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Subjects including the arts and humanities, government, nature, people, recreation, science and societyDiscover Smithsonian articles related to the arts, history, science and popular culture.
Artificial Brains May Be the Best Way to Control Electricity
Researchers attempted to put the brain - or at least its cells - to the task of intelligently managing the country's future power supply
April 23, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
There’s Now a Girl Scout Badge for Computer Game Design
Girl Scouts might be best known for their yearly cookie sale, but the organization is making strides to bring their girls into the tech world
April 23, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Before and After: America’s Environmental History
For the EPA's State of the Environment Photography Project, people are returning to sites photographed in the 1970s. They are snapping the scenes yet again—to document any changes in the landscape
April 22, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Which Primate Is the Most Likely Source of the Next Pandemic?
To help anticipate the next outbreak of an emerging infectious disease, scientists scrutinize our closest relatives in the animal kingdom
April 22, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Genetically Modified E. Coli Bacteria Can Now Synthesize Diesel Fuel
By combining genes from different bacteria species, scientists created E. coli that can consume fat and excrete diesel fuel
April 22, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Hurricanes May Cause Earthquakes
In August 2011, the Virginia earthquake shook the east coast. Days later, Hurricane Irene may have caused more earthquakes
April 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
This Weird New Chemical Can Pull Uranium Out of the Ocean
A highly-selective new compound can pull uranium right out of the ocean water
April 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
In This One California Town, New Houses Must Come With Solar Power
Starting in 2014, every new house needs to produce at least 1 kilowatt of energy
April 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Pediatricians to Kids: Do Not Eat Straight Cinnamon
As it turns out, trying to eat that much cinnamon can be really bad for you
April 22, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
VIDEO: Earth Art on the Mall
Four artists left their mark for the Smithsonian's first ever land art installation as part of a new exhibit about African artists and the earth
April 22, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
For Blind Moms, 3-D Prints of Fetuses Stand In for Sonogram Images
One company is trying to give those women a tactile equivalent to the sonogram, by 3-D printing their fetus for them
April 22, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Invasive Lionfish Are Like a Living, Breathing, Devastating Oil Spill
Meet the lionfish - the beautiful, poisonous and ravenous fish that is making its way across the Atlantic ocean like a slowly crawling, devastating oil spill
April 22, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Lockheed Martin Wants to Pull Electricity from the Ocean’s Heat
A type of renewable energy, first proposed in the 1800s, might finally be ready for prime time
April 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Curses! Archduke Franz Ferdinand and His Astounding Death Car
Was the man whose assassination began World War I riding in a car destined to bring death to a series of owners?
April 22, 2013 |
By Mike Dash
Events April 23-25: Cyrus Cylinder, Collage Art and a Craft Show
This week, hear about one of history's most important artifacts, see how assemblage changed the definition of art and peruse crafts by 121 artists
April 22, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Someone at the FCC Is a Boston Red Sox Fan
The Federal Communications Commission, normally quick to crack down on the slightest infringement, is letting David Ortiz's f-bomb slide
April 22, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
From Sea to Shining Sea: Great Ways to Explore Canada
The latest Gallup poll results are in—and Americans love Canada more than any other nation. Here are six ways to experience the greatest scenery of America's neighbor to the north
April 22, 2013 |
By Alastair Bland
Keep An Eye to the Sky: Annual Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend
Late Sunday night and early Monday morning, you may catch the annual Lyrid meteor shower
April 19, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Intriguing Science Art From the University of Wisconsin
From a fish's dyed nerves to vapor strewn across the planet, images submitted to a contest at the university offer new perspectives of the natural world
April 19, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
