Big Questions Answered, How and Why

MDs and DOs are both reputable health care providers. The difference is one of philosophy.

Some people are confused by the DO designation for health care providers, but it's not really so unusual.

Who wouldn't be screaming in this situation?

Our ancestors may have predisposed us to fear spiders, insects, and other many-legged creatures, but there's a lot more to it.

The pumpkins sold around Halloween for carving and decoration aren't the same pumpkins used in pies.

Hands are built-in tools for detecting bad breath.

In order to cure halitosis, you have to realize you have bad breath in the first place. Here’s why that’s hard to do.

Air quality in airplane cabins has become a growing concern during the coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus has brought new attention to air quality on airplanes. And while it's better than you think, there are still risks to consider.

What does it mean when a politician approves of a message in a campaign commercial?

Anyone running for federal office is required to endorse their own television ads. While it's supposed to make their political statements more honest, it might be having the opposite effect.

Dogs appear to be running in their sleep. Why?

Dogs tend to get a little exercise in even when they're resting. Is it really because they're dreaming about running?

When your bread dough doubles in size overnight, you have a hard-working team of microorganisms to thank.

It's not exactly the "safety in numbers" situation you might be imagining.

The facts on where it comes from, how it works, and whether it could happen with the novel coronavirus.

Alfred Nobel on the front of the Nobel Peace Prize medal.

Only certain people can submit nominations, and the Nobel Committee isn’t allowed to reveal nominees or nominators until 50 years later.

Airplane fuel sometimes needs to be jettisoned.

Planes sometimes need to dump fuel to keep their weight down for a safe emergency landing. Here's why it doesn't hit anything.

Ironically, a skillet is better for sautéing than a sauté pan is. (But sauté pans have their own skill set.)

"What did I tell you about the elbows, Susie?"

Even Emily Post, the queen of table manners, sometimes graced the tabletop with her elbows. What gives?

Your sheets need to be washed on a regular basis.

Bedsheets may look clean, but they harbor a variety of nasty things—from dust mites to, yes, even poop.

These seemingly random digits can tell you a lot.

Barcode scanners don’t need to register the number below the barcode, but it can tell you a lot about a product.

Fabric softener acts as a lubricant for your laundry.

Fabric softener is supposed to reduce friction and wrinkles and prolong the life of your clothing. But there are some downsides to using it.

Pharmacists are happy to help. But only after you've walked through the entire store.

There's an excellent reason why pharmacy locations like CVS and Walgreens make you walk all the way through the store before picking up your antibiotics.

Your cat's habit of sleeping all day isn't a sign of laziness—it's a survival instinct that's baked into their genes.

A baby's laugh can offer a lot of insight into their development.

Tiny people giggle at everything from tickling to peek-a-boo to silly faces. But do they really have a sense of humor?

The name "Jim Crow" appears throughout many U.S. history books, but he was a caricature—not a real person.

Four actual brothers formed the Brooks Brothers clothing brand after their father had started the menswear business in 1818. It survived scandal and changing styles—but the current economic downturn may be a different story.