Mental Floss

LISTS

Red hair and freckles are two traits partially determined by genes.

Humans are now known to have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes, but researchers still have much to learn about these small segments of DNA.

Emily Petsko


A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!

Often called one of the seven modern wonders of the world, the Panama Canal splits the continents of North and South America and launched a new era in global commerce when it opened in 1914.

Benjamin Lampkin




These important heritage sites are at risk.

From lighthouses to terracotta sculptures to out-of-this-world spots, these important heritage sites are at risk due to things like degradation and climate change.

Paul Anthony Jones




Give ’em a spin.

Some true classics are turning the big 5-0 this year, from Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’ to Rush’s ‘Fly by Night.’

Kenneth Partridge




A puzzle purse from 1826.

From writing a salty letter of insults to rid yourself of unwanted attention to using a key to ward off epilepsy, here are 11 of the oddest old-timey Valentine’s Day traditions from years past.

Lucie Grace




Uh oh.

The super-contagious gastrointestinal virus is causing outbreaks across the U.S. Here's how to protect yourself (and everyone around you) from norovirus.

Jennifer Billock




The world of medicine is even stranger than you can imagine.

From Alice in Wonderland Syndrome to the real-life version of Benjamin Button’s disease, these rare conditions could come straight out of a storybook.

Bethel Afful


David Lynch

The iconoclastic director behind ‘Mulholland Drive,’ ‘Twin Peaks,’ and more cult classics—who passed away on January 16, 2025 at the age of 78—once drew a comic strip about a furious dog and disliked large furniture.

Scott Beggs
Your lungs expel carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor every time you exhale.

Taking in oxygen to power your whole body is just one part of your lung function. Altogether, your lungs are a highly efficient machine—and they do a lot more than you might think.

Jordan Rosenfeld