Scientific Innovation | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/scientific-innovation/RSS feed for Scientific InnovationenThu, 26 Mar 2026 16:02:37 +0000In a First, the World's Most Expensive and Volatile Substance—Antimatter—Traveled by Truckhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-a-first-the-worlds-most-expensive-and-volatile-substance-antimatter-traveled-by-truck-180988431/The work paves the way for longer-distance transport of the rare material so scientists can study it at other facilitiesThu, 26 Mar 2026 16:02:37 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-a-first-the-worlds-most-expensive-and-volatile-substance-antimatter-traveled-by-truck-180988431/A New Nail Polish Might Someday Solve Touch Screen Struggles for Users With Long Fingernailshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-new-nail-polish-might-someday-solve-touch-screen-struggles-for-users-with-long-fingernails-180988418/The experimental coating could effectively transform fingernails into touch screen-compatible stylusesWed, 25 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-new-nail-polish-might-someday-solve-touch-screen-struggles-for-users-with-long-fingernails-180988418/Many Americans Will Soon Have Access to At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening Tests at No Costhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/many-americans-will-soon-have-access-to-at-home-cervical-cancer-screening-tests-at-no-costs-180987967/U.S. guidance announced on Monday recommends self-collection of samples to test for HPV, the virus that often causes cervical cancer. Private insurers must cover the costs of the swab kits by 2027Thu, 08 Jan 2026 18:11:31 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/many-americans-will-soon-have-access-to-at-home-cervical-cancer-screening-tests-at-no-costs-180987967/New Helmet-Shaped Device Could One Day Treat Conditions Such as Parkinson's Without Invasive Surgery, Scientists Suggesthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-helmet-shaped-device-could-one-day-treat-conditions-such-as-parkinsons-without-invasive-surgery-scientists-suggest-180987325/In a first-of-its-kind achievement, researchers non-invasively and precisely directed ultrasound beams to target a location deep within the brainFri, 12 Sep 2025 16:08:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-helmet-shaped-device-could-one-day-treat-conditions-such-as-parkinsons-without-invasive-surgery-scientists-suggest-180987325/Could We Send a Superlight Spacecraft to a Theoretical Nearby Black Hole?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-is-how-an-astrophysicist-thinks-we-could-send-a-superlight-spacecraft-to-a-theoretical-nearby-black-hole-180987134/An astrophysicist argues that the interstellar mission would be extremely challenging but not completely unrealisticFri, 08 Aug 2025 18:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-is-how-an-astrophysicist-thinks-we-could-send-a-superlight-spacecraft-to-a-theoretical-nearby-black-hole-180987134/This New Bionic Knee Is Changing the Game for Lower Leg Amputeeshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-new-bionic-knee-is-changing-the-game-for-lower-leg-amputees-180987097/Scientists have developed a prosthesis that is directly integrated with muscle and bone in order to improve movementTue, 05 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-new-bionic-knee-is-changing-the-game-for-lower-leg-amputees-180987097/In a Remarkable First, a Baby With a Rare Disease Receives Personalized Gene Therapyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-baby-with-a-rare-disease-is-the-first-to-receive-personalized-gene-therapy-180986652/Researchers say the CRISPR-based technique used could eventually be employed to treat more people with rare genetic diseasesMon, 19 May 2025 18:55:15 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-baby-with-a-rare-disease-is-the-first-to-receive-personalized-gene-therapy-180986652/The Innovative History of the Artificial Limb Stretches as Far Back as Ancient Egypthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/innovative-history-artificial-limb-stretches-far-back-ancient-egypt-180986568/Today, the technology has come so far that anyone with a 3D printer can create highly engineered and artful prosthesesTue, 13 May 2025 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/innovative-history-artificial-limb-stretches-far-back-ancient-egypt-180986568/Can Scientists Harness the Magic of Mushrooms to Clean Up Polluted Landscapes?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/can-scientists-harness-the-magic-of-mushrooms-to-clean-up-polluted-landscapes-180986561/Researchers and grassroots activists are working with fungi to restore damaged environmentsMon, 12 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/can-scientists-harness-the-magic-of-mushrooms-to-clean-up-polluted-landscapes-180986561/Humanoid Robots Just Raced Alongside Human Runners in a World-First Half-Marathon. Here's How It Wenthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/humanoid-robots-just-raced-alongside-human-runners-in-a-world-first-half-marathon-heres-how-it-went-180986469/The race, held in China on Saturday, showcases the country’s advancements in humanoid technology. Still, only 6 of the 21 robot contestants made it across the finish lineMon, 21 Apr 2025 18:48:36 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/humanoid-robots-just-raced-alongside-human-runners-in-a-world-first-half-marathon-heres-how-it-went-180986469/