Communication | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/communication/RSS feed for CommunicationenThu, 19 Mar 2026 18:47:18 +0000An Experimental Brain Implant Allows People With Paralysis to Type Their Thoughts With Their Mindshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-experimental-brain-implant-allows-people-with-paralysis-to-type-their-thoughts-with-their-minds-180988365/One of the two participants wrote words up to a speed similar to an able-bodied person texting on a smartphoneThu, 19 Mar 2026 18:47:18 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-experimental-brain-implant-allows-people-with-paralysis-to-type-their-thoughts-with-their-minds-180988365/Needy Caterpillars Vibrate to Complex Rhythms to Communicate With Antshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/needy-caterpillars-vibrate-to-complex-rhythms-to-communicate-with-ants-180988265/Researchers have found that some butterfly caterpillars mimic the meticulously timed movements of ants to win their favor and protectionThu, 26 Feb 2026 22:07:02 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/needy-caterpillars-vibrate-to-complex-rhythms-to-communicate-with-ants-180988265/Humans May Have Used These Mysterious Symbols to Encode Information Tens of Thousands of Years Before the First Writing Systemshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/humans-may-have-used-these-mysterious-symbols-to-encode-information-tens-of-thousands-of-years-before-the-first-writing-systems-180988250/The symbols, discovered on 40,000-year-old artifacts in caves in southwest Germany, may have been a precursor to the first written languageWed, 25 Feb 2026 20:31:29 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/humans-may-have-used-these-mysterious-symbols-to-encode-information-tens-of-thousands-of-years-before-the-first-writing-systems-180988250/NASA to Resume Search for Missing Mars Orbiter, but Prospects of Re-establishing Communication With It Seem Slimhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasa-to-resume-search-for-missing-mars-orbiter-but-prospects-of-re-establishing-communication-with-it-seem-slim-180988019/Scientists haven't heard from the MAVEN orbiter since December 6. It had been studying the Martian atmosphere for over a decadeThu, 15 Jan 2026 20:12:34 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasa-to-resume-search-for-missing-mars-orbiter-but-prospects-of-re-establishing-communication-with-it-seem-slim-180988019/The Hidden World of Cold-Water Corals Rises to the Surface With These Glass Sculptures That Are Resurrecting a Lost Crafthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-hidden-world-of-cold-water-corals-rises-to-the-surface-with-these-glass-sculptures-that-are-resurrecting-a-lost-craft-180988011/As increased industrial activity puts fragile deep-sea ecosystems at risk, one artist is raising awareness about imperiled corals through scientific model makingThu, 15 Jan 2026 12:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-hidden-world-of-cold-water-corals-rises-to-the-surface-with-these-glass-sculptures-that-are-resurrecting-a-lost-craft-180988011/Archaeologists Say These Conch Shells May Have Been Used as Early Musical Instruments 6,000 Years Agohttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-say-these-conch-shells-may-have-been-used-as-early-musical-instruments-6000-years-ago-180987786/New research suggests that a collection of conch shells unearthed in Spain may have once produced melodies, in addition to enabling communication across long distancesThu, 04 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-say-these-conch-shells-may-have-been-used-as-early-musical-instruments-6000-years-ago-180987786/The Astronomical Problem of Space Junkhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-astronomical-problem-of-space-junk-180987782/Chunks of satellites and pieces of debris falling from space are causing trouble down here on EarthThu, 04 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-astronomical-problem-of-space-junk-180987782/Whales and Dolphins Interact More Often Than Scientists Thought, Engaging in Mutual Play, Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/whales-and-dolphins-interact-more-often-than-scientists-thought-engaging-in-mutual-play-study-suggets-180987198/Researchers analyzed nearly 200 videos and photographs documenting interactions between the various kinds of cetaceansMon, 18 Aug 2025 19:43:06 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/whales-and-dolphins-interact-more-often-than-scientists-thought-engaging-in-mutual-play-study-suggets-180987198/Science Fiction? Think Again. Scientists Are Learning How to Decode Inner Thoughtshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/science-fiction-think-again-scientists-are-learning-how-to-decode-inner-thoughts-180987194/A brain-computer interface has gotten better than ever before at translating thoughts from people with speech difficulties. Researchers are also thinking through how to protect users’ privacyFri, 15 Aug 2025 19:00:38 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/science-fiction-think-again-scientists-are-learning-how-to-decode-inner-thoughts-180987194/Sun Launches Its Strongest Solar Flare of the Year So Far, Causing Radio Blackouts Around the Worldhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/strongest-solar-flare-of-the-year-causes-blackouts-around-the-world-180986643/The new sunspot responsible for this powerful blast is rotating into view, which could bring more solar activity—and potential aurora-causing coronal mass ejections—to Earth in the coming daysFri, 16 May 2025 20:12:38 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/strongest-solar-flare-of-the-year-causes-blackouts-around-the-world-180986643/