National Academy of Sciences

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

08/08/2026

It’s AND International Cat Day: the purr-fect time to explore the science behind our feline friends. 🐈

Why do cats love boxes? How did they evolve from wild predators to beloved companions? And what can our cats teach us about natural selection?

In a Q&A, and evolutionary biologist Jonathan Losos shares insights into feline evolution, cat behavior, and his journey from studying lizards to becoming a “cat scientist.” Inspired by his book The Cat’s Meow: How Cats Evolved from the Savanna to Your Sofa, Losos explores what research reveals about domestic and feral cats and how studying them can deepen our understanding of evolution.

🐾 Read the full Q&A: https://ow.ly/qnO950ZxNGv

08/06/2026

What makes a scientific theory testable?

In a new interview with Closer To Truth, and Nobel Prize laureate Saul Perlmutter explores one of the most intriguing questions in modern physics: whether the multiverse—despite being beyond direct observation—could become a scientific theory through surprising, testable predictions.

Perlmutter discusses how science can expand the boundaries of what we investigate while remaining grounded in evidence, experimentation, and discovery.

Watch the interview:

*Can a theory be scientific if we can never directly observe what i...

08/05/2026

The nomination deadline for the 2027 NAS Awards is two months away! 🏅

Interested in nominating a scientist for an NAS Award? Learn more about the nomination process, eligibility policies, and frequently asked questions with our video guide.

Watch now for a helpful overview, and visit https://www.nasonline.org/awards/how-to-nominate/ to explore nomination resources and learn how to recognize outstanding scientific achievement.