Science

Betting on Designer Genes

Scientists dream of giving people new genes that will stop a disease or fix a problem. It is harder than anyone thought

January 1, 2001

“When Bandogs Howle and Spirits Walk”

Studying the nighttime hours across the centuries, says historian Roger Ekirch, sheds light on preindustrial society

January 1, 2001

Feeling Crabby?

The vaults of the Natural History Museum in Paris contain a menagerie of curious crustaceans

January 1, 2001

Log-o-phil-ia Is Addictive

WARNING: Words fill Anu Garg’s dreams, and waking hours too. He shares his favorites on the Web with thousands

December 2000

Newton’s Vice

Some say alchemy inspired our greatest scientist

December 1, 2000

A Stellar Imagemaker

Smithsonian and NASA’s Chandra x-ray observatory sheds new light on the mysteries of the universe

November 2000

The Rarest of the Rare

Scientists at the Smithsonian’s Conservation and Research Center have snatched endangered creatures from the brink and redefined conservation biology

November 1, 2000

The Return of the Phage

As deadly bacteria increasingly resist antibiotics, researchers try to improve a World War I era weapon

October 2000

The Cat That Walks by Itself

In Mexico’s Maya jungle, the survival of the jaguar hangs on radio collars, hounds and former hunters

September 30, 2000

Kudzu: Love It — or Run

Aggressive weed that “grows like the devil” and will not die is manna for sheep, cows and folks who use it to cure hangovers, weave baskets and make jelly

September 30, 2000

You Are What You Buy

According to advertising guru James Twitchell, every symbol, from Alka-Seltzer’s Speedy to the Energizer Bunny, plants powerful notions of who we are

September 30, 2000

Malaria Kills One Child Every 30 Seconds

A new pandemic imperils half the world. Scientists think they know what has to be done, but the disease continues to outsmart them

August 31, 2000

So Tiny, So Sweet…So Mean

If hummingbirds were as big as ravens, it probably wouldn’t be safe to go for a walk in the woods

August 31, 2000

Reading the Bones

August 2000

Foreign Worm Alert

Aliens are tunneling through North America. Who’d have thought these earth tillers have a downside?

August 2000

Turning a New Leaf

Every six months Smithsonian horticulturists give the Haupt Garden a makeover from the roots up

August 2000

Something’s Fishy about this Robot

When it comes to speed and maneuverability, fish leave man-made submersibles floundering, but RoboTuna and friends may change all that

July 31, 2000

Ringtails Like To Be Appreciated

Although they are by nature loners, these clever “cats” don’t mind a little human companionship

July 31, 2000

Battling the Orange Monster

Even with air power and satellite tracking, it still takes people with axes and shovels to stop a forest fire

June 30, 2000

Down on This Farm the Times They Are A-changin’

June 30, 2000