Neel V. Patel

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Neel V. Patel

It's already hard enough to establish yourself as a young scientist. The average age for researchers to receive their first N.I.H. grant has increased since 1995, and is now over 40 years old. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds will especially find it challenging to make a career in science work, now that grants meant to help them are being dissolved.

Nov 22, 2024 | nytimes.com | Neel V. Patel

Donald Trump recently asked Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head what he called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, an unofficial initiative for reducing the size of the federal government. It's not going to be a real department, but its informal advice could guide the budget-cutters at the White House and in Congress.

Aug 24, 2023 | thedailybeast.com | Neel V. Patel

We've all seen some version of the image of a polar bear stranded in the middle of the sea on a piece of floating ice-a stark illustration of the effects of climate change as hotter temperatures ravage the Arctic. But some new research wants to remind us to not forget the penguins. The iconic birds are having a rough go of things as well-perhaps worse than we thought.

Aug 23, 2023 | thedailybeast.com | Neel V. Patel

People who have been robbed of their ability to talk to others due to paralysis caused by conditions like stroke or ALS no longer seem destined to permanent silence. This is thanks to implants that read the brain's electrical impulses and translate them into thoughts that can be communicated to those on the outside. A pair of new studies published in Nature on Wednesday have moved us forward in this endeavor in very groundbreaking ways.

Aug 17, 2023 | thedailybeast.com | Neel V. Patel

It's not every day scientists glimpse a new kind of star, but today is one of those days: Researchers with the European Southern Observatory (ESO) have announced the discovery of a new type of star that seems to be the missing link between a normal "living" star and a magnetar-super dense dead stars that exhibit ultra-powerful magnetic fields. The findings could help us to better understand the evolution of one of the strangest astrophysical phenomena in the entire universe.