Museum of Science

Your brain can change your body… just by believing. 🧠 The placebo effect happens when expectation activates brain regions linked to pain and reward, triggering the release of chemicals like endorphins and dopamine. Your thoughts can activate real physiological responses.

Did our Sun grow up somewhere else entirely? ☀️🌌 A new study suggests our Sun was born much closer to the Milky Way’s center and then migrated outward billions of years ago. By studying thousands of “solar twins,” astronomers are uncovering how our star may have been pushed into a quieter neighborhood, one where life on Earth could actually take hold. 🔗 Read the full Space News Deep Dive: Solar Migration on our Substack: open.substack.com/pub/spacingout…

@fredhutch Watch the full interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Lawrence Corey, Former President of Fred Hutch Cancer Center, here: youtu.be/UhzhT6HPEQU

HIV is still here, and the science behind fighting it is still evolving. Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Lawrence Corey, Former President of @fredhutch, explain how modern HIV treatment uses combination antiretroviral drugs, sometimes combined into a single daily pill, to suppress the virus and help many people live long, healthy lives. They also underscore why prevention, public awareness, and vaccine research still matter, because new HIV infections continue to happen.

@m1kej @DukeU The science behind that feeling is pretty cooooool!

@museumofscience @DukeU 🥶

The reason why mint makes your mouth feel cold has just been discovered. New research from @DukeU shows that menthol, the cooling compound in mint, activates a cold-sensing protein channel in your mouth, skin, and eyes, sending your brain a “cold” signal even when the temperature has not changed. That discovery is helping scientists better understand how sensory signals work and could lead to new treatments for chronic pain and irritated eyes.

Would you rather time travel to the past or see the future of science? ⏳

On April 22, join us for a conversation on Indigenous knowledge, land stewardship, and climate resilience, led by Indigenous voices. Explore how traditional ecological knowledge offers vital insights for building a more sustainable and resilient future. 🎟 Free with pre-registration here: bit.ly/4d6vdhb

Science just proved sharks have best friends. 🦈 New research has found that bull sharks are not just lone hunters, they form social bonds and choose who they spend time with. Males are the most connected, while older females are the most sought after. These friendships may help them learn, find food, and even find mates. Even apex predators rely on connection to survive.

The most remote place on Earth is closer to space than to land. 🌊🚀 Point Nemo is about 2,700 km (1,700 miles) from the nearest land. The closest humans are often astronauts on the ISS, orbiting about 400 km above Earth.

Why do red-headed side-neck turtles need “murky” water? 🐢 Meet Mimosa, a red-headed side-neck turtle and one of the newest residents at the museum. Her tea-colored water is designed to mimic the Amazon’s blackwater rivers, where leaf litter and organic material release compounds that naturally support turtle health. While it may look cloudy, this environment is actually clean, intentional, and carefully recreated by animal care experts to help her thrive in conditions that mirror the wild.

Thank you @GWtweets Today for featuring my Digital Science Communication fellowship with the @museumofscience 🌎📲🌱! gwtoday.gwu.edu/gw-research-as…

What celestial event is on your bucket list to witness? 🌌

Are we finally going back to the Moon? 🚀 @NASA has rolled the Artemis II rocket out to the launchpad after repairs, bringing the first crewed Artemis mission one step closer to a launch attempt now targeted for April 1. Artemis II will send four astronauts around the Moon and back aboard the Orion spacecraft, testing the systems needed for future lunar missions and helping pave the way for human exploration deeper into space.

Genetic data is often on the order of 1-million-Dimensional. How on earth does one visualize this? PCA! In my sixth popgen / ancient DNA video, I give a (very) high level intuition for what PCAs are doing and how we can use them to reduce them dimensions of genetic data

On Saturday, March 28 step into the vibrant world of Barbie Land in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie as part of our Women’s History Month Celebration. Get tickets for free here: bit.ly/3NwfiOU

You know that fresh, earthy smell right before or after rain? It’s called petrichor. 🌧️ When raindrops hit dry soil, they release plant oils and a compound called geosmin made by soil bacteria, sending that scent into the air. That cozy “rain is coming” smell is actually chemistry rising from the ground.

Learn more about Dr. Jessica Taaffe and more IF/THEN Women here: mos.org/discover/if-th…

Better health starts with stronger questions and the science to answer them. Dr. Jessica Taaffe is a global health scientist driven by research that improves lives around the world. For her, the most rewarding part is seeing science turn into healthier futures. This project is part of IF/THEN®, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies.