National Academy of Sciences

08/31/2026

A new NAS memoir honors Ira B. Bernstein, a monumental figure in theoretical plasma physics whose foundational contributions continue to influence the field.

During his career at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Bernstein developed influential theories describing the behavior of plasmas, including the waves that now bear his name, Bernstein modes. He also co-authored landmark work on magnetohydrodynamic stability and nonlinear plasma dynamics, research that remains central to understanding and advancing magnetic fusion.

Read the NAS memoir celebrating Bernstein's life and lasting scientific legacy:https://www.nasonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Bernstein-Ira-B.pdf

08/27/2026

Illegal markets take many forms, from human smuggling and money laundering to wildlife trafficking, illicit to***co, fi****ms, and drugs. But what can we learn by studying them through a common analytical framework?

A new PNAS Special Feature brings together research examining how these markets operate and what makes them distinct from legal markets.

By applying shared approaches across diverse forms of illicit activity, the collection offers new perspectives on illegal markets and how scientific research can help inform more effective public policy.

Explore the Special Feature: https://www.pnas.org/topic/581

08/26/2026

Who’s a good dog? Genetics may have something to say about that. 🐾

For , meet Elaine Ostrander, a geneticist whose research has helped establish the dog as a powerful system for studying genetics, disease, behavior, and evolution.

From the genes that contribute to the remarkable diversity of domestic dog breeds to those linked to breed-specific diseases, Ostrander’s work is helping scientists better understand our canine companions and human health. Her lab has a particular focus on cancer and other diseases that dogs and humans share.

In this video, Ostrander explores what mapping the canine genome has revealed about dogs, their evolutionary history, and even the instincts and behaviors written into their DNA.

🐕 Watch the interview:

In celebration of National Dog Day on August 26, the Academy is spotlighting NAS member Elaine Ostrander, NIH Distinguished Investigator and Chief at the National Human Genome Research Institute. Ostrander is a geneticist recognized for her work on advancing the dog as a genetic system for studies o...

08/24/2026

Born in 1916 was Melvin “Mel” Green, a pioneering geneticist whose six-decade career helped shape our understanding of genes and genomes.

Green had a deep admiration for Drosophila melanogaster—better known as the fruit fly—and believed that many of the fundamental principles of genetics could be traced to its study. Guided by the advice to “treasure your exceptions,” he screened enormous numbers of flies and used his remarkable powers of observation to uncover the unexpected.

His research led to important discoveries in genetics, including his seminal work on transposable elements in Drosophila. Beyond his more than 125 scientific papers, Green also inspired generations of students through decades of teaching at UC Davis.

Read the NAS memoir celebrating his life and legacy:https://www.nasonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Green-Melvin-M.pdf

08/20/2026

What if stopping malaria didn’t mean stopping mosquitoes? 🦟

On , explore new research from Flaminia Catteruccia, who is taking a different approach to malaria prevention: targeting the parasite inside the mosquito.

Catteruccia and her team have developed compounds that disrupt the malaria parasite’s mitochondria, preventing it from developing inside mosquitoes. The compounds can be applied to bed nets, allowing mosquitoes to encounter them as they land and potentially stopping malaria transmission before the parasite reaches people.

The approach is now moving from the laboratory toward real-world testing in Ethiopia, where researchers will evaluate treated nets during peak malaria season.

Read the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) story to learn more about Catteruccia’s work to develop new strategies for combating malaria: https://www.hhmi.org/news/antimalarial-bed-nets-malaria-parasite-mosquitoes

And for a deeper dive into her research, watch her Research Briefing from the 2025 NAS Annual Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUyMhAMCEGU&list=PLlKst-jESy-_QymwMrJiXpqj2XM3L6I-7&index=4

08/20/2026

What makes one mosquito capable of spreading malaria while another isn't? 🦟

For , we spoke with mosquito biologist and Nora Besansky about the remarkable diversity of mosquitoes, the devastating global burden of malaria, and how genetics could help inform new approaches to disease prevention.

Read the full Q&A here: https://www.nasonline.org/news/world-mosquito-day-qa-with-nora-besansky-understanding-malarias-most-vexing-vectors/

08/17/2026

At just 25 years old, John Gurdon made a discovery that helped transform our understanding of what cells are capable of.

A new NAS memoir recounts his life and his pioneering research demonstrated that differentiated cells retain the complete genetic repertoire needed to form all cell types of the body. His decades of work on nuclear reprogramming and Xenopus oocytes helped establish the foundations of modern cellular reprogramming.

Gurdon’s discoveries ultimately contributed to the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which he shared with Shinya Yamanaka, for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent.

The memoir celebrates not only his scientific contributions, but also his mentorship, support of scientific societies, and enduring commitment to research.

Read the memoir:https://www.nasonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Gurdon-John-B.pdf

08/13/2026

Want to keep up with new trends in science communications? Follow LabX on Substack! https://labxnas.substack.com/p/why-labx-is-on-substack

Why did LabX launch a Substack?

Because every project teaches us something.

Over the years we’ve experimented with bringing science into comedy clubs, kitchens, gaming events, social media, and creator collaborations. Along the way, we’ve learned a lot about what helps people connect with science—and what doesn’t.

Our new Substack is where we’ll share those stories, lessons, and behind-the-scenes insights with anyone interested in science communication.

Read our first post here:
https://ow.ly/XtfQ50Zwkak

08/12/2026

What can rare diseases teach us about treating common ones?

Join us next week for a Distinctive Voices lecture with Stephanie Cherqui of the UC San Diego School of Medicine on how research into rare genetic disorders is driving new approaches to gene therapy and opening new possibilities for treating disease.

Cherqui’s pioneering work on cystinosis has helped establish a novel stem cell gene therapy approach, and her lab is now applying these insights to other rare disorders, including Friedreich’s ataxia and Sanfilippo Type C. Her research is also revealing new ways that stem cell–derived immune cells can support tissue repair and neuroprotection.

Discover how research into rare diseases can spark transformative advances for more common conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.

📅 August 19
🕖 7 p.m. PDT
📍 Beckman Center, Irvine, CA — attend in person or virtually

Learn more: https://www.nasonline.org/event/distinctive-voices-how-rare-disease-research-is-transforming-medicine-through-gene-therapy/

08/10/2026

From insect physiology to human health, Bruce D. Hammock’s research transformed our understanding of biology, chemistry, toxicology, and therapeutics.

A new NAS memoir celebrates his five decades of interdisciplinary discoveries and innovations spanning agriculture, environmental health, and medicine.

Read here:https://www.nasonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Hammock-Bruce-D.pdf