Dicke heads a Netherlands-based four-year programme aiming to produce a scientific and business plan to bring insects to western tables.

Schmidt of Michigan State University, who led the new analysis, said, "no single intellectually coherent vision dominates U.S. educational practice in math or science."

Too many people in this country, including some among our elected leadership, still do not understand how science works or why robust, long-range investments in research vitally matter.