It has all the hallmarks of a paleontological crime scene: a massive graveyard along a remote desert highway containing the fossil bones of at least […]

The post Algae assassin found responsible for whale mass grave in Chile appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

National Museum of Natural History scientist Torsten Dikow discovered and named a new species of assassin fly, Burmapogon bruckschi, after studying the first two specimens […]

The post Ancient species of assassin fly discovered by Smithsonian scientist appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Stealthy. Aggressive. Lethal. Assassin flies are predators that hunt and feed on other insects. They are the third most diverse group of flies, with more […]

The post Killer Insect profile: The Assassin Fly appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

When a natural disaster strikes, it devastates lives and homes, and can even destroy a culture’s identity and history. After a disaster, humanitarian response is […]

The post Protecting Puerto Rico’s heritage from another disaster appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, curator of arachnids and myriapods Hannah Wood has examined and analyzed hundreds of pelican spiders both in the field […]

The post Pelican spiders: Ancient assassins that eat their own kind appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Recent botanical exploration efforts in the rugged Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia) have increased the known flora of the archipelago by an impressive 20 percent. Field research and collecting in conjunction with the Vascular Flora of the Marquesas Islands and Flore de la Polynesie française projects have yielded 62 new species of ferns and flowering plants bringing the total native species to 360, of which 18 are newly described and illustrated in a special issue of PhytoKeys.

The post Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia yield 18 new species of rare ferns and flowering plants appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Today the science academies of the G7 countries and seven additional academies issued three joint statements to their respective governments to inform discussions during the G7 summit to be held in May in Japan, as well as ongoing policymaking.

The academic biomedical research community should improve its ability to mitigate and recover from the impacts of disasters, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Our ability to observe and predict severe weather events and other disasters has improved markedly over recent decades, yet this progress does not always translate into similar advances in the systems used in such circumstances to protect lives.

A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study that is now underway aims to identify best practices for collecting, recording, and reporting death and illness data during and immediately after large-scale weather disasters.

The Deepwater Horizon accident raised concerns about the safety of deepwater drilling. From an analysis of risk assessments in the Norwegian Oil & Gas (O&G) Industry, a new study suggests that current safety approaches and indicators are limited and more extensive monitoring of drilling operations is needed to avoid events similar to Deepwater Horizon.

By analysing previous disasters, lessons learnt can be incorporated into policies and plans to manage the effects of future disasters. A recent study examining the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake in Italy suggests that although the national response effectively dealt with the emergency, longer-term measures to help local populations cope with the aftermath of the disaster need to be set out more clearly.

In the aftermath of natural disasters, displaced communities require temporary accommodation. A new study has examined how the built environment of these temporary communities influences their recovery and resilience, using accommodation set up after Hurricane Katrina as a case study. It highlights the importance of developing transitional built environments that consider the social and mental health needs of a community.

Tiny organisms called phytoplankton, which are crucial components of marine ecosystems, have been slowly disappearing over the last century, according to researchers. The decline is worrying because it may have profound effects on marine life, fisheries and carbon cycling. The study suggests the decline in phytoplankton could be linked to climate change.

When natural disasters, such as earthquakes, storms and hurricanes, are reported in the media, they are often accompanied by an assessment of the cost of the disaster. While such information can be useful to help governments and international organisations target aid and recovery efforts, the details of what is included in the assessment, and the methods used, are often unclear.

Fires in forests contaminated by the Chernobyl nuclear accident could lead to areas of Europe and Russia being exposed to further radioactive fallout, new research has found. The study examined the spread of the fallout and the health effects on people and animals under three different scenarios: 10, 50 and 100% of the forests being burnt.

A species faced with extinction is more than a potential tragedy for the species concerned. Human wellbeing and economy depend on the world’s biodiversity and ecosystem services, but human actions are damaging the environment and threatening the existence of countless organisms that have, or could provide, humankind with valuable medicines, according to a recent publication.

SASOL has adopted telepresence for collaboration between far-flung executives in Europe, North America and Africa. Running over the BT IP Connect global network it also enables federation with customers and suppliers. The solution’s earned Alec’s team a special recognition award from the CEO for bringing the company’s One SASOL philosophy and vision vibrantly to life

The long-anticipated Sprint/T-Mobile merger finally appears to be a reality. The Department of Justice approved the $26 billion deal today. There is still a lot to be learned about the merger, including how it might impact Kansas City. The biggest blow may be to our civic pride. It’s always hard to lose the headquarters of […]

Suggested names for the new TRAPPIST-1 system planets range from Planet McPlanetface to the series 'Friends.'

Video: The celebrity talks about his experience in the industry and how to move forward.

Video: Teams from the Disaster Research Center (DRC) go to devastated locations to learn more about how lives may be saved in the future.

Nearly 70 percent of the groundwater stored in parts of the United States' High Plains Aquifer could be used up within 50 years.

A new study finds the area around the former Fukushima power plant teeming with life.

Wastewater storage from fracking may be causing earthquakes. For now, Arkansas is stopping operations.

Authorities are still searching for possible victims after a natural gas explosion outside a popular restaurant sparked.

'Anatomy of a Disaster' announced only hours after disaster hits Japan.

Japan reflects on the 3rd anniversary of the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Meet Chris Robinson, an average California dad who just happens to be constructing a 22-foot-long tsunami escape pod out of plywood in his backyard.

New York City unveils a disaster housing plan centered around retrofitted shipping containers that boast interiors that are like 'CB2 meets Motel 6' and that ar

This week marks a somber time for NASA, with the anniversaries of three U.S. spaceflight disasters.

The Columbia space shuttle disaster in 2003 killed all 7 of its crew members, but a box of roundworms managed to survive the shuttle's disintegration.

Beyoncé ended the year on a sour note with members of the NASA community.

Using a sample from the very riser pipe that the plume escaped from, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution chemist Christopher Reddy and his team ascertained tha

Jason Alexander Byers uses an unusual material to make an environmental point.

The people of Harriman, Tenn., woke the morning of Dec. 23, 2008, to find their community awash in a billion gallons of toxic coal sludge.

Create your eco-friendly, organic culinary masterpiece wearing one of these sassy aprons.

Here are five serious sewage disasters in history, many of them caused by overwhelmed sewer systems. How we can prevent future ones from flowing our way?

Like any other aspect of running a business, the key to survival is preparation.

The idea grew out of disaster message boards that sprung up on Facebook after Japan's most recent natural disaster.

You want to donate after a disaster, but give wisely so your funds get to the people who need it most.

Escaped camel, cow and donkey in Kansas are 'halfway towards a live nativity.'

To meet China's insatiable demand for pork, Shuanghui International is turning to an American company to help 'bring home the bacon.'

Convenient tollway and business drop-off points, plus health insurance stipends, attract a new group of local veggie eaters.

Most disasters lie outside human control, but some of the world’s most devastating events have been caused by humans.

A team of experts say the deadly explosion was caused by a buildup of static electricity after flying through a thunderstorm.