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Check out our latest blog ✍️! Discover how the 13-year-long Vista Variables in the Vía Láctea Surveys shaped the careers of 5 NOIRLab scientists, while also fostering international teamwork 🌎 and enabling groundbreaking discoveries! Read here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e62uWU_Q #blog #science #astronomy

2024 Highlights (pt 3): It’s always exciting when a piece of work is picked up and shared with new audiences, and this year The Sentinel Self received some much-needed love, being shown in three different places across three countries! From the Fiber Festival in Amsterdam, to MESH Festival in Basel, and now at Kunstsilo in Kristiansand (where it will be on view until March 9, 2025), it’s been a fulfilling journey of growth and exposure for the work. The Sentinel Self was born out of my S+T+ARTS residency in 2022 and marked my first venture into the Unity game engine. The work was inspired by my conversations with two scientists—an immunologist and an ecotoxicologist—who were investigating the impact of microplastics on our immune cells. This research led to the creation of an ecosystem where cell-like creatures roam, struggling to maintain equilibrium as microplastics invade, confusing or even killing them. Each interaction in the simulation is unique, shaped by the programmed behaviors of the agents within it. Revisiting this work has felt particularly timely, as it deals with the tipping points of a system under pressure, which resonates deeply with my own thoughts and experiences this year. It’s a theme I’m eager to explore further in 2025 as I continue my residency at the Ecology Department at Radboud University. A highlight of this journey was working at Kunstsilo, where I was able to give the work the space and viewing experience it deserves :) Here’s a video produced by Kunstsilo, describing the two works, by Marpi Studio and myself, currently on view in their ‘S-Lab’! #ArtAndScience #Ecology #DigitalArt #Unity #Microplastics #EnvironmentalArt #Sustainability #InterdisciplinaryArt

#OceanDecade Activity: Deadline Extended to 17 June for the Call for OceanPredict'24 Symposium Pre-Registrations and Abstracts This symposium, organised by OceanPredict and UNESCO Ocean, aims to contribute to the Ocean Decade efforts through the Decade Collaborative Centre for Ocean Prediction led by Mercator Ocean International. The theme, “Advancing ocean prediction science for societal benefit,” brings together experts to engage in science sessions, exhibitions, and discussions to help shape the future of operational oceanography. The goals include: 🔵 Accelerating the evolution of operational oceanography. 🔵 Identifying the changing needs of users and enhancing service delivery. 🔵 Aligning OceanPredict's objectives with those of the Ocean Decade. 🔵 Advancing international coordination and community building for future ocean prediction capacity. 👉 Don't miss your chance to secure your spot. Pre-register and submit your abstracts by 17 June here: https://ow.ly/2vws50SbJ05

Exploring the Unseen: A Visit to Micropia Museum 🦠🔬 Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam is a unique treasure trove — Micropia, a museum dedicated to the vast family of microorganisms that surround us. Stepping into this space is like entering a hidden world, where the usually invisible beings become the stars of the show. What makes Micropia truly fascinating is its commitment to bridging the gap between us and the microbial world. Through interactive experiments and exhibits, the museum brings these tiny life forms into focus, making them tangible and relatable. Suddenly, the microbial universe becomes not just a scientific concept but a living, breathing reality. As you navigate through the exhibits, you can't help but marvel at the intricacies of the micro world. It's a reminder that, despite our differences, we share a common ancestry encoded in our ever-evolving DNA. Micropia serves as a gentle nudge to recognize the interconnectivity of all living things. One of the most delightful aspects of Micropia is its team — a group of passionate researchers and helpers who are not just guides but enthusiasts eager to share the wonders of the microcosm. Their warmth and knowledge add an extra layer to the overall experience, making your journey into the micro-universe all the more enjoyable. And speaking of microorganisms, at Plant-e, we also value the power of these tiny life forms. In our indoor experiments, we harness the energy generated by bacteria to power interactive displays, just like the one you see here illuminating this infoboard. Like Micropia, we aim to showcase the marvels of the microbial world and highlight its importance in our everyday lives. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just curious about the unseen world around you, a visit to Micropia is a unique and enlightening experience. So, next time you find yourself in Amsterdam, take a detour into the world of microorganisms — you won't be disappointed. 🌐✨ #MicropiaMuseum #MicroWorld #ScienceAdventure #EICAccelerator #EUEIC

A groundbreaking study published in PNAS unveils a fascinating pattern in the evolution of human societies. Researchers analyzing a massive dataset spanning 10,000 years and 30 regions discovered that a single dimension of social complexity can explain a significant portion of the variation in how societies are organized. This finding challenges the notion that each society follows a unique developmental path, opening new avenues for understanding the forces that have shaped human history. It highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration between the sciences and humanities in unraveling the complexities of our past. #SocialComplexity #HumanHistory #Evolution #PNAS #Research

