Archive | Research Topics

At 1.5 million mph, twin stars in the constellation Cancer win speediest orbit award

At 1.5 million mph, twin stars in the constellation Cancer win speediest orbit award

The stars move quickly because they are very close to each other, separated by only about one-fourth the distance from the Earth to the Moon. As a result, they share strong gravitational forces. They were once farther apart but have spiraled closer together over time. Billions of years from now, they will crash together and merge. [...more]

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Captive colony of Virginia big-eared bats providing valuable lessons in battle against deadly white-nose syndrome

Captive colony of Virginia big-eared bats providing valuable lessons in battle against deadly white-nose syndrome

Eleven bats remain in the National Zoo’s colony. The initial challenge the team faced was how to feed the animals. Virginia big-eared bats, which are a subspecies of the Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinuss townsendii), eat while flying. [...more]

Featured, conservation biology, zoology Comments (23)

Ancient star discovered through patience and clever use of technology

Ancient star discovered through patience and clever use of technology

Finding this stellar relic wasn’t easy. It is 60,000 times dimmer than the faintest star visible to the unaided eye. The team also had to distinguish it from many surrounding stars that aren’t so old. Just like an archaeological dig, the hunt succeeded through a combination of patience and clever use of technology. [...more]

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New study sees mother’s milk as a communications link that shapes infant temperament

New study sees mother’s milk as a communications link that shapes infant temperament

The study found that infants whose mothers had higher levels of available milk energy soon after their birth, coped more effectively (moved around more, explored more, ate and drank) and showed greater confidence (were more playful, exploratory, curious and active) with this novel situation. [...more]

Featured, anthropology, zoology Comments (1)

Leafcutter ants—first in agiculture and antibiotics

Leafcutter ants—first in agiculture and antibiotics

Leafcutter Ants—an amazing species that has been employing agriculture and antibiotics for some 50 million years. [...more]

Video, zoology Comments (0)

Researchers compile colorful on-line guide to marine algae of Panama

Researchers compile colorful on-line guide to marine algae of Panama

“Our guide celebrates the beauty of some of the most attractive inhabitants of Panama’s undersea realm and provides an indispensable, easy-to-use tool for their identification,” say the Littlers. [...more]

Book Review, conservation biology Comments (0)

Clouded leopard cubs born at National Zoo’s Front Royal campus on Valentine’s Day

Clouded leopard cubs born at National Zoo’s Front Royal campus on Valentine’s Day

Staff had been on a pregnancy watch focused on the 3 1/2-year-old clouded leopard Jao Chu (JOW-chew) for four days. Jao Chu gave birth to the first cub at 6:04 p.m. and the second cub at 6:20 p.m. [...more]

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NEW ACQUISITION: Remains of William Taylor White (1837-1852) donated to Smithsonian with his coffin and clothing

NEW ACQUISITION: Remains of William Taylor White (1837-1852) donated to Smithsonian with his coffin and clothing

White, who was a student at Columbian College from Accomack County, Va., died of pneumonia and complications from a mitral heart defect. When his coffin was unearthed, his identity was a deep mystery. [...more]

New Acquisitions, anthropology Comments (2)

Meet our Scientists—Videos!

Caught on camera!

This short video of an ocelot was taken by Smithsonian scientists during a recent camera-trap survey of these animals in the Peruvian Amazon. [...more]

(Courtesy of Joseph Kolowski)

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