Smithsonian Magazine
Could there be microplastics in your brain?

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- Could there be microplastics in your brain?
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- How do you feel about having microplastics in your brain? New research shows that 7 grams of these tiny plastics, roughly the weight of a plastic spoon, could be in your brain right now! What could this mean for your health?

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- What Does a Cowboy Look Like?
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- The legend of the cowboy—celebrated in literature and film—has become central to the history of the American West. This romanticized image often overlooks the rich diversity that shaped cowboy culture. In reality, cowboys included Indigenous herders, African-American cattle hands, and Mexican vaqueros, each bringing unique skills and traditions. This diverse legacy continues today, showcasing that the true history of the cowboy is a multicultural story unlike what we’re shown in the movies.
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A little more information:
Cowboys originated with Spanish settlers in the 1500s, who introduced cattle ranching and horseback riding to the Americas. By the 1800s, as the U.S. expanded westward, cowboys became essential to managing cattle across vast, often rugged landscapes. These cowhands faced harsh conditions, from long cattle drives to unpredictable weather.
Over time, these cattle ranchers became a symbol of American frontier life, shape...

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- The Gory Origins of Valentine's Day
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- Typically, Valentine’s Day conjures up images of truffles and teddy bears - all wrapped in a heart-shaped bow. Is this holiday really a day about love? Or…death? Turns out, the history of Valentine’s Day is a little more tumultuous – and bloody – than expected.
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A little more information:
Valentine's Day has a bizarre history. Its origins are partly linked to Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr who was executed for secretly marrying couples against the orders of Emperor Claudius II of Rome.
And when was this holy priest decapitated?
That’s right: February 14, 273 AD.
Eventually, the history of this martyrdom transformed into a celebration of romance – especially during the 14th century, when courtly love flourished. Aided by medieval poets like Geoffrey Chaucer, who linked the day to lovers in his poem “The Parlement of Foules,” the romantic nature of the holiday gained momentum.
W...

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- Why Auroras Are Suddenly Everywhere All at Once
- Date posted
- 14 days ago
- Description
- For millennia, auroras have both enchanted and haunted human beings. Ancient lore is filled with myths attempting to explain what caused the celestial phenomenon. More recent historic documentation of auroras may even help us predict damaging solar storms in the future.
As we head into a year expected to bring the best northern lights in two decades, we consider the science behind auroras and why they are suddenly so plentiful—even in places that hardly qualify as northern.
In this episode, Jo Marchant, author of The Human Cosmos (https://amzn.to/4aHIiu9) , and Smithsonian science editor Carlyn Kranking revel in auroras through the ages and explain how to view these dazzling displays yourself.
Tap here (https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental) to see the NOAA tracker mentioned in the episode.
Read Carlyn's coverage of auroras here (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/you-could-see-daz...

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- National Treasure: The Fearsome Science Behind the T. rex, the King of the Dinosaurs
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- Known for its massive size, powerful jaws and razor-sharp teeth, the Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the most fearsome predators of the Late Cretaceous period. Today, scientists continue to uncover new details about its behavior, movement and role in ancient ecosystems. And of course, there’s the age-old question: What’s the deal with those tiny arms?
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A little more information:
One of the most complete and well-preserved T. rex skeletons ever discovered was unearthed in 1988 by rancher Kathy Wankel in Montana. This remarkable find was significant not only for the high percentage of the skeleton recovered—approximately 80 percent of the bones—but also for the level of detail it provided about the T. rex’s anatomy.
The discovery was a rare glimpse into the life of one of Earth's most awe-inspiring predators.
In 2019, the Nation’s T. rex went on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, where ...

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- Don’t Miss this Rare Planetary Alignment
- Date posted
- 19 days ago
- Description
- Look up at the sky tonight! You can catch a glimpse of Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn with the naked eye. If you pull out a a pair of binoculars, you'll also see Uranus and Neptune. And mark your calendar for the end of February: Mercury will join the parade, making all seven planets in our galaxy visible at the same time!

