Archive | November, 2009

Smithsonian to lead study on degradation of nearshore coastal habitats of the Chesapeake

Smithsonian to lead study on degradation of nearshore coastal habitats of the Chesapeake

Invasive species, contaminants, excessive nutrient's and sediment are just some of the many factors threatening sensitive wetlands and seagrass beds. [...more]

conservation biology Comments (0)

New Acquisition: Robo-car enters Smithsonian collection

New Acquisition: Robo-car enters Smithsonian collection

Stanley is one of the first autonomous robotic vehicles to enter the Smithsonian collection. This blue 2005 Volkswagen Toureg is equipped with custom drive-by-wire system, a sensor rack and a computing system that enables Stanley to navigate without a human in the driver’s seat. [...more]

New Acquisitions Comments (2)

Digital Stradivari: computer models of violins reveal master luthier’s techniques

Digital Stradivari: computer models of violins reveal master luthier’s techniques

In a pilot study that used seven Stradivari violins made between 1670 and 1709, the researchers scanned each violin with a CT scanner then used the data to create digital, 3-D images of each violin. [...more]

Featured, materials science Comments (12)

Meet our Scientists—Videos!

Science Spotlight

Scientists from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center have found that fledgling catbirds living in the suburbs are extremely vulnerable. Almost 80 percent are killed by predators before they reach adulthood. Nearly half of the deaths are connected to domestic cats. The team studied catbird nests in 3 suburban neighborhoods in Maryland: Spring Park, Opal Daniels Park, and Bethesda. Learn more about this 2011 study by clicking here. (Catbird photo by Gerhard Hofmann)

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