlas. Ese fue el gran esfuerzo hecho por un equipo multi-institucional de investigadores financiados por la NSF. Obtenga más información con Los Discovery Files de la NSF.

Digitalizando La Biologia

Having known for many years that little wires found on a specific type of bacteria could zap and clean up some 75% of radioactive waste, recently a team of NSF-funded scientists learned how a coating on that same bacteria’s surface could trap and soak up the remaining waste like a sponge. Learn more with NSF’s “The Discovery Files.”

ZAPPING URANIUM

Los investigadores de la Universidad de Columbia han desarrollado un collarín robótico para ayudar a los médicos a analizar el impacto de los tratamientos contra el cáncer en la movilidad del cuello, y para guiar la recuperación del paciente. Las técnicas actuales que los médicos usan para evaluar el rango de movimiento en el cuello y los hombros que un paciente pudiera perder después del tratamiento, no proveen mucha ayuda, e identificar qué pacientes están en mayor riesgo representa un reto significativo. Por lo tanto, los investigadores están enfocados en hacer que el tratamiento del cáncer de cabeza y cuello ya no sea literalmente un gran dolor de cabeza.

SOPORTE ROBÓTICO

Prolonged exposure to the blue-tinted light in LED bulbs has been linked to cataracts, insomnia and fatigue. NSF-funded researchers at the University of Houston are working to reduce the amount of blue light generated by LED bulbs, improving our sleep and protecting our eyes as well. Learn more with NSF’s “The Discovery Files.”

Blue Light!

¿Qué nos puede enseñar una mangosta con tuberculosis acerca de cómo se propagan las enfermedades humanas?

Maniobras de Mangosta

An international team of scientists, funded in part by NSF, analyzed the average number of calories burned by more than 6,600 people, across 29 countries, ranging in age from one week to 95 years and learned that infants had the highest metabolic rate, burning calories faster than all other age groups. Learn more with NSF’s “The Discovery Files.”

METABOLIC AGE

NSF-funded engineers at Northwestern University are developing materials resilient enough to weather the forces of nature. This includes introducing nanoparticles into the manufacture of cement, making it smarter, more durable, tougher, and highly functional. They are manufacturing “smart cement.” Learn more with NSF’s “The Discovery Files.”

SMART CEMENT

Having reviewed a comparative study on mosquitoes, NSF-funded researchers are exploring why blood-sucking flies discriminate when it comes to selecting their hosts. They’ve learned it’s likely an attraction that might not even go skin-deep, but a community of bacteria that has taken up residence on the skin. Learn more with NSF’s The Discovery Files.

BATTY MOSQUITOES

Herbaria are collections of plant specimens. Over the last 200 years, scientists have gathered over more than 5 million plant specimens, stored across multiple herbaria. Digitizing these collections make them accessible for study by a larger number of researchers, land managers, conservationists, and the public. That was the herculean task taken on by a multi-institutional team of NSF-funded researchers. Learn more with NSF’s The Discovery Files.

DIGITIZING BIOLOGY

NSF-funded scientists are developing two alternative delivery methods for the COVID vaccine. Each can help us prepare to fend off potential future pandemics. They are using it to develop an inhalable vaccine spray, building immune system protection directly from the lungs, as well as a vaccine administered by the traditional shot.

Vaccine Spray!

An upbeat, entertaining look at the latest advances in science and engineering. Often fun and always fascinating, each episode covers a project funded by NSF -- federally sponsored research, brought to you by you!

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The Discovery Files

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