Science Stories

New research from the Natural History Museum of Utah suggests a wild potato was likely domesticated here in the Four Corners Region.

Utah's oldest long-necked dinosaur has a complicated history, but it's beloved by paleontologists globally.

Looking at the fossil record of insects helps researchers trace the evolution of insect groups across time.

How did pterosaurs learn to fly? To understand their journey to the skies, we start by looking at some of their relatives.

Learn all about Utah's state gemstone, topaz, from Dave Richerson, a mineralogy specialist at NHMU.

If your favorite dinosaur is a pterodactyl, bad news: It wasn’t a dinosaur. It was a flying reptile.

To understand how birds evolved from their reptilian ancestors, paleontologist Jingmai O’Connor, Ph.D., studies the oldest known bird: Archaeopteryx.

Have you ever wondered why some mushrooms make you hallucinate? We have too, which is why we sat down with a mushroom expert to get the answer.

2025 has been a year of exciting discoveries! Check out six of the top science stories of the year.

Listen to mushroom expert Colin Domnauer explain the strange effects of Lilliputian mushrooms, including the sudden appearance of tiny people!

As you’re planning your next trip to one of Utah’s Mighty 5, consider taking a deeper dive into some of the natural history and science lessons of each area.

NHMU recently received a collection of items from the Reservation Era, items that open windows into what life was like for Indigenous communities at the time.