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- What Is an Aurora?
- Date posted
- 19 days ago
- Description
- Auroras emit swirling hues in the sky, mesmerizing spectators with their bands of color. Different hues come from different gases—for instance, oxygen makes green, nitrogen makes purple. It’s like a cosmic dance party in the sky—one that all of us can join.
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A little more information:
Auroras are not just stunning light displays—they are wondrous scientific phenomena.
Their streams of color are caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with Earth’s magnetic field and supercharging gases in the atmosphere. These interactions create vivid patterns in the sky, primarily seen in polar regions. Notably, the bright hues of the aurora depend on the type of gas—and the altitude at which the collisions occur.
You can typically spot the aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere and the aurora australis in the Southern Hemisphere—and, in a cool twist, right now is a prime time to see them!
Auroras ...

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- What Are the Santa Ana Winds?
- Date posted
- 26 days ago
- Description
- The California wildfires have scorched more than 40,000 acres of land and displaced thousands of families. A big reason for their intensity is the strange phenomena known as the Santa Ana winds, or "devil" winds. How much do you know about these extremely powerful wind gusts?
#santaanawinds #devilwinds #californiawildfires
🎥: USFS Region 5

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- National Treasure: The Giant Panda Steals Hearts (and Bamboo) at the National Zoo
- Date posted
- 26 days ago
- Description
- Known for their distinctive black-and-white fur, giant pandas are one of the most recognizable and beloved creatures in the world. After a brief hiatus, these furry animals are back at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo – where visitors can now meet the adorable two-year-old duo, Bao Li and Qing Bao, all the way from China.
Read about the Zoo's new pandas here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-national-zoos-giant-pandas-are-finally-making-their-public-debut-180985867/
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A little more information:
Despite their large size, pandas primarily feed on bamboo, which flourishes in the mountainous forests of China. Their striking black-and white coat helps them blend into the snowy environments and dense bamboo forests of their homeland.
Thanks to significant conservation efforts, including habitat preservation, anti-poaching laws, and breeding programs, the population of pandas has seen a steady incr...

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- How to Use Renaissance Paintings to Improve the Farming of Tomorrow
- Date posted
- 27 days ago
- Description
- Italian researcher Isabella Dalla Ragione has a most unusual job. An “arboreal archaeologist,” Dalla Ragione scours Renaissance paintings and medieval archives, discovering endangered fruits that might be revived. Her life’s work offers a possible solution to the problem of monocrops.
Year after year, agricultural giants cultivate the same varieties of the same fruits and vegetables, while many other varieties have fallen to the wayside. Monocrops contribute to climate change and are highly susceptible to its consequences, jeopardizing our food supply.
In this episode, Isabella and Smithsonian contributing writer Mark Schapiro discuss the importance and challenges of protecting biodiversity and agriculture in the midst of a changing climate — and why it matters.
Read Mark's story for Smithsonian magazine here (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/meet-italian-fruit-detective-who-investigates-centuries-old-pain...

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- Why the Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge Was a Depression-Era Nightmare for the Workers
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Do you know the grisly history behind the Golden Gate Bridge? Today, it's one of the world’s most photographed bridges. But did you know that 11 workers died while the bridge was being built? Working on the bridge meant dangerous conditions and long hours, but the bridge did finally open to pedestrians in 1937.

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- Coming January 23: There’s More to That from Smithsonian magazine and PRX, Season 2
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Smithsonian magazine covers history, science and culture in the way only we can — through rich reporting sparked by our editors’ insatiable curiosity. On There’s More to That, meet the magazine’s journalists and hear what they think about the biggest issues of our time. Find out how much more there is to… almost everything.

