The U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) are teaming up to advance foundational research in agricultural robotics. The agencies are issuing a new Dear… ​The U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) …

NSF and USDA join forces to boost innovation in agricultural robotics Read More »

AI companies are trying to impose safety measures on their chatbots, while researchers are finding ways around them all the time. Where will this end, asks Alex Wilkins ​AI companies are trying to impose safety measures on their chatbots, while researchers are finding ways around them all the time. Where will this end, asks Alex …

Why curbing chatbots’ worst exploits is a game of whack-a-mole Read More »

Intensive breeding since the 19th century has created thousands of varieties of rose, but a reduction in genetic diversity could leave them vulnerable to diseases and climate change ​Intensive breeding since the 19th century has created thousands of varieties of rose, but a reduction in genetic diversity could leave them vulnerable to diseases and climate …

Modern rose hybrids have a worrying lack of genetic diversity Read More »

The U.S. National Science Foundation has made a $20 million award to support the creation of the National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences (NCEMS). The center will combine vast amounts of available data on… ​The U.S. National Science Foundation has made a $20 million award to support the creation of …

New center supported by NSF will catalyze data-driven insights in molecular and cellular biosciences Read More »

When fetuses and babies were exposed to sound stimuli, their brains’ subsequent electrical activity appeared to be more complicated in the females than the males ​When fetuses and babies were exposed to sound stimuli, their brains’ subsequent electrical activity appeared to be more complicated in the females than the males When fetuses and babies were exposed …

Brain activity seems to be more complex in baby girls than boys Read More »

Cancer has been one of the world’s most feared diseases for decades. But this “cancerphobia” no longer matches the evidence and is doing great harm, argues David Ropeik ​Cancer has been one of the world’s most feared diseases for decades. But this “cancerphobia” no longer matches the evidence and is doing great harm, argues David …

Why we need to modernise our emotional relationship with cancer Read More »

More than 1.4 billion people live in India, giving its healthcare system a major role in planetary well-being. In the past 10 years, prime minister Narendra Modi has worked to improve India’s healthcare, but there is still much work to be done ​More than 1.4 billion people live in India, giving its healthcare system a …

India’s healthcare system falls short despite Modi’s improvements Read More »

India currently has a fairly small chip-manufacturing industry, but prime minister Narendra Modi wants the country to become a dominant player in the sector in just a few years ​India currently has a fairly small chip-manufacturing industry, but prime minister Narendra Modi wants the country to become a dominant player in the sector in just …

Can India build a world-leading computer chip industry from scratch? Read More »

Investigators have uncovered a way to unleash in blood vessels the protective effects of a type of fat-related molecule known as a sphingolipid, suggesting a promising new strategy for the treatment of coronary artery disease. ​Investigators have uncovered a way to unleash in blood vessels the protective effects of a type of fat-related molecule known …

Solving the riddle of the sphingolipids in coronary artery disease Read More »