National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Influenza & Flu Vaccines
The biology of a flu virus, how it is spread, how it manifests itself in the human body, and how to protect oneself through vaccination and preventative practices are explained. [4:02]
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National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Predictive Policing
A grip of mathematicians at UCLA developed a computer program that helps Los Angeles Police practice what they call "predictive policing" where they make educated predictions about where crimes might occur. This allows them to distribute...
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National Science Foundation: Sustainability: Water Baltimore's Urban Streams
A scientist discusses her work studying the travel times of pollutants in waterways around Baltimore's Chesapeake Bay, which is on the brink of an environmental crisis. Her research team is trying to understand how this urban water cycle...
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National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Tornadoes
An atmospheric scientist explains how tornadoes develop in a supercell thunderstorm. The United States is particularly prone to tornadoes. [4:08]
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National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Bio Inspired Materials
The peacock mantis shrimp, which is actually a crustacean and not a shrimp, fascinates scientists due to the power of its small club appendage. It can hit with a force of 200 pounds although this animal is only four inches long....
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National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Allergies
A plant biologist explains what causes seasonal allergies to be worse some years than others, and how allergens cause a reaction in the human body. Factors that affect susceptibility to allergies are described, as well as the potential...
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National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Quantum Computing
John Preskill, a theoretical physicist, explains what quantum computing is, and how it may revolutionize the future of computers. These computers are microscopic, yet millions of times faster than what is possible today. He describes the...
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National Science Foundation: Science of Nhl Hockey: Vectors
Explains why passing the puck in ice hockey is such an important skill. The puck is an example of a velocity vector and vectors can be added to determine the direction and speed of the puck. [4:28]
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National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Extrasolar Planets
Astronomers are able to map distant extrasolar planets that orbit stars other than the Sun. They mainly use two methods - the Doppler and the Transit methods. [4:35]
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National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Drug Resistant Bacteria
With antibiotic drugs becoming less and less effective, scientists are looking for new sources of disease-fighting medicines, and they are looking towards nature for them. [4:46]
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National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Impacts on Jupiter
Looks at research astronomers are doing in order to understand what happens when comets hit Jupiter, so we can learn what might happen on Earth if something similar occurred. [4:52]
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National Science Foundation: Science Behind the News: Crowdsourcing
A computer scientist explains how crowdsourcing works and how it is being used to tackle massive projects, such as digitizing books, translating websites, and determining the structure of a protein. Crowdsourcing is favoured over...
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National Science Foundation: Science of Innovation: 3 D Printing
Printing in three dimensions allows people to create prototypes of ideas they create on a computer. The applications of this technology are widespread, from science and medicine, to architecture, to the home enthusiast, etc. [5:06]
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National Science Foundation: Science of Nhl Hockey: Work, Energy & Power
In order to generate a 100 mile-per-hour (160 kph) slapper, NHL players depend on three important physics concepts: work, energy and power. [5:15]
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National Science Foundation: Science of Innovation: Biometrics
In the field of biometrics, the vein patterns in the eye whites are mapped for human identification purposes. The method could be used for driving licenses, passports, or other applications. [5:19]
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National Science Foundation: Science of Innovation: Fuel Cell Efficiency
Scientists are working on trying to make fuel cells as efficient as possible using nanotechnology. The explanations are accompanied by helpful diagrams. [5:20]
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National Science Foundation: Science of Innovation: Biofuels
Scientists are investigating how to use a marine bacterium called Saccharophagus degradans in biofuels. [5:22]
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National Science Foundation: Science of Nhl Hockey: Reflexes & Reaction Time
An NHL goalie relies on his brain even more than his equipment in order to stop a puck with split-second timing. How a goalie does that is described in this video. [5:26]
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National Science Foundation: Science of Nhl Hockey: Newton's Three Laws of Motion
Scientists explain how Newton's Three Laws of Motion manifest themselves in a game of hockey. [5:32]
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National Science Foundation: Science of Innovation: Electronic Tattoo
An electronic tattoo can attach right to the skin and continuously monitor a person's health. It came about as a collaboration between two scientists from different fields of expertise. Its adhesive properties were inspired by a gecko's...
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National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Olympic Motion
Dan Fletcher, a bioengineer, studies the movement of cells in the human body. He explains that it is practice that causes muscles to organize themselves for peak performance in an athlete. [5:39]
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National Science Foundation: Science of Innovation: Synthetic Diamonds
Scientists value diamond for its unique properties and some researchers can only use diamond in their experiments. Scientists have been able to create a new type of synthetic diamonds that are larger and have properties that can be...
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National Science Foundation: Science of Nhl Hockey: Statistics & Averages
In order to be the best at their game, an NHL goalie must understand the statistics of their performance, and of their competition, e.g., the goalie save percentage and the goals against average. [5:56]
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National Science Foundation: Ocean Temperatures Changing Planet
Dr. Tony Knap, of BIOS in Bermuda explains how climate change is causing ocean temperatures to rise, and what impacts it may bring around the world. [6:05]