Agencies

Light from dawn of the universe observed by Earth-based telescopes

Published: 16 June 2025
Categories: National Science Foundation

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

For the first time, scientists have used Earth-based telescopes funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation to look back over 13 billion years and measure how the first stars in the universe affected light emitted from the Big Bang. Using the NSF Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor (NSF CLASS) telescopes in northern Chile, astrophysicists have measured this polarized microwave light to create a clearer picture of one of the least understood epochs in the history of the universe, the cosmic dawn.

The NSF CLASS telescopes are uniquely designed to detect the large-scale fingerprints left by the first stars in the relic Big Bang light — a feat that previously had only been accomplished by instruments in space. The findings will help better define signals coming from the residual glow of the Big Bang, or the cosmic microwave background, and form a clearer picture of the early universe. The research is led by Johns Hopkins University and The University of Chicago and published in The Astrophysical Journal.

“No other ground-based experiment can do what NSF CLASS is doing,” says Nigel Sharp, program director in the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences, which has supported NSF CLASS for over 15 years. “The CLASS team has greatly improved measurement of the cosmic microwave polarization signal, and this impressive leap forward is a testament to the scientific value produced by

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FEMA to End In-Person Presence at Recovery Centers

Published: 13 June 2025
Categories: FEMA News

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

LAHAINA, MAUI – As Maui continues to heal from the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, FEMA continues to provide support on-island and remains available to survivors. As the demand for FEMA’s in-person services has diminished over time, FEMA will end in-person staffing at the two public-facing recovery centers on June 18 at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Kākoʻo Maui Relief & Aid Services Center in Central Maui and July 3 at the Lahaina Resource Center in West Maui. There are still many other ways to contact FEMA and wildfire survivors are encouraged to stay in touch.    

Current Recovery Center Locations and Hours

Kākoʻo Maui Relief & Aid Services Center located at 70 E Kaʻahumanu, Unit D-1 in Kahului. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. HST Monday to Friday.Lahaina Resource Center at the Lahaina Gateway, Unit 102-B (near Ace Hardware) located at 325 Keawe St. in Lahaina. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. HST Monday – Tuesday and Thursday – Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. HST Wednesday.

Both facilities, operated by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, will continue to remain open and offer support with building permits, legal assistance, interim housing, business support and more. 

In-person FEMA assistance was established August 16, 2023, and has continued for twenty-one months. During this time, survivors could work directly with

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Cholesterol crystal formation captured on video for first time, may lead to more effective treatments for high cholesterol

Published: 13 June 2025
Categories: National Science Foundation

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

With support from the U.S. National Science Foundation, researchers at the University of Houston have captured the dynamics of microscopic cholesterol crystal formation on video for the first time. Understanding these mechanisms could help scientists develop more effective treatments for managing high cholesterol, a condition that affects 25 million adults in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A better understanding of crystal formation could also enhance optoelectronics, which are electronic devices that work by controlling and sensing light.

NSF-supported researchers Jeffrey Rimer and Peter Vekilov are known for their work in crystal engineering and therapeutics that help prevent crystallization in human diseases. Their latest achievement shows the fundamental layered process involved in crystal formation in environments that mimic the human body. This is the first time anyone has taken images of the surface growth of cholesterol crystals in real time at near-molecular resolution. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Cholesterol Crystal Formation

Credit: D. Chakraborty, W. Ma, X. Wang, Z. Chu, T. Yang, M. Warzecha, P.G. Vekilov, & J.D. Rimer.

Scientists have captured the first ever time-lapse video of the layered growth of a cholesterol monohydrate crystal.

Cholesterol crystals can build up in blood vessels or the gallbladder, causing blockages,

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Be Alert to Fraud After a Disaster

Published: 13 June 2025
Categories: FEMA News

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma survivors should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after the fires and straight-line winds that began March 14-21. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.

If a FEMA inspector contacts you or comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If so, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you did not apply for assistance and receive a letter from FEMA, or if you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at  [email protected] or write to: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.

Scams

FEMA employees, housing inspectors and other officials work in impacted areas. They carry official identification badges with photo IDs. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.

Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment. They don’t represent FEMA.

Don’t

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