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- RE-BROADCAST: Meet the Wide-Awakes, The Club of Cape-Wearing Activists Who Helped Elect Lincoln a...
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- We’re busy at work on our new season, which will hit your feeds later this month. In the meantime, we’re bringing you an episode of the Smithsonian Institution’s podcast Sidedoor to tide you over. Smithsonian curator of political history Jon Grinspan takes you inside the story of the Wide Awakes, a group of torch-bearing (https://www.si.edu/object/campaign-parade-torch-1868:nmah_497300) young activists who helped elect Abraham Lincoln and spurred the nation toward Civil War. Grinspan recently wrote about the Wide Awakes (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/club-cape-wearing-activists-helped-elect-lincoln-spark-civil-war-180984000/) in an issue of Smithsonian magazine. We’ll be back soon with all new episodes to kick off our second season. Happy new year!

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- Four Ways We Remember Former President Jimmy Carter
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Former president Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, 2024 at the age of 100. Our longest-lived president, Jimmy Carter leaves behind a legacy of dedicated public service and humanitarian efforts.

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- Behold the World's Smallest Monkey: The Pygmy Marmoset
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Pygmy marmosets are the world's smallest monkeys, measuring just five inches in body length and weighing only four ounces. From their adorable facial expressions to their remarkable social skills, you'll fall in love with these miniature marvels.
We sent acclaimed nature photographer Neil Ever Osborne to check them out, and luckily, he came back with stunning footage.
Read more about the marmosets and see Neil’s photography here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/adorable-endangered-worlds-smallest-monkey-pygmy-marmoset-180985628/
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A little more information:
Native to the rainforests of the western Amazon Basin, pygmy marmosets are incredibly agile and thrive in dense vegetation. They have adapted to their tiny size by being excellent tree climbers.
These monkeys have a diet primarily consisting of insects, fruits, and tree sap, which they extract using specialized teeth. Highly social, they live ...

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- How to watch tonight’s meteor shower ☄
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- The annual quadrantid meteor shower is peaking TONIGHT (January 2, 2025). If you want to see potentially up to 200 shooting stars per hour, find your way to a spot with clear skies and away from light pollution
Read more here https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-to-watch-the-quadrantid-meteor-shower-an-intense-spectacle-with-a-short-but-strong-peak-180985743/
![[Rebroadcast] Meet The 6888: The WWII Battalion of Black Women That Inspired the New Netflix Film](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HqL1goZDZvo/3.jpg)
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- [Rebroadcast] Meet The 6888: The WWII Battalion of Black Women That Inspired the New Netflix Film
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- [First released in 2023.] The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was the only unit comprised entirely of Black women to have been deployed overseas during World War II, and it had served a critical function: clearing the backlog of mail that marked the only line of communication between American soldiers in Europe and their loved ones back home.
In this episode, we speak with retired Army Colonel Edna Cummings, who made it her business to get the 6888 their belated recognition, and with Smithsonian magazine senior writer Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, who wrote about Col. Cummings' quest (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-all-black-female-WWII-unit-saved-morale-battlefield-180981540/) for the March 2023 issue of Smithsonian.
NOTE: On December 20, Netflix will debut "The Six Triple Eight," a movie that dramatizes the heroic story of the battalion. Starring Kerry Washington and featuring Oprah Winfrey, the film is directed by Tyler Perry...

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- 5 Record-Breaking Bird Migrations
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Birds: nature's ultimate travelers, undertaking jaw-dropping migrations that push the boundaries of endurance, speed and altitude. From the longest migratory routes to record-breaking heights, these avian wonders are true flight experts.
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A little more information:
Bird migration is a key piece in understanding biodiversity and global ecosystems. Migrations can span thousands of miles, with some species flying nonstop across vast distances.
This behavior is often triggered by changes in temperature, food availability and daylight as the seasons change.
In the Northern Hemisphere, many birds migrate south for the winter to avoid freezing temperatures and the scarcity of food. In the spring, they return north to take advantage of the abundance of food and suitable breeding conditions.
Overall, it’s an awe-inspiring phenomenon that showcases the resilience and adaptability in nature.
#birding #birdw...

