News

‘Kryptos’ has intrigued amateur and professional cryptographers alike.

The CIA's encrypted art sculpture has puzzled cryptographers for decades. The man with the answers is finally ready to clue them in.

Birds like this western meadowlark are singing earlier in the morning and later at night thanks to light pollution.

Early birds are starting to sing even earlier because of artificial light pollution—but it’s not clear if they’re actually losing sleep.

Whales and dolphins aren’t just neighbors. They’re also occasional playmates, according to new findings from Griffith University researchers.

Find out what names Americans were giving their babies in the year 2000, and how they compare to today's most popular names.

This riddle dates back to the 19th century—can you figure out the answer?

Pripyat, part of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

These Atomic Age sites—some of which are still dangerously radioactive—are a somber reminder of the dark shadow the threat of nuclear war cast on the world.

This may not give you the best reading of your body composition.

Body comp scales claim to measure how much fat and muscle you have, but they may not give an accurate picture of health. Here’s why.

The public once made the rock anthem a chart-topping hit. Then we all seemed to change our mind.

Aging might seem scary, but you probably don’t have all of the facts.

The idea that older people need less sleep is just one common misconception.

Consumers are being warned their frozen shrimp may have something in common with the Chernobyl disaster: a radioisotope.

Overhead view of Pit 157 from Bergheim Saulager, showing a late Middle Neolithic violence-related bone collection analyzed in the study.

According to a new archaeological study of human bones showing evidence of violent “overkill,” war was hell even in the late Stone Age.

Looking for the perfect picnic spot? Reviewers say these state parks are top-tier.

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

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.

From a Yosemite icon to a Grand Canyon hidden gem, there are epic waterfall hikes to be found across the country.

When it comes to adult literacy, not all states are equal.

A major survey is spelling out trouble for the country's literacy rates.

See the U.S. metro areas where inflation is making life expensive, based on fresh Consumer Price Index data.

Google‘s newest feature lets you choose how you want to navigate the internet.

Follow these steps to add your favorite sites (like Mental Floss) to your Preferred Sources list.

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.

We've got the stories behind all these photos.

Find out what brought these historical figures to the beach—and what they wore while there.

See if you can decipher this twisted tune.

It’s time to play Tune Twist, where we translate the lyrics of popular songs into multiple languages and then back into English. Can you figure out what the song is, or who performed it?

Best to avoid using the air fryer to cook bacon or kale.

Air fryers are a game-changer for many home cooks. But unfortunately, there are still several types of food they can’t quite handle.

Charles Davenport’s Eugenics Record Office collected data on thousands of Americans, hoping to support a pseudoscientific theory that would create a more perfect human race. It led to unspeakable tragedy.

Americans have a strong preference for what they want to eat before they shuffle off this mortal coil.

The Artist Behind the CIA’s Famous “Kryptos” Puzzle Is Ready to Reveal the Solution—But There’s a Catch

Light Pollution Tricks Birds Into Singing Earlier in the Morning and Later at Night

Study Reveals Surprising Dynamic Between Whales and Dolphins

Mapped: Each State’s Most Popular Baby Names From 25 Years Ago

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #52

12 of the Creepiest Nuclear Sites on Earth

Why Body Composition Scales Aren’t the Best Way to Measure Fitness

How “We Built This City” Went From No. 1 Hit to “Worst Song Ever”

3 Common Misconceptions About Aging, Debunked

Recall Alert: Your Walmart Frozen Shrimp May Be Radioactive

Smashed Skulls and Severed Limbs Suggest Stone Age Armies Brutalized Their Victims

The Best State Parks for Picnics, According to Visitors

Definition Detective Quiz #51: Guess the Meanings of These Obscure Words

Why Is the Pacific Northwest So Rainy?

11 of the Best Waterfall Trails in the U.S.

Mapped: The States With the Highest and Lowest Adult Literacy Rates

23 Cities Hit Hard By Inflation in 2025

How to Take Control of Your News Feed With Google’s Preferred Sources Feature

Could Cockroaches Really Survive a Nuclear War?

20 Fascinating Photos of Historical Figures at the Beach

Can You Decipher These Translated Song Lyrics? Tune Twist Quiz #54

10 Things You Should Never Put in an Air Fryer

Cold Spring Harbor: The Long Island Lab that Brought Eugenics to America

Map of America’s Top Last Meal Requests by State