The Smithsonian Institution is a renowned group of museums and research centers established in 1846, primarily located in Washington, D.C. It was founded through the bequest of British scientist James Smithson and has grown into the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. The institution includes 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and various research facilities. Noteworthy among these are the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the National Museum of Natural History. The Smithsonian is dedicated to public education and scholarship in fields ranging from art and history to science and technology. It is federally funded but also receives support through private donations and its own revenue-generating operations. The institution’s extensive collections and commitment to the diffusion of knowledge make it an indispensable resource for both researchers and the public.
Oyster sanctuaries in Chesapeake Bay are enhancing oyster populations and marine biodiversity, despite the presence of native parasites. Oyster sanctuaries are among the most hotly…
Study explores an ancient lineage of marine invertebrates, including soft corals, pushes back the previous oldest dated example of trait by nearly 300 million years….
The discovery illuminates the origins of living frogs and other amphibians, while also paying tribute to the iconic Muppet. Scientists have uncovered the fossilized skull…
The Moon’s contraction causes fault scarps and moonquakes in the south pole, posing risks for lunar outposts. Findings from a recently published paper led by…
Researchers caution that harvests must be sustainably managed to preserve populations for future generations. In a new research study, scientists Stewart Edie of the Smithsonian, Shan Huang of the University…
Cut marks on a fossil leg bone belonging to a relative of modern humans were made by stone tools and could be evidence of cannibalism….
The new treatment provides a viable alternative to traditional antibiotic treatment, minimizing the threat of resistant pathogenic bacteria. Scientists from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of…
New experiments have called into question a popular explanation for the properties that give rise to dry land. Despite being a crucial factor in making…
For many years, researchers have been studying a state park in Nevada, but despite their efforts, the reason for the high number of ichthyosaur deaths…
Discovery sheds light on the tuatara, the last living member of a once-diverse group of reptiles that has almost entirely been supplanted by lizards. A…
Recovery of baleen whales to pre-whaling levels could restore lost ocean function and may help curb climate change. New research co-authored by Nicholas Pyenson, curator of…
Earth’s Oldest Minerals Date Onset of Plate Tectonics to 3.6 Billion Years Ago Ancient zircons from the jack hills of western Australia hone date of…
Study of Himalayan songbirds in museum collections is first step toward using feathers to predict the effects of climate change for birds in extreme environments….
Three 2,000-year-old cobs in Honduras show that people brought corn varieties back to Mesoamerica, possibly sparking productivity and shaping civilization. Some 9,000 years ago, corn…
New drill core shows a boom-bust landscape in the east African rift valley at a defining moment in human evolution, technology and culture. For hundreds…
Packed pigment granules help them blend in without blowing their cover. If there were a stagehand of the sea, wearing black to disappear into the…
Ultra-black fish skin absorbs more than 99.5% of light in a new, extremely efficient way, a discovery that may advance high-tech optical and camouflage technology….
Jellyfish Can Sting Swimmers, Prey With “Mucus Grenades” Interdisciplinary research team discovers, describes new free-floating jellyfish stinging structures. In warm coastal waters around the world,…