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- National Treasure: The Mold Behind the Miracle of Penicillin
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Discover the fascinating story of penicillin, an antibiotic that revolutionized the medical world. From its humble beginnings as a mold to its widespread use in treating bacterial infections, penicillin's journey through history is a testament to human innovation and perseverance.
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A little more information:
Discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, penicillin became the first true antibiotic in the field of medicine.
It all started when Fleming noticed that a mold – Penicillium notatum –had contaminated his Petri dish and killed surrounding bacteria.
This serendipitous finding laid the groundwork for the mass production of penicillin during World War II, significantly reducing infection-related deaths among soldiers. Researchers like Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain played crucial roles in its development, leading to widespread clinical use by the 1940s.
Penicillin not only transformed the treatment of ...

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- The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe May Never Be Solved
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Uncover the dark and curious truth behind the death of one of America's most beloved authors, Edgar Allan Poe. For centuries, the circumstances surrounding his death have remained shrouded in mystery, sparking endless speculation and debate. Was it murder, disease, or something even more sinister?
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A little more information:
In 1849, Edgar Allan Poe was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore. He was taken to a hospital but died four days later, with no clear explanation for his condition.
Theories about his demise range from alcoholism to rabies to a neurological disorder. Some suggest a more sinister plot, involving foul play or a conspiracy.
Despite extensive speculation, Poe's death ultimately remains an enigma, adding to the haunting allure of his literary legacy.
#unsolvedmysteries #gothicliterature #theraven #edgarallanpoe #truecrime #Smithsonianmagazine
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.co...

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- This 1935 Florida Hurricane Had a Devastating Impact
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- On September 2, 1935, Florida was hit by the most intense hurricane ever recorded—a category 5. Despite early warnings by the weather authorities, a calamitous loss of life shocked the nation

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- Subscribe to Smithsonian Magazine
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Receive a free Smithsonian tote bag with your paid order. Subscribe here: https://subscribe.smithsonianmag.com/?idx=1225&inetz=pop-up-video

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- Ouija Board: The Mysterious Origins of a Cultural Obsession
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- The Ouija board might seem like a simple game that sparks spooky childhood memories, but have you ever pondered its mysterious history? Even more importantly, does it actually…work? Uncover the fascinating truth behind the game and its unusual origins.
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A little more information:
In the late 19th century, Americans were captivated by Spiritualism, the belief that the dead could communicate with the living. Charles Kennard saw the commercial potential in this trend, leading to the creation of the Ouija board. Yet, the backstory behind its invention, its rules, and even its name are all wrapped up in uncertainty.
One thing is certain: the more turbulent the times, the more popular the game became – particularly during World War II and the social upheaval of the late 1960s.
Ultimately, the allure of the Ouija board lies in its ability to tap into human imagination and curiosity. Whether regarded as a nostalgic artif...

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- This 5,000-Year-Old Tomb Is Spectacularly Preserved
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Despite the fact that it’s over 5,000 years old, Maeshowe, Orkney's answer to Stonehenge, is in amazing shape. But why did Neolithic Britons go to such great lengths to build it?

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- The Changing Colors of Deciduous Leaves
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- As foliage darkens in the fall, the pigments within the plant matter break down and transform

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- National Treasure: Sing a Song With Ella Jenkins, the Beloved First Lady of Children’s Music
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Discover how Ella Jenkins' joyful songs and storytelling have inspired generations of young listeners, while her commitment to advocacy has profoundly affected the world of music and beyond.
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For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Director of Programming: Nicki Marko
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Producer & Editor: Sierra Theobald
Motion Designer: Ricardo Jaimes

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- Ask Smithsonian: How Long Can a Person Hold Their Breath?
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Gasp! The answer will amaze you.
Still Image Credit: MaFelipe / iStock

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- The Best Small Towns to Celebrate Fall
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Travel to Oregon, Minnesota, North Dakota and Rhode Island to see beautiful autumn foliage and much more.
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For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Video Editor: Sierra Theobald

