In fact, Gee underscored the interdisciplinary nature of research in an opinion piece distributed nationwide last summer. Here is just one example of why a wait can be worthwhile. After World War II, physicists discovered that hydrogen atoms will flip when oriented in a magnetic field. But the research road doesn't end here. Most recently, chemists at one university collaborated with physicists at another university to expand MRI diagnostics further into the workings of our blood vessels, lungs, brain and heart.
Researchers are now able to detect how even the smallest parts of our bodies work.
For science funding, there may be a dark side to increased federal revenues, Heenan said. This combination may prove irresistible to lawmakers. We are concerned that there may be flat or even less discretionary spending in the year ahead. That's why we will keep up the pressure for increased spending for research.