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

BIG QUESTIONS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
If you have the time, opting for a quick checkout might save you a bit of money and make someone else’s day a whole lot smoother.
What sets green and black olives apart? It’s more than just color.
One key ingredient separates a malt from a milkshake.
Our favorite type of door lock has a somewhat morbid name.
They haven’t been mandated by the EPA since 2012, but California has kept them around.
Baby viewing windows were once a staple of hospital maternity wards across the country, but now they feel like a relic from a bygone era. Read on to learn about their history—and the real reasons why they vanished.
Feeling anxious can be normal and sometimes even healthy. Missing out on life because of that anxiety is not.
Confused about pupae, chrysalises, and cocoons? Discover the key differences between these metamorphic terms.
Residents of Washington, D.C., have no governor, no voting representation in Congress, and only limited local authority. The reason is simple: D.C. isn’t a state. Let’s break down the history and future of D.C. statehood.