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This article studies reasons as to why women drop out of research works due to family affairs, monetary problems and responsibilities. The article gives information about the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), which supports scientists who take time to rear family. The EMBO restart grants are just one of a handful of fellowships in Europe and the U.S. intended to kick-start a scientific career after a break. Others include the UK's Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships, the Swiss National Science Foundation's Marie Heim-Vogtlin grants, and ADVANCE fellowships from the U.S. National Science Foundation. The fellowships aim to patch what was been called the "leaky pipeline" for women in science.

The article reports on the foundation launched on December 2004 that aims to help women scientists with children in Germany. Christiane Nüsslein-Volahard decided to help graduate students who considered dropping out of science to care for their child by establishing the foundation. The monthly stipend received by the recipients can be applied toward cooking and cleaning costs or additional childcare.

Reports that members of the Association for Women in Science, Society of Women Engineers and other organizations gathered signatures for delivery to United States Senators Ron Wyden and George Allen in an effort to address gender discrimination against women in science. Citing of 1972 law, dubbed Title IX, which addressed gender discrimination in sports on campuses; Comment made by Harvard University president Lawrence Summers that angered and mobilized advocates of gender equality.