Feb
07
Looking at air pollution from a different direction
A new study shows that even low levels of air pollution contribute to lung cancer. Continue reading Looking at air pollution from a different direction
Feb
03
As if we didn’t have enough to worry about
The Torch is itching to get to the bottom of a rash of recent news reports about bed bugs. Continue reading As if we didn’t have enough to worry about
Jan
24
Are we on the verge of a global pandemic? (UPDATED)
UPDATE Dr. Sabrina Sholts, curator of biological anthropology at the National Museum of Natural History, explains where the corona virus came from, how it is spreading and what you can do to prevent getting it. Continue reading Are we on the verge of a global pandemic? (UPDATED)
Jan
15
Arsenic and old books
How do you read an old book that might poison you? Very, very carefully. Continue reading Arsenic and old books
Jan
09
Artist at Work: Jackson Tanner
John Barrat profiles one of our Smithsonian colleagues whose work is on display in the Artists at Work exhibition. Continue reading Artist at Work: Jackson Tanner
Dec
19
From pagan magic to cancer cure? The mysteries of mistletoe
Many of us associate mistletoe with the annual tradition of hanging it in the doorway in hopes of a Christmas kiss, but that lingering whisper of old Norse mythology is just one aspect of this intriguing plant that exists all over the world. Continue reading From pagan magic to cancer cure? The mysteries of mistletoe
Dec
06
Slavery and the Smithsonian
On this date in 1865, the 13th amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery was ratified by the states. The complex legacy of slavery will always be part of our history; many of our most treasured institutions were built, quite literally, by enslaved people. Was the iconic Smithsonian Castle built with slave labor? Continue reading Slavery and the Smithsonian
Nov
26
Let’s talk turkey.
Did you know they served the astronauts on Skylab turkey and gravy in a tin can? We bet it was just as delicious as it sounds. Senior writer John Barrat takes us on a tour through the Smithsonian collections and discovers 25 turkey-related objects. Continue reading Let’s talk turkey.
Nov
20
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
We really don’t know a lot about the relationship between insects and plants millions of years ago, but a new fossil discovery shows that some species discovered an effective method of ensuring their survival that persists to this day. Continue reading If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
Oct
17
Not American Indians. Not Native Americans. Just Americans.
With Columbus Day behind us and Thanksgiving on the horizon, it’s a good time to re-examine the American mythos surrounding Indians. John Barrat takes us on a tour of “Americans.” Continue reading Not American Indians. Not Native Americans. Just Americans.
