A Source of Great Pride

Awards for the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry and Economics
In two recent press statements, NSF Acting Deputy Director Joseph Bordogna congratulated the six Nobel Laureates for 1998, three in physics, two in chemistry and one in economics, for their remarkable achievements. The National Science Foundation has supported all six of the Nobel Laureates in these fields. "And when you look at the history of the Nobel Prize, it becomes a source of great pride that NSF -- which was established in 1950 -- has supported about half of the 95 U.S. Nobel Laureates in these major fields of science...and about 60 percent of the 30 Nobel Laureates in economics," Bordogna said.    More...

Volunteer Science Team Soars Toward Better Weather Forecasting
A volunteer team of scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), in Boulder, Colorado, and glider pilots from the Soaring Society of Boulder, spent this past spring exploring an elusive atmospheric phenomenon from a high-performance, hybrid aircraft called a motorglider. Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), the scientists are now analyzing what was learned about thermal waves -- the gravity waves that sometimes form above rising columns of warm air called thermals. Thermal waves, which have eluded thorough scientific measurement until now, may hold one key to better weather forecasts.    More...

Major Plant Genome Research Project Grants Renewed
Scientists will soon have access to the first complete genome sequence of a flowering plant. The National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), have funded two groups of researchers through renewal grants to continue systematic large-scale genome sequencing of the plant named Arabidopsis thaliana. The ultimate goal is to sequence the entire Arabidopsis genome and to determine the structure and function of every gene in this model plant. The combined three-year awards total $28.3 million.    More...

Top Scientists, Engineers Meet to Plan NSF'S 50th Anniversary
A select group of the nation's top scientists and engineers--called the Public Advisory Committee -- held the first of three public meetings to plan the 50th anniversary of the National Science Foundation. The National Science Foundation, the agency Congress established to promote and advance scientific progress in the United States, turns 50 in the year 2000.    More...