GMAT Sentence Correction (SC) | In the last decade, research in nanotechnology conducted at university

In the last decade, research in nanotechnology conducted at university-funded laboratories fell to a record low because grants for scientists who conducted independent research were not easily approved, but, because the necessary technical tools were rising in costs, those of expenses incurred during such research increased rapidly.

A) who conducted independent research were not easily approved, but, because the necessary technical tools were rising in costs, those of
rising in costs : it implies tools were rising! :Changes the meaning of the senetence
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