Big Questions Answered, How and Why

A litmus test is an idiom for a challenge. But why?

When a politician, sports team, or anyone else faces a defining challenge, it's referred to as a “litmus test.” What's litmus, and why is it being tested?

Many pregnant people struggle with nausea and vomiting, especially during the first trimester.

Nausea and vomiting are the bane of many a pregnant person’s first trimester. And despite the name, the symptoms aren’t just limited to the morning.

A hiker crosses a ravine on a log through Olympic National Park’s rainforest.

Two factors explain why Seattle, Portland, and surrounding areas get all that precipitation.

No one wants to go through a nuclear war.

Cockroaches have a reputation for being indestructible. But they may not be as totally immune to radiation as people think.

A 15th-century queen might have something to do with it. Plus, why the heck vampires have them.

Houses can have a lot of architectural quirks.

These little spaces often spark curiosity and nostalgia, though few people know their history.

Though the gray band is safe to eat, it’s not particularly appetizing.

Counterintuitively, pouring water over yourself on a humid day might not cool you off.

While 100 percent humidity might seem to suggest there should be pure rain showers, there may not even be a hint of drizzle. So what does it mean to reach peak humidity?

The stringy white glob hanging off an egg yolk is a chalaza. Here’s what it does and when you should remove it.

Not everyone enjoys classical music blaring out of gas station loudspeakers. And that's the point.

Gas stations know what they’re doing when they play Bach at the pump.

Cracking your car’s rear window can be a highly unpleasant experience—and physics is to blame.

You deserve a bowl full of non-spoiled ice cream.

No one wants to discover a freezer full of spoiled ice cream. Here’s how to tell if the creamy treat is still good—and how to make sure it’s safe to eat for as long as possible.

Digital blood pressure monitors allow people to check their systolic and diastolic numbers at home.

You can’t actually feel your blood pressure, but it’s one of the body’s most important indicators of cardiovascular health. Here’s the lowdown on how blood pressure works—and what it means for your overall wellness.

Calling police officers “cops” dates to the 19th century.

Cutting down on syllables is just one reason ‘cop’ became synonymous with ‘police officer.’

Where this bizarre expression came from, how its meaning has evolved, and where you might have seen it used.

A fallout shelter sign left over from the Cold War still visible in Brooklyn, New York.

Tens of thousands of fallout shelter signs, with three yellow triangles in a black circle, are visible on building façades today. They serve as grim reminders of the hottest flashes of the Cold War. So why are they still around?