Nature
Nature, or the natural world, encompasses the behavior and physiology of animals, plants and minerals
To the Bat Cave!
One conservation group, the Nature Conservancy, has decided to take action against white nose syndrome by setting up a refugee bat cave
September 25, 2012 |
By Mary Beth Griggs
The Latest Cure for Acne: A Virus
Researchers are looking into a naturally-occuring virus which preys upon the skin bacteria that trigger outbreaks of acne
September 25, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
NIH Sends Almost One-Fifth of Its Research Chimpanzees Into Retirement
The National Institutes of Health has retired 110 chimpanzees of a total of 563
September 24, 2012 |
By Mary Beth Griggs
Do Feathers Reveal Neanderthal Brainpower?
Neanderthals may have used feathers as personal ornaments, which suggests our cousins were capable of symbolic expression
September 24, 2012 |
By Erin Wayman
The Equinox: See It for Yourself This Weekend
There are many great spots around the globe to observe the celestial phenomena, from Machu Picchu to the Yorkshire moors
September 21, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
PHOTOS: Tour Smithsonian Gardens’ Fall Flowers
The heat and torrents of rain have paid off with bright, beautiful blooms around the Mall
September 21, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Top 5 “Science Done Right” Moments in Movies
Directors take note: scientist and author David Kirby commends the accuracy in these popular films
September 21, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Does This Cat Know When You’re Going to Die?
Oscar the cat seems to know who will die and when - or perhaps he's just looking for someone to pet him
September 20, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Same Gene Guides Cheetah and Tabby Cat Coat Patterns
A mutation in one gene produces tabby cats with blotches and cheetahs with stripes
September 20, 2012 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Six Things to Do and Places to See Before Climate Change Swamps the Party
Get out and view a wild polar bear and visit Tuvalu and other low-lying islands while you have a chance
September 20, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
What Makes Chocolate So Irresistible? A New Study Hints at an Answer
Scientists reveal that surges of a chemical in an unexpected area of the brain might make us crave sweets
September 20, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Sea Lions Deliberately Collapse Their Lungs So They Can Dive Deeper
Shutting down their lungs helps sea lions avoid getting the bends
September 19, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The Rock of Gibraltar: Neanderthals’ Last Refuge
Gibraltar hosted some of the last-surviving Neanderthals and was home to one of the first Neanderthal fossil discoveries
September 19, 2012 |
By Erin Wayman
The World’s 5 Most Mysterious Bird Species
Stunning plumage, strange eating habits and extreme rareness characterize these enigmatic birds
September 18, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Is the Can Worse Than the Soda? Study Finds Correlation Between BPA and Obesity
BPA, a chemical used in aluminum soda cans and other food packaging, was found to be associated with childhood obesity in a new study
September 18, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Meet the National Zoo’s Newest Panda Cub
Giant panda Mei Xiang gave birth to a panda cub at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
September 17, 2012 |
By Mary Beth Griggs
Energy Efficiency Doesn’t Explain Human Walking?
A new study of mammal locomotion challenges the claim that hominids evolved two-legged walking because of its energy savings
September 17, 2012 |
By Erin Wayman
Scientists Manipulate Brainwaves of Cocaine-Addled Monkeys to Improve Decision-Making
By stimulating neural activity with electrodes, researchers boosted the mental skills of rhesus monkeys under the influence of cocaine
September 14, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Will Hound Hunting in California Be Banned?
Hunters say that the practice brings to life a natural drama between black bears and canine predators. But to many others, the practice is little more than wildlife harassment
September 13, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
Picture-Perfect Bonsai
In a new book, botanical photographer Jonathan Singer focuses his lens on the potted plants
September 13, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
