Smithsonian Magazine

Confined to hidden sinkhole lakes in the Panhandle, the Florida threadleaf sundew is both a discovery and a warning bell for a vanishing ecosystem that’s long been ignored. bit.ly/4szvVtd

After more than 150 years of excavations, the object is the first musical instrument ever discovered in the ruins of the ancient city, which is located in modern-day Turkey. bit.ly/3V49EHo

Amphibians are known for straddling two worlds, dwelling on land and in water at different points in their lives. In fact, their name means “double life” in Greek. But no amphibian species has ever been known to reside exclusively in a marine environment—until now. bit.ly/4zcbgh6

Drug-resistant “superbugs” are now killing more than 50,000 Americans and infecting nearly 10 million each year. bit.ly/4zWdiSw

The mallard is a familiar inhabitant of North America’s waterways. Few birds seem more ordinary, or more unmistakably wild. But beneath those familiar feathers lies a hidden history that toes the line between nature and domestication. bit.ly/4iLMxcD

It would be difficult to pick the coolest, the best or the most unique species, but few would argue that cuddly, soft, adorable bunnies are among the cutest. With their bushy tails, whiskers and fuzzy, furry coats, they have hopped into the hearts of many humans. bit.ly/4iAwTk8

Why is the gunboat “Philadelphia” flat-bottomed? A look at how America’s oldest surviving warship was built, and what conservators are finding inside it today. bit.ly/4iLfDc1

The Brooklyn Museum’s “Art of Manga” exhibition highlights the “mangaka,” or creators, who have shaped the medium. Hundreds of original illustrations are making a rare trip to the United States. bit.ly/3V1LkpF

The brick was found at Tavsanli Hoyuk, an archaeological site in western Turkey. Humans and dogs in this region have had a close relationship for thousands of years. bit.ly/4szEUuc

Even though the brain structures of birds and mammals are different, a new study suggests that crows and primates have similar decision-making nerve cell circuitry. bit.ly/4yMfUBr

A pioneering labor organizer who co-founded the United Farm Workers union, Dolores Huerta spent a lifetime fighting for migrant laborers’ rights, advocating for women and supporting marginalized communities. bit.ly/4kgjEri

A new campaign encourages visitors to take in the lavish art above their heads at five historic sites across England. There are even cushions for maximum comfort while you gaze. bit.ly/47R5p4T

The birds strutted around North America for hundreds of thousands of years before hunters decimated their population. Credit its recovery to resourcefulness, a stubborn disposition and a little help. bit.ly/4zdAYlg

A comprehensive investigation of the sandstone megalith’s “geological fingerprint” suggests it did not originate in northeast Scotland, as a surprising study concluded in 2024, sending scientists back into the field to track down the enigmatic slab’s origins. bit.ly/47ZnQV9

Cracks along a giant Martian volcano, possibly above a magma chamber, might be spewing magmatic gases into the atmosphere, according to a new study. bit.ly/4isKdZ5

A previous polar vortex disruption contributed to the Great Texas Freeze in 2021. This time, the ongoing “super” El Niño might offset some of the collapse’s influence. bit.ly/4j2ERE1

New research suggests male hawkmoths have three distinct anti-bat, ultrasound-producing systems. These may have evolved independently up to seven times between 5 million and 30 million years ago. bit.ly/4BFdQxM

While restoring the Sistine Chapel, researchers discovered wavy groupings of brushstrokes which indicated that the artist used the special brushes to create a distinct crosshatching pattern. bit.ly/4zg8IOs

Organizers like Judy Heumann pressured officials to implement the first federal legislation protecting disabled Americans from civil rights violations. “Being Heumann,” a new film by director Siân Heder, dramatizes the 26-day demonstration. bit.ly/4emHHRK

In December 1944, a Nazi submarine torpedoed a Canadian merchant ship off the coast of Maine, killing 43 crew members on board. Now, more than eight decades later, divers say they’ve located the long-lost World War II wreck. bit.ly/4BSIEve