Carl Sagan at his Cornell University laboratory in Ithaca, N.Y., in 1974. Santi Visalli, Inc./Archive Photos via Getty Images Jean-Luc Margot, University of California, Los Angeles On Nov. 9, 2024, the world will mark Carl Sagan’s 90th birthday – but sadly without Sagan, who died in 1996 at the age of 62. Most people remember […]
A photo of Jupiter taken by NASA’s Juno spacecraft in September 2023. NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS, image processing by Tanya Oleksuik Benjamin Roulston, Clarkson University Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to [email protected]. Why does Jupiter look like it has a […]
Ever wonder about the fascinating world of real-life “superpowers”? Check out this video where amazing conditions like Hyperthymestic Syndrome (giving people photographic memories), Tetrachromacy (allowing some to see a world of extra colors), and Myostatin-Related Muscle Hypertrophy (creating impressive natural strength) are explored. From Congenital Insensitivity to Pain to the rare “Vampire Syndrome,” each unique […]
Ever heard that cooking with black plastic utensils might not be the best choice for your health? If you’re even a little worried about things like microplastics in your food, you might want to rethink using that black plastic spatula or spoon in the kitchen. Here’s why: Some black plastics aren’t just regular plastic—they might […]
Ze Frank is back with a new episode of True Facts, and this one features parasitoid wasps. These wasps have parenting techniques that redefine creepy: from laying eggs inside living hosts to using paralyzing venom and virus manipulation. Ze Frank’s knack for comedic science storytelling sheds a bizarre light on wasps who avoid hands-on parenting […]
From their caramel centers to chocolatey coatings, several widely used candy-making processes go into the production of a single Snickers bar. NurPhoto / Contributor via Getty Images Richard Hartel, University of Wisconsin-Madison It’s Halloween. You’ve just finished trick-or-treating and it’s time to assess the haul. You likely have a favorite, whether it’s chocolate bars, peanut […]
Ever wondered what makes Sriracha the spicy superhero of sauces? This saucy little devil is equal parts science experiment and flavor explosion, turning humble chilies into a condiment that somehow manages to go with everything. Let’s dive into the chemistry that transforms this red delight into a must-have condiment, otherwise known as the “Get-on-Everything Sauce.” […]
When the clocks go back, things are even worse for night people. Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock Darren Rhodes, Keele University When the clocks go back and we gain an extra hour, it might seem like a welcome bonus. But not for everyone. Night owls, those who naturally prefer staying up late and waking up late, often find […]
Ah, coffee – humanity’s beloved brew. It’s the ultimate “morning fuel,” a little cup of joy, and, for some of us, an unsolicited escort to the bathroom. But why coffee makes you poop? Is it just a caffeinated mystery, or is there science behind coffee’s powerful pull on our plumbing? Let’s take a look under […]
Who will be first to return humans to the lunar surface? Merlin74 / Shutterstock Jacco van Loon, Keele University Will the next human to walk on the Moon speak English or Mandarin? In all, 12 Americans landed on the lunar surface between 1969 and 1972. Now, both the US and China are preparing to send […]