Biology
In Search of the Mysterious Narwhal
Ballerina turned biologist Kristin Laidre gives her all to study the elusive, deep-diving, ice-loving whale known as the "unicorn of the sea"
May 2009 |
By Abigail Tucker
Feeding the Animals at the National Zoo
After hiring the first animal nutritionist 30 years ago, the National Zoo prepares specific, well-balanced meals for each animal
April 08, 2009 |
By Joseph Caputo
Evolution in Black and White
The alternative color forms of some animals are providing new insights into how animals adapt and evolve
February 10, 2009 |
By Sean B. Carroll
The Perils of Bird-Plane Collisions
When airlines want to investigate dangerous bird strikes against planes, they turn to the head of the Smithsonian’s Feather Identification Lab
January 16, 2009 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Gene Therapy in a New Light
A husband-and-wife team's experimental genetic treatment for blindness is renewing hopes for a controversial field of medicine
January 2009 |
By Jocelyn Kaiser
What's Killing the Aspen?
The signature tree of the Rockies is in trouble
December 2008 |
By Michelle Nijhuis
The 'Secret Jews' of San Luis Valley
In Colorado, the gene linked to a virulent form of breast cancer found mainly in Jewish women is discovered in Hispanic Catholics
October 2008 |
By Jeff Wheelwright
How Breast Cancer Genes Work
Though we may talk of cancer as one disease, skin cancer has little in common with pancreatic cancer and breast cancer is something else entirely
October 2008 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Nancy Knowlton
The renowned coral reef biologist leads Smithsonian's effort to foster a greater public understanding of the world's oceans
September 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Our Imperiled Oceans: Victory at Sea
The world's largest protected area, established this year in the remote Pacific, points the way to restoring marine ecosystems
September 2008 |
By Christopher Pala
Clan-Do Spirit
A genealogical surprise led the author to ask: What does it take to be one of the family?
September 2008 |
By Jake Halpern
Photo Find
With a rolleiflex camera, a pioneering botanist documented his fieldwork—and created art
August 2008 |
By Kenneth R. Fletcher
A Passion for Tomatoes
Whatever the variety—commercial hybrid or precious heirloom—the plump juicy "vegetable" has a place in our hearts
August 2008 |
By Arthur Allen
On the Evolutionary Gold Mine Down Under
What the platypus and other Australian species reveal about genetics
August 01, 2008 |
By Dina Modianot-Fox
Termite Bellies and Biofuels
Scientist Falk Warnecke's research into termite digestion may hold solutions to our energy crisis
August 01, 2008 |
By Julia Olmstead
Arctic Dispatch: A Thaw in the Arctic Tundra
Researchers at the Toolik Field Station study thermokarst to understand the ecological effects of climate change
July 22, 2008 |
By Christine Dell’Amore
Arctic Dispatch: The Toolik Way of Life
Gourmet fare, live music and 24-hour Arctic summer sun make life in Toolik hard to beat
July 08, 2008 |
By Christine Dell’Amore
Arctic Dispatch: Reaching Toolik
Journalist Christine Dell’Amore travels to Alaska’s Toolik Field to observe the environmental changes occurring in the Arctic Circle
July 03, 2008 |
By Christine Dell’Amore
Arctic Dispatch: Playing With Permafrost
The first field tests in the tundra look at the effects of nitrogen levels on permafrost
July 03, 2008 |
By Christine Dell’Amore
Arctic Dispatch: The Hike Up Jade Mountain
After a day of experiments and ongoing mosquito battles, Christine Dell’Amore enjoys the view from the top
July 03, 2008 |
By Christine Dell’Amore
