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The fastest man-made object is a manhole cover that was blasted into space by an underground nuclear test

It was “going like a bat!”

Why we use the QWERTY keyboard layout -- and why it's probably not the best design

Why QWERTY? Why not ABCD or ZXYW or anything else? The answer is pretty silly.

Who is the best chess player in history? It depends how you look at it

There's no clear answer -- but there are a few suspects.

Why you look ugly in photos - and some ways to solve it

You probably aren't really ugly. Instead, camera distortion and perspective are to blame for your unflattering portrait.

The pagan origin and history of the Christmas tree

The history of a powerful Christmas symbol.

Science Santa History: The Origins of Santa Claus

Ah, Christmas is just around the corner. There’s so much going on with gifts and celebrations and meeting up with loved ones that it’s hard to keep up. Then, of course, there’s Santa Claus. The embodiment of the Christmas spirit, Santa Claus, has undergone quite the metamorphosis over the years, and much of it is […]

Will going outside with your hair wet actually make you sick? A common myth debunked

Going outside with wet hair won't turn you into a viral magnet, but that doesn't mean you should do it anyway.

Vinylon -- how a material made from coal, alcohol, and limestone became the clothing default in North Korea

The unlikely story of how an unusual material became entwined with a country's identity.

14 Japanese concepts that will help you see life in a different light

Something to make you look at things with a different lens.

Did Vikings ever wear horned helmets? Not really, but here's why people think they did

How a famous opera proliferated one of the most enduring myths in popular culture.

Inside Kuru: the strange brain-eating disease caused by human cannibalism

How a strange illness connected to consuming human flesh led to two Nobel Prizes.

A global recession looms: here's how an economic crash could affect your health

No one wants to live through a recession, but they're inevitable at some point -- and sometimes, they can have some unexpected benefits.

Most fans don't know it but Doctor Who's sonic screwdriver exists for real. Well, sort of

After all, “whole worlds pivot on acts of imagination.”

The scent of infection: Why agarwood is the most expensive wood in the world

Agarwood, one of the most sought-after incense scents in the world, is the result of a mold infection.

Omens of death: what is the Black Shuck?

Black Dogs, such as the Shuck, have been an important motif of English folklore for centuries.

The deep, long-lasting, and sometimes bizarre symbolism of the Eye of Horus

To this day, it's one of the most important symbols from the ancient world.

Brutalist architecture and its unusual, raw appeal

Few architectural styles are as polarizing and controversial as brutalism.

How modern architecture transformed our landscape, according to experts

Thanks to modernism, we got to see high rise buildings, large glass windows, and steel bridges.

What is microblading, and is it actually safe?

Semi-permanent cosmetic treatments like microblading are becoming more and more popular. But science is struggling to catch up.

What is Daylight Savings Time, how it came to be, and why we should probably get rid of it

Daylight Savings Time is actually a pretty big deal -- but is it a good thing?

Is Murphy's Law actually true?

If it can go wrong, it will. Can you prove Murphy wrong?

What is cyberpunk -- and are we already living in it?

We may be facing a dark dystopian future just like the one discussed in some cyberpunk. What can we learn from this?

Your nail polish might be toxic. Here's how you can tell

As we’ve learned more and more in recent years, it’s very difficult to find good cosmetic products that are also good for your health. Words like “organic” and “natural” are thrown around a lot, but they’re not well-regulated and are often misleading. In fact, many “natural” products contain toxic substances. So if you want to […]

How AI is impacting the video game industry

AI promises to bring more interactivity and more enjoyable experiences to video games.

Are electric toothbrushes better? Here's what the science says

Not too long ago, toothbrushes were a pretty simple thing. But with a bit of science and some marketing, things have changed quite a bit.

SciFi futuristic weapons that already exist now

Traditional weapons may soon get replaced by a futuristic laser-based arsenal.

What's in a futuristic house? 3D printing, automation, among many others

Among others, future houses could enable us to live on the sea and save us from the dangers of climate change.

You really shouldn't get an eye tattoo. Here's why

It's extremely dangerous, often leads to complications, and it's not even a true tattoo.

Retro-futurism and why it matters: a foray into alternative futures seen from the past

Wait, are we already living in a retro-futuristic world?

6 of the most bizarre cults you haven't heard about

Not the kill you or doomsday kind of cults, but weird nonetheless.

That time I shipped myself as a package -- or why you shouldn't travel in a box

Believe it or not, quite a few people have shipped themselves through the mail.

From animal intestines to fighting HIV: the important history of the humble condom

The condom is more important and storied than most of us realize.

These are the cheapest electric vehicles in the US today

They are incredible efficient and their costs are constantly going down

How a deaf Beethoven discovered bone conduction by attaching a rod to his piano and clenching it in his teeth

Beethoven wrote dozens of symphonies and songs while deaf. But he had some help from a nifty trick.

Why do paper cuts hurt so damn much?

They are really the worst

Do women really like beards? Here's what the science says

Should you grow that beard or keep it shaved?

What's the difference between hard and soft water

Hard water can ruin your washing machine, but also your hair and skin. On the flipside, it's great for drinking!

What is the Loch Ness monster: myth or kernel of truth?

The fabled Loch Ness Monster has always enchanted people's imagination.

Inside the quietest room in the world where you can hear your heartbeat and blood flow

It's a surreal experience but few can bear it for more than a few minutes.

The Hidden World of Mathematics in The Simpsons

From pi to Mersenne primes, from Euler's equation to the unsolved riddle of P vs NP, The Simpsons is filled with hidden math gags.

The Secret Science of Santa

ZME Science delves into a timely Yuletide investigation of the science that enables Santa to deliver Christmas to millions of children across the globe. If you thought it was magic, think again.

Yuletide is almost upon us! But what's 'Yule' anyway?

This will completely change your idea of Christmas.

These intimate portraits of birds will make you want to save them

World-renowned animal photographer Tim Flach says he wants to help people connect with nature.

The spicy history of how pumpkin spice got so popular

Your favorite autumn latte has quite the troubled history -- and no pumpkin.

Historic foods: The story of polenta and its journey from poor man's food to classy delicacy

A staple in some parts of the world, completely unknown in others -- polenta is truly a historic food.

The frothy history of beer

Bottoms up!

The futuristic city -- what tomorrow's urban areas may have in store for us

We have all we need to start truly futuristic cities. But they might not look as we picture them.

A Journey through Multiverses, Hidden Dimensions, and Many Worlds

The alternate world, universe, or dimension is a long-standing element of pop-culture. But these concepts, often conflated, have their roots in physics. But which of them are most likely to play host to that most thrilling of tropes — the evil doppelganger?

What is Medicare and what does it cover?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that pays for a variety of health care expenses. Here's a rundown of the most important things you need to know about Medicare.

A short wrap-up of the history of falafel

Falafel? I'll take two, please.
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