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- National Treasure: The Hirshhorn Is Brutalism's Boldest Donut
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is renowned for its striking architecture and impressive collection of contemporary art. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about that concrete donut on the National Mall, learn more about its Brutalist background in this new episode of National Treasure.
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To find out more about the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, read below:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/hirshhorn-museum-building-went-from-iconoclast-icon-180984914/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Director of Programming: Nicki Marko
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Producer & Editor: Sierra Theobald
Motion Designer: Ricardo Jaimes

- Title
- 10 Fun Facts About Bioluminescence
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- Discover the incredible ways in which living organisms illuminate the darkness of the deep sea, lush forests, and even our own backyards.
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For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Director of Programming: Nicki Marko
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Video Editor: Sierra Theobald

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- National Treasure: The Feud Behind the Peacock Room
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The Peacock Room at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art has it all: friendship, betrayal, revenge, and… peacocks. Learn more about the iconic artist James McNeill Whistler and his shocking feud with patron Frederick Leyland in this new episode of National Treasure.
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To learn more about the Peacock Room at Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, read below:
How Golden Peacocks on a Dining Room Wall Destroyed a Longstanding Friendship in Victorian Society
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-golden-peacocks-on-a-dining-room-wall-destroyed-a-longstanding-friendship-in-victorian-society-180984735/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Director of Programming: Nicki Marko
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Producer & Editor: Sierra Theobald
Motion Designer: Ricardo Jaimes

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- As Hurricanes Get Stronger, Can a $34 Billion Plan Save Texas?
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- After Hurricane Ike destroyed thousands of homes and inflicted an estimated $30 billion in damages in 2008, engineers hatched an ambitious plan to protect southeast Texas and its coastal refineries and shipping routes from violent storms. The $34 billion collaboration spearheaded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a harbinger of the type of massive public works projects that could be required to protect coastal cities like New York and Miami as sea levels rise and hurricanes become less predictable and more severe due to climate change.
Smithsonian magazine contributor and Texas native Xander Peters reflects on his experiences growing up in a hurricane corridor and tells us how the wildly ambitious effort came together. Then, Eric Sanderson, an ecological historian, tells us how the project could be applied to other low-lying coastal cities.
Read Xander Peters' Smithsonian magazine story about the Ike Dike here (https://www.smithsonianmag.com...

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- This Truffle Dog Is Facing a Really Challenging Truffle Hunt
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Lola, a Lagotto Romagnolo trained to sniff out and dig up black truffles in her native Washington, is ready for a challenge: to find truffles out of season on a hot day where their distinctive odor dissipates really quickly. Video courtesy of Smithsonian Channel.

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- The Untold Secrets of King Tut's Tomb
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Do you ever wonder what secrets lie beneath the sands of Egypt? Prepare to be astonished as we unveil the untouched tomb of King Tutankhamun.
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For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Video Editor: Sierra Theobald

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- What Is the James Webb Space Telescope?
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- For more than a year now, the world has been treated to breathtaking images of the outer reaches of our universe from the NASA instrument. But how does it even work?
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For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Video Editor: Sierra Theobald

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- Chuck Yeager Press Conference, 1953
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- By 1953, six years after the Bell X-1 first went supersonic, that airplane and others were routinely flying at more than twice the speed of sound. On December 17, 1953the 50th anniversary of the Wright brothers first powered flight at Kitty HawkMajor Yeager sat down at the Pentagon for an informal press briefing to discuss his own Mach 2.43 flight in the X-1 five days earlier. Video: Department of Defense, Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration

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- How to Sweat Like an Olympian
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Have you ever felt embarrassed by the need to carry a towel, or even a fresh shirt, with you during the most sweltering months of the year? You shouldn’t. Sweating is one of the most remarkable ways our bodies protect themselves when the mercury heads north.
With summer temperatures spiking around the world as the sweat-filled Olympic Games begin in Paris, we’re joined by Sarah Everts, a Smithsonian contributor and the author a marvelous book called The Joy of Sweat: The Strange Science of Perspiration. She explains why the body’s thermostat is so ingenious, and how it cools athletes—and the rest of us. Plus: A series of snack-sized anecdotes about the Olympics!
Let us know what you think of our show, and how we can make it better, by completing our There's More to That listener survey here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfS90zjBZ2oGa9JxVa-R5affKcOHaR2-ib1_KZeWm3HDQXJIA/viewform) .
Find prior episodes of our...