#10years bridging science and society ✨ 📌2017: The Science Gateway project began to take shape. #Didyouknow that it took 6 years to conceive, plan, and construct the CERN outreach museum? The Science Gateway has been instrumental in spreading CERN’s spirit of scientific curiosity, and the foundation has played an important role in establishing solid partnerships with private donors to support the construction of this unique educational and outreach center. While science is commonly perceived by the general public as a complex topic, this center aims to make science accessible to everyone. 🧑🏻🔬🧪 🤔Have you already visited CERN Science Gateway? What did you like the most? Let us know in the comments! 👇🏻 #CERNandSociety #impact #anniversary #ScienceGateway

GREAT: 'No horses on Mars' is published and this moment being screened at Science New Wave is a(n): Movement // Lab // Festival // Archive // Organism // Collective // Ecosystem Scientific storytelling is increasingly and fearlessly experimenting in form and style. Scientific stories are becoming more personal and hybrid, tackling issues pertaining both to the individual and the world at-large. Artists, scientists, scholars, journalists and educators are working together to create singular narratives. The boundaries between data, cinema and the imaginary are dissolving. Similar to developing organisms, science films are emerging with new traits and new forms. The Science New Wave is born. ~ The Science New Wave is powered by the these two living entities: Imagine Science Films & Labocine. We also now have two physical spaces - the Science New Wave Lab in Brooklyn and the Galerie Labocine in Paris. #labocine

NSF is proud to announce that four NSF-supported researchers were awarded the MacArthur Genius Grant! The MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant honors the extraordinary talent, creativity and potential in recipients — scientists, writers, artists, teachers, entrepreneurs and more — by offering no-strings-attached fellowships of $800,000. Among the recipients of the 2024 "Genius Grant" are Vanderbilt University Keivan Guadalupe Stassun, a distinguished astrophysicist renowned for dedicating his career to expanding opportunities in STEM for underrepresented groups, Benjamin Van Mooy, a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution ocean scientist dedicated to studying the impacts that microbial organisms like plankton have on marine ecosystems, and two evolutionary biologists, Joseph Parker Caltech and Martha Muñoz Yale University, who are exploring the intricacies of species adaptation. These exceptional individuals are not only making significant contributions to their respective fields but are also actively working to create a positive impact on global challenges. Interestingly, each of them has a notable connection to NSF, underscoring the importance of their research in advancing scientific knowledge and addressing critical environmental issues. https://bit.ly/4f2eWaB 📷: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation/ Adobe Stock

#OceanDecade Activity: Final Call for OceanPredict'24 Symposium Pre-Registrations and Abstracts ⏰ Deadline: May 31 For this event, OceanPredict has partnered with UNESCO Ocean to contribute to the Ocean Decade efforts through the Decade Collaborative Centre for Ocean Prediction led by Mercator Ocean International. The theme, “Advancing ocean prediction science for societal benefit,” brings together experts to engage in science sessions, exhibitions, and discussions to help shape the future of operational oceanography. The goals include: 🔵 Accelerating the evolution of operational oceanography. 🔵 Identifying the changing needs of users and enhancing service delivery. 🔵 Aligning OceanPredict's objectives with those of the Ocean Decade. 🔵 Advancing international coordination and community building for future ocean prediction capacity. 👉 Don't miss your chance to secure your spot. Pre-register and submit your abstracts by May 31 here: https://ow.ly/GOF450RT5mi

27,000 Students Quadruple Denmark’s Knowledge on Water Bears! Wait, what are Water Bears?! No, they’re not cuddly creatures from the forest. Water Bears is the popular name for the incredible Tardigrades — microscopic creatures that can survive scorching heat, bone-chilling cold, crushing pressure, and even radiation levels that would send humans running. They are truly indestructible! Scientists are diving into the world of Tardigrades to tackle everything from fighting cancer to helping astronauts brave cosmic radiation in space. So, what’s the scoop on those 27,000 school students? Last year, an astounding 27,710 school students — from grundskoler and gymnasier across several Danish municipalities (including Bornholm!) — joined forces in a groundbreaking Citizen Science initiative called "Masseeksperiment". While the first Masseeksperiment kicked off in 2007, this latest event from 2023 was a game-changer — the largest ever to study microscopic life! These curious students ventured into nature, collecting 8,000 samples of mosses, liverworts, and lichens—members of a group of plants known as cryptogams. These samples were then studied to identify various species of these plants and, of course, their resident water bears! What did they find? A jaw-dropping 55 species of Tardigrades were identified, skyrocketing the knowledge from just 14 species. Thanks to this fantastic citizen science initiative, the number of Tardigrade species in Denmark has QUADRUPLED! And here’s the icing on the cake: According to a research paper presenting these thrilling findings, nine species might be entirely new to science! Citizen Science is the way to go The last time tardigrade diversity was studied in Denmark was way back in 1972! This citizen science initiative not only illuminated the rich diversity of these resilient creatures in the country but also made science a fun adventure for students. Additionally, 54 species of mosses and 44 species of lichens were discovered, including some rare ones, in the samples submitted by the students. Such citizen science initiatives can unveil more hidden species and enrich our biodiversity knowledge — especially crucial as we face a rapid loss of biodiversity due to climate change and deforestation. Dive into the exciting findings and explore the links in the comments. #Denmark #CitizenScience #Biodiversity #Nature #Science