Smart News

Researchers Dive Into the Science of London's Deadly Fog

In 1952, up to 12,000 people died when acidic fog covered the city of London. A new study explains why it happened

November 21, 2016

New Dictionary Explains 45,000 English and Irish Surnames

Using sources dating back to the 11th century, researchers have put together the massive Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland

November 18, 2016

New Technique Could Supercharge Crop Production

Proteins inserted into tobacco plants improved yields by up to 20 percent

November 18, 2016

Over 40 Ancient Ships Discovered on the Bottom of the Black Sea

Researchers on a geology survey in Bulgarian waters ended up discovering vessels from the Ottoman, Byzantine and Venetian empires

November 18, 2016

World’s Largest Herd of Origami Elephants Takes Over the Bronx Zoo

People around the world folded the paper pachyderms to raise awareness of the elephants' plight

November 18, 2016

Say hello to the West Bijou Site – the United States' newest National Natural Landmark

The Newest National Landmark Is Chock-Full of Dinosaur History

The West Bijou Site is home to a snapshot of the dinosaurs’ extinction

November 18, 2016

A national museum of women's history would celebrate the accomplishment of women like these members of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, who went on strike against non-union shoulder pads in 1930.

Why a Congressional Commission Wants a National Women’s History Museum

Will the American Museum of Women’s History ever become reality?

November 18, 2016

Australia may look peaceful from space, but it is anything but static.

Australia Moves Millimeters In Tune With the Seasons

A new study shows how far-off weather patterns affect the continent down under

November 18, 2016

James Welch is featured on today's Google home page in honor of his birthday.

Google Makes Ledger Art to Celebrate Legendary Native American Author James Welch

In an exclusive interview with Smithsonian.com, artist Sophie Diao talks about what inspired today's Google Doodle

November 18, 2016

The puffin is one of the many species of birds that contribute to the massive amount of poop covering the arctic every year.

How Bird Poop Could Help Keep the Arctic Cool

Researchers have discovered that ammonia produced from tons of seabird guano helps form low lying clouds that can partially block sunlight

November 17, 2016

CRISPR Gene Editing Used to Treat Patient for the First Time

Chinese scientists injected a cancer patient with T-cells modified to attack tumor cells

November 17, 2016

This 6,000-Year-Old Amulet Is an Ancient Metal Marvel

Lost-wax casting is still used in modern manufacturing

November 17, 2016

Lend Me Your Ears: A Tale of Evolution From a 5,310-Year-Old Corn Cob

Corn has come a long way since its grassy beginnings

November 17, 2016

Collection of Fossilized Poo Certified as World's Largest

George Frandsen's 1,200-piece coprolite collection earns the Florida man a spot in Guinness World Records

November 17, 2016

A Brief History of the Racketeer Nickel

A fraudulent 5-cent piece dug up in Deadwood may not be very valuable, but its story is worth its weight in gold

November 17, 2016

Emissions from cars and other forms of transportation is one of the many sources of greenhouse gasses.

Global Emissions Plateaued for Three Consecutive Years. That Doesn't Mean We Can Relax.

Several recent studies provided a glimmer of hope, but these developments alone won't halt climate change

November 16, 2016

A closeup of Bernini's "The Elephant and the Obelisk" before it was damaged.

One of Rome’s Most Famous Sculptures Has Been Vandalized

Bernini’s “Elephant and Obelisk” is missing part of its tusk

November 16, 2016

Wernher von Braun, one of the architects of the Apollo program, was a Nazi scientist brought to the U.S. in secret in 1945.