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What Really Turned the Sahara Desert From a Green Oasis Into a Wasteland?
10,000 years ago, this iconic desert was unrecognizable. A new hypothesis suggests that humans may have tipped the balance
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At 1.6 Billion Years Old, These Fossils Could Be the Oldest Complex Life
Three types of ancient red algae-like fossils captivate scientists, but many questions remain
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What Killed Northern Australia’s Mangroves?
Last year’s massive die-off was the largest ever observed
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Why Did This Australian Lake Turn Bright Pink?
Hot weather, scant rainfall and high salt levels have created a perfect storm for pinkness
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Marianne North’s Obsession with the Carnivorous Pitcher Plant
Painter Marianne North’s obsession with local Borneo vegetation led her to one of the most unusual and rare plants in the world
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Pollens Found in Grave of Bronze Age Woman Paint Picture of Bygone Scotland
But do they shed light on the mystery of the woman’s death?
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You Don’t Need to Wait for Spring to Enjoy the Smithsonian Gardens
This new tour guide will help you relax in these urban oases
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Genome Mapping Could Lead to Cheaper and More Abundant Quinoa
New data on the “superfood” could help breed varieties that require less processing and can thrive in poor soil conditions
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New Self-Sustaining “Wheat” Could Change the Farming Industry
It’s called Salish Blue, and it’s more than a science experiment
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The Patents Behind the Roses You Receive on Valentine’s Day
You probably never thought of the perennials as inventions, have you?
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The Carnivorous Plant That Feasts on Mice
While the carnivorous cravings of most flesh-eating plants are limited to small insects, one exception is the pitcher plant
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The National Park Service Warns Inauguration-Goers to Keep Off Its Lawn
The National Mall finally recovered from President Obama’s first inauguration, and rangers want to keep it that way
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The Quest to Return Tomatoes to Their Full-Flavored Glory
We’ve bred the original tomato taste out of existence. Now geneticists are asking: Can we put it back?
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How to Create an Insect Habitat in Your Garden
A Smithsonian gardener offers tips for sheltering the insects during the frosty winter months
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Dueling Theories on the Cause of “Fairy Circles” Could Both Be Right
New research brings together competing concepts to describe how the mysterious features form
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Researchers Uncover Fossils of 52-Million-Year-Old Tomatillos
The pair of ancient fruits suggest that the nightshade group to which they belong is much older than scientists once thought
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The Fight to Save Thousands of Heirloom Apple Trees
There’s more to apples than the supermarket selection may suggest
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Once a Year, Scientific Journals Try to Be Funny. Not Everyone Gets the Joke
Holiday editions add a much-needed dose of humor to boring journal-ese. But is entertaining readers worth the risk of misleading them?
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Lend Me Your Ears: A Tale of Evolution From a 5,310-Year-Old Corn Cob
Corn has come a long way since its grassy beginnings
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Why Public Health Researchers Are Looking to Urban Trees
A global study finds they can help cool cities and reduce air pollution—for less money than high-tech answers
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