SCIENCE

Switzerland Has a Unique Way of Trying to Save a Prized Glacier: Wrap It in Blankets

Believe it or not, that’s not even the weirdest way scientists have proposed to halt glacial melting.

Could Gigantic Coconut Crabs Have Played a Part in Amelia Earhart’s Mysterious Disappearance? At Least One Scientist Thinks So

Thirteen human bones that may have been Amelia Earhart’s were found and promptly lost. But what happened to the other 193?

Bombshell, Victoria’s Secret’s Bestselling Fragrance, Also Happens to Repel Mosquitoes

Want to ward off blood-sucking pests? DEET is still your best bet, but if you want something that smells a little sweeter, Bombshell is a reliable second pick.

Mystery Solved: Scientists Have Figured Out Why Some Squirrels Are Black

The black squirrel is an uncommon sight in the squirrel population. Scientists now believe they know why.

KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock via Getty Images

11 Scientifically Proven Tips for Relaxing

Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. But mowing the lawn could help, as can having a laugh. Science says so.

Why Do Cats Eat Grass? Scientists Might Have Figured It Out

Cats have a long list of mysterious behaviors, but now we know why some of them feel compelled to munch on the lawn.

Blood Collected From Mosquitoes Could One Day Be Used as Forensic Evidence

While blood collected from mosquitoes won’t be used to clone dinosaurs any time soon, it may one day be used as a tool to solve crime.

Why Do Chimpanzees Throw Poop?

Chimpanzees in captivity are known to throw their own poop at visitors. What's behind this crappy behavior?

The Reason Why Lobsters Turn Bright Red When You Boil Them

It isn't a result of burning them alive, in case the guilt was putting a damper on your delicious seafood feast.

Honey Bees Can Understand the Concept of Zero

Zero is an idea even young children struggle with, but bees are one of the few animal species that can figure it out.

Bees: Waugsberg via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0 / Thought balloon: Noto Project

Honeybees Go "Whoop!" When They Bump Into Each Other

They make the adorable sound with their wings when they're startled. You can listen to them for yourself.

15 Scientific Ways to Relax for National Relaxation Day

Today is National Relaxation Day, so you have a great excuse to take it easy. Here’s how science can help you have the most laid-back day of the year.

Shelter Dogs Are Being Trained to Protect Wildlife—by Sniffing Poop

With their amazing sense of smell and boundless energy, some shelter dogs are the perfect candidates for tracking and protecting endangered species.

William Jones-Warner/iStock via Getty Images

Honey Bees Can Get STDs, Too

Bees, like many animals, are polyandrous—meaning females partner with multiple mates. And they might need their own PSAs about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases.

Are Left-Handed People Really More Creative?

We associate left-handedness with intelligence, out-of-the-box thinking, and artistic talent. But are these flattering generalizations backed up by science?

5 Fascinating Facts About Middle Children

Statistically speaking, if you want to be president, being a middle child is a great first step to get you there.

How Often Do People Find Wild Animals In Their Salads? More Often Than You Want to Know

Have you ever found a frog in your prepackaged salad? If you answered "yes," you’re (unfortunately) not alone.

A Laugh Track Can Make Bad Jokes Seem Funnier, Study Finds

“Who is the best kung-fu vegetable? Brocco-Lee!” “What’s the best day to cook? Fry-day!” “What state has the smallest drinks? Mini-soda!”

5 Rules for the Paleo Diet from Actual Paleolithic Humans

The paleo diet recommends eating low-carb foods like our ancient ancestors if we want to reach optimum health. But it turns out that early humans in the Paleolithic era dined on more than just meat.

Harrison Duran with a partial Triceratops skull.

College Student Finds a 65-Million-Year-Old Triceratops Skull During Paleontology Dig in North Dakota

Harrison Duran, a dinosaur fanatic since childhood, discovered the partial triceratops skull on a dig in the Badlands of North Dakota.

Want to Reduce Your Stress In 10 Minutes? Pet a Cat or Dog

A new study shows that those puppy-playtime programs colleges host during finals season can actually be effective in just a few minutes.

England Is Being Invaded By a Swarm of Flying Ants That Can Be Seen From Space

The radar picked up some rain showers on England’s southern coast. But it was actually billions of flying ants.

Chimpanzees Bond by Watching Movies Together, Too

A new study shows that we’re less special than we thought: Apes can connect with each other by watching movies just like us.

Astronaut Eugene A. Cernan mans a Lunar Roving Vehicle during the Apollo 17 mission.

Get The Details On All 21 Successful Moon Landings With This Interactive Map

Apollo 11’s 50th anniversary is a great opportunity to explore the history of Moon landings with Smithsonian.com’s handy map.

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