Features on ZME Science

What makes things funny? The science of humor explained

Why is that YouTube video so hilarious? Let's home in on funny.

Where is the center of the universe (or is there even one)?

The universe does not have a center point. How is this possible?

Bad Physics in Movies: When Hollywood gets science wrong

It's a bird. It's a plane. No... it's Hollywood's bad physics.

Feral Children: Mind-Blowing Cases of Children Raised by Animals

Feral children have been isolated from human contact from a very young age and grew up wild, sometimes raised by animals.

The Ames Room: The optical illusion that will make you doubt your eyes

The Ames Room illusion challenges our understanding of perception and shows how easily our brains can be tricked by visual cues.

What causes dark circles under the eyes? A sciency look behind them

Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors.

What makes things cute?

It's obviously kittens. Just stick kittens on everything.

Celebrities that have secretly published scientific research

It's probably not who you think it is.

The fastest growing plant in the world

It's easy to overlook duckweed, but this unassuming plant can grow incredibly fast.

How on Earth did we start using "once in a blue moon"?

The moon does turn "blue" sometimes, but this idiom doesn't really refer to its color.

The main types of caves, according to science

These are the most important cave types that you need to know.

A Big Blue Marble. A History of Earth from Space

Over 70 years as humanity has begun to explore space, we have upon occasion, turned our gaze back to our own world, producing images that highlight our place in the vastness of space.

The meat industry is freaking out over plant-based meat. They should

When the meat industry suffers, the environment wins -- and so does our health.

Are dogs color blind? Not exactly

Dog color vision is rather dull but certainly not all black and white. That's an urban myth.

What is the closest black hole to Earth?

The nearest black hole isn't actually that far from us.

Could we really have a zombie apocalypse like in The Last of Us?

Are we prepared enough to survive a deadly fungal outbreak similar to what is shown in the TV show The Last of Us?

How much water do you save by not eating meat?

You'll be shocked to see how much water meat production requires.

What is oxidation? A journey through the world of redox reactions

Oxidation is Loss, Reduction is Gain (of electrons).

What causes hangovers? The science behind the dreadful morning after

There is no science-based cure for hangovers, but there are some helpful pointers.

Why clouds don't fall: the physics behind the sky's fluffy wonders

They never fall but they pour.

Five ways to cure hangovers that anybody can apply

They all boil down to "treat yo' body right".

Why is insulin so outrageously expensive in the United States?

There is little genuine competition and manufacturers are free to set high prices with impunity. But there is also more to this story.

What are isotopes: everything you need to know

Calling them 'fatter atoms' is considered rude.

Meet the people who literally feel no fear

Fear is hundreds of millions of years old. But some people have the superhuman ability to laugh in its face.

The different types of clouds: what they mean for weather

Clouds come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Each type can mean different weather conditions.

What happens in the brain when you mix marijuana and alcohol

Mixing alcohol and marijuana, known as crossfading, can amplify the highs but also the lows.

Why some people have ingrown toenails, explained by science

Ingrown toenails are a common but painful problem.

Leonardo da Vinci inventions and studies that changed the world

Some of these are centuries before their time.

The Vampire Bats: Yes, They Do Exist, But They're Not What You Think

The truth is often more interesting than the myth.

The reason why ice floats

A.k.a why our lakes are not completely frozen over and why your ice floats in your cocktail.

Why the Earth's iron core is solid -- even though it's hotter than the sun's surface

A lifelong debate surrounding the inner core's phased was finally settled by Swedish researchers.

Why the most expensive coffee in the world is ingested and then defecated

There are many types of coffee in the world, each with its own particular taste and aroma. The quality and the price of coffee can vary greatly, and sometimes, it can go way overboard. For instance, the most expensive types of coffee are the ones that have been ingested and defecated. What makes this process […]