WEIRD FACTS
By Nick Lavars 2020 Apr 22 – The first comprehensive geological map of the Moon. – Drawing on data from satellites and Apollo-era missions, scientists at the US Geological Survey (USGS), NASA and the Lunar Planetary Institute have pieced together what they say is …
Narrated by Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar Richard Kurin, the 24-part video series blends history with modern mainstays. – The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Nicolas Raymond via Flickr under CC BY-2.0) – By Katherine J. Wu, SmithsonianMag.Com – 2020 Apr 20 – Over the …
A new study of ancient climate has a dire warning about today’s dry conditions. In the Catalina Mountains of southern Arizona, forests struggle to keep up with recent increases in drought and wildfire activity, which are expected to continue due to human-caused climate …
The SARS-CoV-2 virus endures for days on plastic or metal but disintegrates soon after landing on copper surfaces. Here’s why. Copper wire (Getty Images) By Jim Morrison, SmithsonianMag.Com – 2020 Apr 14 – When researchers reported last month that the novel coronavirus causing …
People are understandably looking for good news. But the truth is, we’re nowhere near controlling coronavirus. By William Hanage Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage – ‘Half your population needs to have been infected to achieve a level of population …
High-speed photography shows a sneeze can blast saliva and mucus well beyond current social distancing guidelines, and tiny droplets can remain in the air longer than thought. High-speed video imaging colored to reveal the two main components of a sneeze show a shower …
By Ben Coxworth – Fava beans – also known as broad beans or faba beans. akiyoko74/Depositphotos. – Many vegans and vegetarians swear by soy as a meat-free protein source, but concerns have been raised over the environmental sustainability of soybean farming. With that in …
New Orleans, Honolulu and Miami expected to be vulnerable – Research: advancing tides will ‘radically redefine the coastline’ – Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. Many locations are increasingly vulnerable to elevated high tides and stronger storms fueled by global heating. Photograph: Caleb Jones/AP By …
By Rich Haridy – We knew the distinctive smell of rain on dry earth was the result of a chemical released by bacteria, but new research helps explain why the bacteria evolved to do this. mihtiander/Depositphotos. – New research from an international team of …
By Nick Lavars 2020 Apr 07 – New research suggests we may have been underestimating the role the ocean plays in soaking up CO2 from the atmosphere. ongap_/Depositphotos. – The world’s oceans play an important role in regulating the amount of carbon dioxide in …
