SCIENCE

Wind Resistance: Do Charcoal Fart Pads Actually Work?

There are charcoal pads that purport to reduce the odor of a ripping toot, but does the flatulent science support it?

Why Does Grass Make Us Itch?

The inviting green stuff is supposed to bring us closer to nature. Instead, grass creates a stinging, itchy sensation. What gives?

Scientists Are Unlocking the Mysteries of an Echidna’s Fancy, Four-Headed Penis

An echidna’s penis doesn’t have to excrete any urine, which may help explain why it’s fancier than a human’s.

An illustration of what Australotitan cooperensis may have looked like.

Meet 'Cooper,' a Recently Discovered Sauropod Believed to Be Australia’s Largest Dinosaur Species

Sauropod dinosaurs are known for their impressive size—and Australia’s newly discovered species doesn’t disappoint.

Flipping the pages of a book may trigger ASMR in some people.

22 Fascinating Facts About ASMR

Here's what you need to know about the brain-tingling phenomenon ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.

This man has never gotten a vaccine for the common cold. He's being a bit dramatic about it.

Why Isn't There a Vaccine for the Common Cold?

Science has done some incredible things, but finding a cure for the leaky sniffles has proven elusive.

The chocolate frog on a very green leaf.

Scientists Have Identified a New ‘Chocolate Frog’ Species

We simply have to assume that at least one researcher made some reference to Harry Potter’s chocolate frogs when they found it.

Astronaut Scott Kelly gets a delivery of fresh fruit while on board the International Space Station in 2015.

Gastronauts: A History of Eating in Space

Without microwaves, ovens, or refrigerators, food in space can be challenging both to prepare and to consume. Especially cheesecake.

A female ruby-throated hummingbird headed for her next meal.

Watch Mélanie Barboni, the Geologist Known as ‘The Hummingbird Whisperer,’ in Action

One hummingbird feeder and a single thirsty visitor soon grew to four feeders and more than 200 hummingbird guests.

You’re Grinding Your Coffee Too Finely—Science Says So

If you grind your coffee beans too finely, you may not be getting the most out of the product, according to one study.

Why Does the Sun Make Hair Lighter?

If you get natural blond highlights in the summer, your hair may be damaged by too much exposure to the sun.

What Would Actually Happen If You Drank Saltwater?

You might think drinking seawater would be better than drinking no water at all. Your kidneys would beg to differ.

In the Crosshairs: Why the Forensic Science of Hair Analysis Isn't Foolproof

For more than two centuries, police have investigated crimes using microscopic hair analysis. But this forensic method isn’t foolproof—and in some cases, it’s led to tragedy.

9 Fascinating Facts About Urine

You might think that urine is just bodily waste—but you would be wrong. It's been used in cleansers, medicine, and infertility treatments for centuries.

Science Shows Cats Love Even Imaginary Boxes

Breaking new cat research proves that a cat will settle in on a square drawn on the floor. Why? Because it's a cat.

American doctor and epidemiologist Jonas Salk, who developed the first vaccine against poliomyelitis, looks on as a colleague gives the injection to a woman.

11 Vaccine Pioneers You Should Know

From eradicating smallpox to battling the COVID-19 pandemic, these vaccine pioneers have helped make colossal strides in public health.

A fox near the Chernobyl power plant in 2017.

Chernobyl May Not Be Habitable for Humans for Another 24,000 Years, But Wildlife Is Thriving

Rare animal species in Chernobyl, from lynxes to wild horses, seem to be weathering all that radiation relatively well.

The abandoned Dyatlov party tent as it was found by searchers.

How Disney's Frozen Led to a Breakthrough in Russia's Dyatlov Pass Mystery

Sixty-two years ago, nine hikers died in what's now Dyatlov Pass in Russia after fleeing their tent for unknown reasons. Using models inspired by Disney's 'Frozen,' scientists have come up with an explanation for the incident.

Louder Than Traffic: Listen to the Deafening Sounds of a Cicada Chorus

When the Brood X cicadas emerge in late spring 2021, their mating calls will rival the volume of lawn mowers, car stereos, and low-flying planes.

The night sky is full of colors—except green.

Why Are There No Green Stars?

You can look up and find white, red, blue, and yellow stars, but green stars are missing from the night sky.

John Gregory's actual skull alongside a 3D rendering of his head.

A Skull From the 1845 Franklin Expedition Was Just Identified Using a Descendant’s DNA

Nobody made it out of Sir John Franklin’s 1845 expedition alive. But now we know just how far one sailor got.

8 Misconceptions About Dreams

Can cheese really give you nightmares? And why do you keep dreaming that you're back in high school? We get to the bottom of eight misconceptions about dreams.

Rhinos need to be relocated in order to survive.

Transporting Rhinos Upside-Down Is 'Vital' to Their Conservation

Seeing a rhino hanging upside-down from a helicopter might make you uncomfortable, but it's indisputably a good thing for the rhino.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is looking for its next snack.

What Would Happen to The Very Hungry Caterpillar If It Really Ate All That Stuff?

There are few children’s books more beloved than Eric Carle’s 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar,' even if it's real-life ending would be much more gruesome.

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