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The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is 100 years old!

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is 100 years old!

Only some Indian artifacts and other ethnological exhibits were ready when some 1,600 curious guests made their way through the bronze doors of the Natural History Building on March 17, 1910. The star attraction was the Smithsonian’s art collection, installed in one of the building’s central galleries where it was to remain for almost 60 years. [...more]

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Fungi still visible in wood charcoal centuries after burning

Fungi still visible in wood charcoal centuries after burning

Scientists from the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, the University of Valencia in Spain and the University of Minnesota, recently made an important observation regarding charcoals from wood fires excavated at ancient archaeological sites. They verified that the remains of fungi that had been living in the wood before it was burned could clearly be seen [...] [...more]

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At 1,500,000 mph, twin stars in the constellation Cancer win speediest orbit award

At 1,500,000 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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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Meet our Scientists—Videos!

Science Spotlight


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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