Archive | July, 2010

Modern African basketry joins anthropology collections of National Museum of Natural History

Modern African basketry joins anthropology collections of National Museum of Natural History

Basket making by Botswana women has a long history and it continues to be a robust craft tradition. Over the past three decades it has become increasingly well known in the international craft market. [...more]

New Acquisitions Comments (1)

New frog species pose challenge for conservation project in Panama

New frog species pose challenge for conservation project in Panama

Discoveries of three new from species in Panama lead to hope that project researchers can save these animals from a deadly fungus killing frogs worldwide and the fear that many species will go extinct before scientists even know they exist. [...more]

Featured, conservation biology, zoology Comments (3)

New Zealand Embassy donates kiwi pair to National Zoo Breeding Science Center

New Zealand Embassy donates kiwi pair to National Zoo Breeding Science Center

Kiwis come to National Zoo. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will be using a new kiwi pair donated by the New Zealand Embassy to establish a breeding science center. Both birds came from the Ngati Hine people in New Zealand. Adding these animals to the genetic pool in North America is a rare and valuable opportunity. This pair came [...] [...more]

Science Spotlight, zoology Comments (0)

Japanese giant salamanders given to the National Zoo by Asa Zoological Park in Hiroshima

Japanese giant salamanders given to the National Zoo by Asa Zoological Park in Hiroshima

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo recently acquired Japanese giant salamanders given to the Zoo by the City of Hiroshima Asa Zoological Park. This donation will be the foundation of a new long-term breeding program in the United States and may play an important role in saving amphibians around the globe. [...more]

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Meet Our Scientist: Tom Watters – Moon Science

Meet Our Scientist: Tom Watters – Moon Science

Dr. Thomas R. Watters of the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum talks about his research in astronomy, particularly our moon. More about space science at http://www.nasm.si.edu [...more]

Meet Our Scientists, Video Comments (0)

Meet the Scientist: Dr. JoGayle Howard of the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park

Meet the Scientist: Dr. JoGayle Howard of the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park

Dr. JoGayle Howard of the Smithsonian's National Zoo discusses her work to breed and study one of the world's most endangered cats, the clouded leopard. More about the National Zoo's work to save clouded leopards: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/ReproductiveScience/ConsEn... http://nationalzoo.si.edu/support/annualappeal/cloudedleo... ... (more info) [...more]

Meet Our Scientists, Video Comments (1)

Astronomers take the first clear look inside a turbulent stellar nursery

Astronomers take the first clear look inside a turbulent stellar nursery

A team of scientists has managed to get a clearer look into the turbulent and murky environment of a stellar nursery in the constellation Perseus. The result is the first observation ever of a critical step in the creation of stars. [...more]

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Tropical tree study shows interactions with neighbors plays an important role in tree survival

Tropical tree study shows interactions with neighbors plays an important role in tree survival

New results from a massive study at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute show that interactions among community members play an important role in determining which organisms thrive. [...more]

Featured, conservation biology Comments (2)

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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