Ever wondered why a pineapple sitting on your counter turns yellow but doesn’t actually ripen? In the latest MinuteFood video, the host dives into this common misconception, explaining how a pineapple, unlike some fruits, just gets worse over time rather than better. The decline starts as soon as it’s picked, despite how it looks. Curious […]
Ever wonder why hand sanitizer only claims to kill 99.99% of germs? The truth is, that last 0.01% includes some tough microbes that are more resistant to alcohol. While sanitizer is great for most situations, the only way to completely handle those resilient germs is with proper handwashing. So, next time, remember: sanitizer is good, […]
Two foods may have the same number of calories, but other food factors and your microbes influence which calories your body uses more of. Martin Barraud/OJO Images via Getty Images Christopher Damman, University of Washington Is the adage “calories in, calories out” true? The short answer is yes, but the full story is more nuanced. […]
Objects that fly faster than the speed of sound (like really fast planes) create a shock wave accompanied by a thunder-like noise: the sonic boom. These epic sounds can cause distress to people and animals and even damage nearby buildings. Katerina Kaouri details how scientists use math to predict sonic booms’ paths in the atmosphere, […]
Ever wondered what would happen if you spent just a nanosecond on the surface of the Sun? Would you feel the heat, burn to a crisp, or simply be fine? xkcd’s What If? dives into this scorching hypothetical, breaking down exactly how terrifying that moment would be—especially if you ended up at the Sun’s core […]
Ever wondered why zebras sport those iconic black and white stripes? These striking patterns have intrigued scientists for decades! Zebras, part of the equine family like horses and donkeys, evolved into three distinct species in Africa. They live in social herds, graze on grasses, and dodge predators. The stripes, however, remain a scientific enigma. Some […]
Spacewalks are among the more dangerous activities associated with human spaceflight. Ignatiev/E+ via Getty Images Chris Impey, University of Arizona Space is an unnatural environment for humans. We can’t survive unprotected in a pure vacuum for more than two minutes. Getting to space involves being strapped to a barely contained chemical explosion. Since 1961, fewer […]
From SciShow: We’ve learned a lot about Megalodon by studying its terrifying teeth. But we’re just beginning to understand what made this ancient shark so huge.
Ze Frank is back, and this time he’s wriggling his way into the world of snakes in his latest “True Facts” video: How Snakes Move. If you’ve ever wondered how a creature with no legs manages to get anywhere, let alone do it with such swagger, Ze Frank has the answers—and, as always, they’re as […]
Light from stars travels through space, which is mostly an empty vacuum. William Attard McCarthy – McCarthy’s PhotoWorks/Moment via Getty Images Nilakshi Veerabathina, University of Texas at Arlington 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]. What is […]