Nature
Nature, or the natural world, encompasses the behavior and physiology of animals, plants and minerals
Shattered: Christchurch After 10,000 Earthquakes
The abandoned boulevards and blocks of condemned buildings look like a scene from an unhappy future in which the world's cities are only inhabited by ruins, ghosts and silence
February 09, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Weekend Events Feb 10-12: Mourning, The Power of Chocolate Festival, and the Emerson String Quartet
This weekend, go to the Iranian Film Festival, taste and learn why chocolate was called the "food of the gods" by the Aztecs and Mayans, and enjoy a performance by the Emerson String Quartet.
February 09, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Lab-grown Babies in the Year 2030
A 1930 book argued that women's "liberation from the dangers of childbirth" would be a crucial first step toward gender equality.
February 09, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
The Wandering Albatross and Global Warming
The giant oceanic birds are producing more and plumper chicks, at least for now
February 08, 2012 |
By Greg Laden
New Zealand’s Darkest, Bloodiest Secret: The Sandfly
Kiwi recommendations for stopping the biting beasts: DEET, geranium leaves, garlic, rancid bacon, Marmite, Vegemite. Does anything really work?
February 07, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
How Much the Hope Diamond is Worth and Other Questions From Our Readers
From American art, history and culture, air and space technology, contemporary art, Asian art and any of the sciences from astronomy to zoology, we'll find an answer
February 07, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
What the Inuit Taught Scientists About Killer Whales
The native people knew what orcas ate, how they hunted prey, how the prey responded to the whales and when and where predation occurred
February 06, 2012 |
By Greg Laden
Dinosaur Deep Freeze
An animated short suggests dinosaurs died out for want of winter coats
February 06, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
Questing for Calories in New Zealand’s High Country
There is something liberating in running out of food. Concerns about rationing are out the window and the world is simplified into a playground for foraging
February 02, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Scrambled Eggs and the Demise of the Dinosaurs
Did egg-eating lizards and snakes contribute to the dinosaurs' extinction?
February 02, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
Telomeres and Longevity in Zebra Finches
A study in birds confirms that protective caps on chromosomes predict a longer lifespan
February 02, 2012 |
By Greg Laden
Celebrate Black History Month with the Smithsonian
From Kenyan storytelling performances to Black Power film screenings, February on the Mall is buzzing with Black History Month events.
February 01, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
The Devastating Costs of the Amazon Gold Rush
Spurred by rising global demand for the metal, miners are destroying invaluable rainforest in Peru's Amazon basin
February 2012 |
By Donovan Webster
The Orchid Olympics
Breeders from 19 countries put their creations to the test at the 20th World Orchid Conference in Singapore
February 2012 |
By Somali Roy
What Robot Fish Can Tell Us About Parallel Evolution
When housed in an aquarium with a swirling robotic school, what determines whether a fish will join the crowd?
January 31, 2012 |
By Greg Laden
Ancient Popcorn Unearthed in Peru
New discoveries indicate people were eating our favorite movie snack far longer ago than we thought
January 27, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Remembering “The Beautiful Time” at the Natural History Museum
Congolese artist Sammy Baloji challenges his nation's collective memory with collages that meld the past and present, on view at the Natural History Museum.
January 24, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
New Zealand: Too Orderly, Tidy and Tame?
After leaving her job and home to bike around the world, a cyclist finds New Zealand a little too comfortable
January 24, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Where Did Dragons Come From?
In honor of the Year of the Dragon, we take a look at some potential inspirations for the dragon myth
January 23, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Curators, Scientific Adventurers and Book Worms to Watch in 2012
Our top ten picks from the Smithsonian Twitterati and blogrolls.
January 20, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