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- 5 Surprising Facts About Pompeii
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- This immersive archaeological exploration of Pompeii, a once-thriving Roman city, will transport you back in time – before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
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For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Video Editor: Sierra Theobald

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- Survey: Help Us Design Our Future Season
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- We're over here making podcasts, and you're over there listening. Let's bridge that gap! We want to know more about you, like: why you're listening, what your favorite topics are, and what Smithsonian magazine can do to make "There's More to That" even better. Tell us what you think at smithsonianmag.com/podcastsurvey (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/podcastsurvey) .

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- The Dark and Deadly History of the Plague
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- What caused the Plague? And what methods did people use to combat the spread? Learn about its origins, past outbreaks (including the Black Death), and the long-lasting impact of its legacy today.
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For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Producer: Nicki Marko
Producer: Sierra Theobald
Video Editor: Natalie Cline
Graphic Designer: Kevin Schoenblum

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- The Wild Story of What Happened to Pablo Escobar’s Hungry, Hungry Hippos
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Four decades ago, Pablo Escobar brought to his Medellín hideaway four hippopotamuses, the centerpieces of a menagerie that included llamas, cheetahs, lions, tigers, ostriches and other exotic fauna. After Colombian police shot Escobar dead in December 1993, veterinarians removed the animals—except the hippos, which were deemed too dangerous to approach. The hippos fled to the nearby Magdalena River and multiplied.
Today, the descendants of Escobar’s hippos are believed to number nearly 200. Their uncontrolled growth threatens the region’s fragile waterways. Smithsonian contributor Joshua Hammer joins us to recount this strange history and explain why Colombian conservationists have embarked upon an unusual program to sterilize these hippos in the wild via “invasive surgical castration,” a procedure that is, as he has written (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/pablo-escobar-abandoned-hippos-wreaking-havoc-colombian-jungle-180984494/) for Smi...

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- National Treasure: The History of the Lie Detector
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Have you ever wondered whether lie detectors actually...work? Join us as we delve into the history and science behind these devices - from how they measure "deception" to the controversies surrounding their use.
This video is the first episode of the National Treasure series, where we share behind-the-scenes stories of objects in the Smithsonian Collections.
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To learn more about the exhibition "Forensic Science on Trial" at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, read below:
What a 100-Year-Old Lie Detector and 150-Year-Old Arsenic Tests Tell Us About Forensic Science Today
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/what-a-100-year-old-lie-detector-and-150-year-old-arsenic-tests-tell-us-about-forensic-science-today-180984623/
Forensic Science on Trial
https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/forensic-science-trial
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly

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- ‘The Crime of the Century,’ a Century Later
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- The past hundred years have seen more than one high-profile prosecution branded as the “crime of the century.” The shocking 1924 crime that was among the first to carry the title turned out to be a harbinger of how public mania around criminal cases could influence the legal system, and how psychiatry would be used and abused by prosecutors and defense attorneys alike as the 20th century wore on and gave way to the 21st.
Smithsonian editor Meilan Solly introduces us to teens Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb and their botched, but still deadly, effort to perpetrate “the perfect crime.” (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-leopold-and-loeb-committed-cold-blooded-murder-in-the-crime-of-the-century-180984345/) What happened next was also surprising: After confessing to the abduction and murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks, they were spared capital punishment thanks to their famed attorney Clarence Darrow. True-crime historian Kate Winkler Dawson then tells...

