The Golden Goose Awards

The United States funds scientific research that may seem useless on the surface. However, that's how science works -every new discovery adds to a body of knowledge that may one day lead to life-changing or even life-saving results.

The Golden Goose Awards recognizes those federally-funded research projects that lead to significant breakthroughs, sometimes many years later. This video gives you a closer look at three of the 2013 recipients of the Golden Goose Awards. Read more about them and their fellow honorees.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government shutdown will reduce the National Science Foundation's workforce from 2,000 to about 30. The work of scientists who are not federal employees but are supported by by the NSF will continue, but they won't receive any payments while the shutdown is in effect. (via Metafilter)