National Science Foundation authorizes $29M for initial plan for underground lab in western SD

The National Science Foundation has authorized about $29 million to develop a preliminary plan to turn a 1 1/2-mile-deep former gold mine in western South Dakota into the world’s deepest laboratory.

Pentagon stats: Women much more likely to be discharged under ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ than men

SAN FRANCISCO — Pentagon officials won’t speculate why women in uniform are more likely to be discharged from the armed services under “don’t ask, don’t tell,” but critics of the policy say that new figures reflect deep-seated sexism in the armed forces.

European Commission wants total overhaul of research policy to close gap with US, others

BRUSSELS — European authorities and industry must increase funding for scientific research and improve cooperation to try to close the technology gap with the United States, the European Commission said Tuesday.

Obama says $5B in stimulus grants from NIH will help research cures for cancer, diseases

BETHESDA, Md. — Calling scientific research a job-creating engine, President Barack Obama heralded $5 billion in new government grants Wednesday to fight cancer, autism and heart disease while boosting the economy.

Fort Detrick head to review panel: Safety a priority for new biodefense lab under construction

FREDERICK, Md. — A $680 million laboratory building under construction at Fort Detrick will likely be safer than the decades-old complex it will replace, an Army biodefense official told a scientific review panel Tuesday.

Police in killing of Yale University graduate student stake out Conn. hotel room

CROMWELL, Conn. — Police say they’re watching a hotel room in Connecticut where a “person of interest” in the killing of a Yale University graduate student has been staying.

5 scientists honored for life-saving leukemia treatment, research in creating stem cells

NEW YORK — Five scientists have won prestigious research awards for developing a life-saving leukemia treatment and for advances in “reprogramming” DNA, which led to a new kind of stem cell.

Smithsonian chief sweeps up the ‘nation’s attic,’ hopes to create education powerhouse

WASHINGTON — Wayne Clough pulls a thumb-sized computer flash drive from his pocket and marvels at how many of the Smithsonian Institution’s millions of objects can be captured on it.

Arctic warmest in 2,000 years, reversing long-term cooling trend in the region

WASHINGTON — The Arctic is warmer than it’s been in 2,000 years, even though it should be cooling because of changes in the Earth’s orbit that cause the region to get less direct sunlight. Indeed, the Arctic had been cooling for nearly two millennia before reversing course in the last century and starting to warm as human activities added greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Ex-top NASA employee found guilty of violating ethics laws by steering $9.6 million to client

WASHINGTON — A former top NASA official was found guilty Thursday of breaking ethics laws by helping a consulting client get nearly $10 million of the space agency’s funds.

South Africa launches AIDS vaccine trial in shadow of revelations of funding cuts

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa launched a high-profile trial of an AIDS vaccine created by its own researchers Monday, a proud moment in a nation where government denial, neglect and unscientific responses have helped fuel the world’s worst AIDS crisis.

Crews begin work on world’s deepest underground science lab in quest to understand dark matter

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Far below the Black Hills of South Dakota, crews are building the world’s deepest underground science lab at a depth equivalent to more than six Empire State buildings — a place uniquely suited to scientists’ quest for mysterious particles known as dark matter.