Tetanus: Why is it so dangerous to step on a rusty nail?

Ever wondered why stepping on a rusty nail is so dangerous? In TED-Ed’s latest video, they explore the story of a 5th-century ship master who suffered from a bizarre and terrifying infection that caused his jaws to clamp shut and his muscles to spasm uncontrollably. Today, we know this as one of the earliest recorded […]



Understanding Alzheimer’s: The Ongoing Battle Against a Devastating Brain Disorder

Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating brain disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. It gradually destroys memory and other cognitive abilities, profoundly impacting daily life. Despite decades of research and hundreds of clinical trials, an effective preventive treatment or cure remains elusive. Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects the brain’s neurons, leading to their progressive degeneration and death. […]



Multiple goals, multiple solutions, plenty of second-guessing and revising − here’s how science really works

If your mental image of a scientist looks like this, you’re due for an update. aluxum/E+ via Getty Images Soazig Le Bihan, University of Montana A man in a lab coat bends under a dim light, his strained eyes riveted onto a microscope. He’s powered only by caffeine and anticipation. This solitary scientist will stay […]

A new ‘guest star’ will appear in the sky in 2024 − a space scientist explains how nova events work and where to look

Vahe Peroomian, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences The stars aren’t fixed and unchanging, unlike what many ancient people thought. Once in a while, a star appears where there wasn’t one before, and then it fades away in a matter of days or weeks. The earliest record of such a “guest star,” named […]

Why Hitting Your Funny Bone Feels So Horrible: An Exploration of Elbow Anatomy

Ever wondered why hitting your funny bone feels so horrible? We’ve all experienced it: that sharp, disquieting sensation shooting down your arm after bumping your elbow. But why does it happen? This TED-Ed video dives into the complex anatomy of the elbow to explain why hitting your funny bone causes such an odd and painful […]

Cheesemaking is a complex science – a food chemist explains the process from milk to mozzarella

Storing cheese wheels to let them age intensifies the flavor. AP Photo/Antonio Calanni John A. Lucey, University of Wisconsin-Madison Cheese is a relatively simple food. It’s made with milk, enzymes – these are proteins that can chop up other proteins – bacterial cultures and salt. Lots of complex chemistry goes into the cheesemaking process, which […]