MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Breaking bad habits requires a little more than just willpower.

The Best Way to Break a Bad Habit, According to the Experts

Stopping something as inconsequential as biting your nails or as serious as drinking too much requires perseverance and planning.

Astronaut Kate Rubins casts her ballot from space.

How Do Astronauts Vote From Space?

Kate Rubins cast her ballot from the International Space Station with the help of a county clerk and a nifty technology known as the PDF.

Judge Thomas Patrick Thornton (left) is sworn in as a federal judge by Judge Arthur F. Lederle (right) on February 15, 1949.

The Reason Supreme Court Justices Wear Black Robes

The tradition of judges wearing black robes goes back centuries, but the meaning behind it is as timely as ever.

The Reason Stone Crabs Are So Expensive

The reason stone crabs are so expensive is also what makes them one of the most sustainable seafoods on Earth.

Wildfires have reached historic proportions this year.

What Exactly Is a Gigafire?

The August Complex fire ravaging California is being called a "gigafire," and it's every bit as imposing and destructive as the name implies.

Canceling your gym membership can be a hassle.

How to Cancel Your Gym Membership Without Breaking a Sweat

Gym contracts can be difficult to walk away from. If you're looking to switch facilities or just don't feel comfortable going in light of the pandemic, these tips may help.

There's a good chance his parents have dimples, too.

Why Do Some People Have Dimples?

Genetics probably play a part in dimple formation, and so does a muscle called the “zygomaticus major.”

We have a difficult time catching our own typing mistakes.

The Reason It's So Hard to Spot Your Own Typos

Errors in writing aren't easy to detect when you're proofreading your own work. The problem is your brain.

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

MD vs. DO: What Is the Difference?

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?

Why Are Humans Afraid of Bugs?

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

Talking about being fired can make people apprehensive.

Got a Job Interview and Need to Explain Why You Were Fired? Here's How

Talking about being fired can be uncomfortable, but there's a simple way to discuss it without being defensive.

Hands are built-in tools for detecting bad breath.

Why Can’t You Smell Your Own Breath? There Are a Few Theories

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.

Absentee Ballot vs. Mail-In Ballot: What’s the Difference?

States are changing their vote-by-mail rules for this year’s general election. Here's what you need to know.

What the Color Codes on Toothpaste Tubes Really Mean

The small, colored rectangles above the seams of toothpaste tubes have nothing to do with its ingredients.

Dogs appear to be running in their sleep. Why?

The Reason Dogs Run In Their Sleep

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

Voting by mail isn't the type of task you can procrastinate.

How—and When—to Vote by Mail in Each State

Many states are letting residents vote by mail in this November’s presidential election—here’s how to do it.

What Makes Bread Dough Rise?

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.

What Is Herd Immunity?

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.

How Does the Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Process Work?

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

Our brains may be wired to recognize that shapes can indicate danger.

The Reason Why Road Signs Have Different Shapes

Traffic signs come in a variety of shapes. The Department of Transportation thinks your brain will recognize that some of them mean more danger than others.

Airplane fuel sometimes needs to be jettisoned.

The Reason Why Fuel Dumped From an Airplane Doesn't Reach the Ground

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

Dogs use physical contact for a lot of the same reasons humans do.

The Reason Dogs Put Their Paws on You

Dogs like to rest a paw on their owners for a number of reasons, but establishing dominance isn't one of them.

Skillet vs. Sauté Pan: What’s the Difference?

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?"

Why Is It Considered Rude to Eat With Your Elbows on the Table?

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

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