Natural Sciences

The ubiquitous shamrock has mythical origins.

No One Really Knows What a Shamrock Is

The three-leaf clover is what everyone wears, but what species is it?

Teachers Give Lower Math Scores to Girls

Teachers’ unconscious beliefs in the aptitude of boys over girls come out when grading math tests

Cattleya aurantiaca

Orchidelirium, an Obsession with Orchids, Has Lasted for Centuries

The once-elusive flower's striking beauty has inspired collectors and scientists to make it more accessible

Arachnophobia, coral reefs, artificial cells and strange amphibians starred in some of this year's science finds you might have missed.

Ten Cool Science Stories You May Have Missed in 2014

ICYMI, there's a newfound coral reef in Iraq, the smallest force has been detected and more in this year's surprising science

Small town travel, the Monuments Men, Chernobyl and Stonehenge were all among reader favorites in 2014

Our Top Stories of 2014

From weird red waterfalls to the pleasures of small-town America, these were the most read articles on Smithsonian.com this year

Fairy circles in Namibia.

What Causes Namibia’s Fairy Circles? Probably Not Termites

Namibia's mysterious fairy circles might actually be caused by competition between grasses

The stolen diamond looked nothing like these

This May Have Been the Worst Diamond Heist in History

An Albuquerque museum was robbed of a diamond that was returned the next day

How Much Do You Actually Know About What You're Putting in Your Mouth?

A little background in food science can turn you into a next-level foodie

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Are Snowflakes Really Unique and Other Questions From Our Readers

You asked, we answered

Would you use these crystals in your kitchen if they were called “super delicious umami crystals?”

It’s the Umami, Stupid. Why the Truth About MSG is So Easy to Swallow

Few remember that the food pariah and hot trend are so closely connected

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Horrific Tales of Potatoes That Caused Mass Sickness and Even Death

A greened potato indicates the presence of a toxin that can cause gastrointestinal distress, induce coma or even death within 24 hours of consumption

The smokiness behind your favorite whiskey might all be thanks to chemistry.

How Chemistry Can Explain the Difference Between Bourbon and a Tennessee Whiskey

The unique flavor of a whiskey or scotch might be more than pure luck--it might be a science

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The Science of Champagne, the Bubbling Wine Created By Accident

There's a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to the spirit's trademark fizziness

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Hangovers: The Driving Force Behind Our Favorite Foods

Overimbibing makes some people's brains shut down, for others, it gets the innovative juices flowing

Huitlacoche, a black corn fungus, is an agricultural bane to some, but to others, it’s a delicacy.

Delicious Molds: Four Fungi Fit For Your Plate

Some molds are perfectly fit for consumption, if not desired to produce fine dining fare

“Rainbow Ice” is a top selling flavor for Dippin’ Dots.

Is Dippin’ Dots Still the “Ice Cream of the Future”?

How founder and CEO Curt Jones is trying to keep the tiny ice cream beads from becoming a thing of the past

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The Very Model of a Modern Major STEM School

As science and math-focused campuses multiply around the country, Denver’s School of Science and Technology is deciding what makes a STEM school great

“Children play in yard of Ruston home, while Tacoma smelter stack showers area with arsenic and lead residue.” Gene Daniels, Ruston, Washington, August 1972.

16 Photographs That Capture the Best and Worst of 1970s America

A new exhibit at the National Archives highlights an interesting decade—one that gave rise to the environmental movement and some awkward fashion

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From the Editor

From the Editor

Meals in a Jar: From Pancakes to Baby Back Ribs, Just Add Water

Ready-made meals, good for months on a pantry shelf, work for busy nights, camping trips and power outages

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