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- What 'Bridgerton' Gets Right About the Regency Era
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- From gender roles to etiquette to fashion, step back in time to learn more about the real lives of the Regency women who inspired 'Bridgerton.'
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To read more about the Regency era - and 'Bridgerton' - check out these articles from Smithsonian Magazine:
What 'Bridgerton' Gets Wrong About Corsets:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-bridgerton-gets-wrong-about-corsets-180976691/
The Real History Behind 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story'
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-real-history-behind-queen-charlotte-a-bridgerton-story-180982130/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Producer: Nicki Marko
Video Editor: Sierra Theobald

- Title
- The Best Small Towns to Celebrate Summer
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- From charming streets to stunning scenery, consider Hawaii, Idaho, Massachusetts, or New York for your next summer adventure.
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For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Producer: Nicki Marko
Producer: Sierra Theobald
Editor: Michael Kneller

- Title
- America’s Best New Restaurant Celebrates the Flavors of West Africa
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- African cuisine has always been well represented in the United States, particularly in dishes characterized as “Southern” in origin, like gumbo or hoppin’ john. But even before chef Serigne Mbaye’s New Orleans eatery Dakar NOLA was named (https://www.eater.com/24175309/james-beard-awards-2024-winners-restaurant-and-chef-awards) the Best New Restaurant of 2024 at the James Beard Awards this week, the contributions of the African diaspora to the American diet had at last begun to enjoy a long-overdue reappraisal via reality television, Netflix docuseries and, most important, a number of widely praised dining establishments: If you want to book a table at Tatiana (https://www.tatiananyc.com/story/) in Manhattan, Dept of Culture (https://www.deptofculturebk.com/) in Brooklyn or Kann (https://kannrestaurant.com/) in Portland, you’d better plan ahead, because their tables are often booked up well in advance.
In this episode, Smithsonian contributor Rosalind ...

- Title
- Don't Call the Blobfish Ugly
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- From its unique appearance to its habitat and behavior, here's everything you need to know about this mysterious deep-sea creature. Dive into the world of the blobfish and discover why it has become an iconic symbol of marine life.
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For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Producer: Nicki Marko
Video Editor: Sierra Theobald
Graphic Designer: Kevin Schoenblum

- Title
- How Americans Got Hooked on Counting Calories More Than A Century Ago
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- In 1918, Lulu Hunt Peters—one of the first women in America to earn a medical doctorate—published the best seller Diet and Health With Key to the Calories, making a name for herself as an apostle for weight reduction in an era when malnutrition was a far greater public health threat than obesity. She pioneered the idea of measuring food intake via the calorie, which at the time was an obscure unit of measurement familiar only to chemists.
A century later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db360.htm) that 42 percent of American adults are clinically obese and that Type 2 diabetes is on the rise (https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p1229-future-diabetes-surge.html) . With those who can afford it now turning to pharmaceuticals to help them lose weight, we’ll examine why and how calorie counting has failed to help Americans maintain a “healthy” weight.
In this episo...

- Title
- 7 Weirdest Bird Calls
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- When it comes to bird calls, every chirp, trill, and warble tells a story. From eerie screeches to melodic tunes, these distinctive sounds from nature are sure to surprise you.
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For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/
Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly
Supervising Producer: Michelle Mehrtens
Producer: Nicki Marko
Video Producer: Sierra Theobald
Video Editor: Michael Kneller
Script: Michelle Mehrtens, Michael Kneller
Audio provided by the Macaulay Library at Cornell Lab

- Title
- ENCORE: Those Orcas (Still) Aren't Doing What You Think
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Last summer, news reports of orcas deliberately tearing the propellers off of yachts in the Strait of Gibraltar thrilled observers who were eager to cast these intelligent and social pack hunters as class warriors striking a blow for the “common mammals” against the one percent. That turned out to be wishful thinking, according to guest Lori Marino, a biopsychologist who studies whale and dolphin intelligence. She told us that these six-ton whales were just having fun—if they wanted to harm the occupants of those boats, we’d know it.
Even so, these encounters are becoming a predictable seasonal occurrence between the months of May and August: A 50-foot charter vessel sank after its hull and rudder were damaged in an orca encounter near the Strait of Gibraltar on May 12. So here again is our episode on the perils of assigning human motives to wild animals, featuring Marino and Smithsonian assistant digital science editor Carlyn Kranking. This episode was or...