SCIENCE

A wooden tablet covered in still-undeciphered Rongorongo script.

8 Ancient Writing Systems That Haven't Been Deciphered Yet

Without a Rosetta Stone for these centuries-old writing systems, the meaning of the texts may never be known.

A 19th-century illustration of a human heart.

11 Fit Facts About the Heart

Technically, your heart isn’t made of gold. And don't wear it in on your sleeve—you’ll make a mess. Here are 11 scientific facts about your ticker.

Are You Smart Enough to Pass Thomas Edison’s Impossible Employment Test?

Thomas Edison’s 146-question employment test was so difficult that the inventor’s own son—as well as Albert Einstein—reportedly flunked it.

Fossilized human footprints in New Mexico’s White Sands National Park are between 21,000 and 23,000 years old and pre-date the Clovis people in North America.

8 Ancient Archaeological Sites That Pre-Date the Clovis People

Archaeologists used to think that the Clovis people were the first inhabitants of the Americas some 13,500 years ago. The evidence from these ancient sites says otherwise.

Mantis Shrimp Remain Unharmed While Dealing Deadly Punches, Study Shows

Mantis shrimp can deal incredible blows without damaging themselves, but how? The makeup of their armor is key.

Here's the scientifically backed way to make perfect hard-boiled eggs.

How to Cook a Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg, According to Science

With the price of a dozen going through the roof, you may want to take more care in preparing hard-boiled eggs. Science is on the case.

How Do Snowshoes Work?

Hiking over several feet of snow becomes possible with some clever physics and nature-inspired design.

7 Vital Facts About Blood

George Washington died after his physician treated his sore throat with bloodletting, but don't let that stop you from learning more about the human circulatory system.

Gibellula pulchra is in the same genus as Gibellula attenboroughii.

Scientists Identify Fungus Turning Spiders Into “Zombies” in Northern Ireland

Researchers discovered a parasitic fungus that controls spiders‘ behavior, akin to the zombie ant fungus.

You‘ll likely be seeing more of these little guys if you live in a crowded urban area.

Rats Are Thriving in Cities Thanks to Climate Change

Rising temperatures mean more opportunities for rats to forage—and breed.

Newly metamorphosed Darwin’s froglet at London Zoo.

London Zoo Welcomes 33 Endangered Froglets That Emerged From Their Fathers’ Mouths

The Southern Darwin’s frog is unique in the amphibian world, and conservationists are racing to save it from extinction.

Camera-Shy Mount Lyell Shrew Photographed for the First Time in California

The elusive mammal was finally ready for its close-up.

The Jet Stream (left, over northern Canada) and the Gulf Stream (right, near Florida) both have big effects on global climate.

Jet Stream vs. Gulf Stream: What’s the Difference?

Learn the key differences between the two before the next polar vortex.

A detail of a copy of Michelangelo’s ‘David’

12 Facts About the Penis

The male sexual organ is more complicated than it might seem.

Jurassic Park With SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE Raptors [Animation] Part 1

See What Jurassic Park’s Raptors Would Look Like With Feathers

Contrary to what that kid told Sam Neill in Jurassic Park, an overgrown turkey is still terrifying.

Study Reveals How Some Corals ‘Walk’ Across the Sea Floor

Witness a mushroom coral on the move.

Watch a Mushroom Play a Keyboard Through Electronic Sensors

Discover how Bionic and the Wires are turning fungi into electronic musicians.

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

13 Facts About 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.

Nobody likes to get zapped when they're bundled up.

How To Prevent Static Cling on Clothes

Discover what causes static electricity on clothes, along with how to keep it from becoming a recurring problem this season.

It's not just the product of some bizarre kitchen sorcery.

Why Does Plastic Never Fully Dry in the Dishwasher?

Why do plastic containers stay wet, even after they’ve gone through the dishwasher? Turns out, science is to blame.

Here‘s how to get the most out of your hand warmers during this frosty season.

How to Extend the Life of Your Hand Warmers

Tired of wasting hand warmers after a single use? Learn how to stretch them as long as possible.

Dogs make great truffle hunting helpers.

Dogs Sniff Out Two New Species of Truffles in the U.S.

The two new truffle species hadn’t been formally identified by scientists before the canines discovered them.

Certain smells become less pungent in cold air.

What’s Really Happening When You “Smell” Snow?

The sensation is real, but it doesn't have to do with odor.

A scene from the La Brea Tar Pits with models of Ice Age animals.

10 Fascinating Facts About the La Brea Tar Pits

There’s a gooey time capsule in the heart of Los Angeles, left over from an era when saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, camels, and giant sloths prowled southern California.