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Smart News / Smart News Science

The latest donation to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault is taken down into the frosty underground chamber for storage.

Global Seed Vault Gets Its Millionth Donation and a $13 Million Update

Built in 1998, the vault safeguards the world’s food storage in case of a global disaster

A Sickly Paleolithic Pupper Only Survived Because of Human Help

The canine wouldn’t have been a good hunter, hinting early humans may have loved their pets for more than athleticism

New Research

Blame Tailgaters for Your Traffic Woes

Keeping an equal distance between cars ahead and behind may eliminate “phantom” traffic jams

The Story Behind Big Sur’s Glowing Waves

Photographer George Krieger captured the unusual scene in vivid detail

Cool Finds

Rare Yellow Cardinal Spotted at Alabama Bird Feeder

The bird’s distinctive coloration may be caused by a genetic mutation or a health issue

How a city is arranged can influence whether it heats up in comparison to surrounding areas

New Research

Order Makes Cities Easy to Navigate—It May Also Make Them Hotter

Physics and statistics can describe how building patterns relate to cities’ tendency to hold heat

This map shows total fishing activity across the world's oceans as detected by satellite tracking.

New Research

Tracking Fishing Vessels Reveals Industry’s Toll on the Ocean

Satellites and artificial intelligence fill in gaps in global fisheries knowledge

How Vampire Bats Can Survive on a Diet of Blood

Their diet may seem unusual, but a unique genome and gut bacteria help the critters get the nutrients they need

If you look closely at the lower right of galaxy NGC 613, the baby supernova pops into existence at the end of one of the galaxy's spiral arms.

New Research

Amateur Astronomer Captures Supernova’s First Winks of Light

Scientists say the chances were less than one in a million

An Atlantic sixgill pup found off the coast of Belize.

New Research

Scientists Identify New Species of Elusive Deep-Sea Shark

DNA analysis has shown that Atlantic-dwelling sixgill sharks are distinct from their relatives in the Indian and Pacific oceans

In this April 10, 2015 photo, Brayan Lopez, 9, plays a Taino wood drum while students perform a ceremonial dance in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico.

Ancient DNA Contradicts Historical Narrative of ‘Extinct’ Caribbean Taíno Population

Researchers create Caribbean’s first complete ancient human genome, find Taíno genes in living people

Art Meets Science

The Touching Story Behind This Award-Winning Wildlife Image

Taken by Jo-Anne McArthur, the photo shows a rescued baby gorilla hugging her caretaker

World’s Tallest Wooden Building to Be Built in Tokyo

Architects are increasingly touting wood as a cleaner alternative to steel, concrete and brick

The team's work with flavobacterium could lead to the creation of biodegradable, non-toxic paints in all the colors of nature

Art Meets Science

This Vibrant Bacteria Could Be Used to “Grow” Paint

Researchers genetically manipulated bacteria to produce the iridescent colors seen in peacock feathers, butterfly wings

Researchers used non-invasive analysis to trace the origins of Picasso's bronze sculptures

Art Meets Science

Metal Blends Offer Clues to Picasso Sculptures’ History

Analysis of bronze and sheet metal sculptures reveals how, when and where works were cast

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First Video of Baby Dumbo Octopus Shows They’re Fully Formed From Birth

The deep sea creatures, which are named after Disney’s floppy-eared elephant, use their giant fins for navigation

How Exploding Beetles Can Survive Being Eaten Alive

Bombardier beetles can escape the stomachs of toads by setting off a powerful chemical reaction

These Arabica coffee beans could help support biodiversity—as long as they're grown in the shade.

New Research

Coffee Growing Can Be Good For Birds No Matter What Bean You Choose

Whether you swing arabica or robusta, your coffee can support biodiversity—as long as it’s grown in the shade

Tombs in the ancient city of Hierapolis, in modern-day Turkey.

New Research

How the Roman “Gates of Hell” Killed Animal Sacrifices but Let Human Priests Escape Unharmed

In ancient times, the gates seemed to respond to supernatural powers, but it’s actually all about science

This Butterfly Recently Returned to Scotland. Now, It’s Laying Eggs

The white-letter hairstreak, which is native to the UK, had disappeared from Scotland for more than a century

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