Kate Horowitz

Joined: Jan 16, 2014

Kate Horowitz is a science writer. She writes about pretty much everything, but especially likes to bring readers' attention to squishy, underrated organisms; chronic illness and disability; bodily functions; animal cognition; parasites; and the Moon. She lives in Washington, D.C., where she takes lots of walks and ogles other people's dogs.

What Are Those Tiny Spots on Apples?

Science Confirms That Summer Heat Makes Us Grumpy

Are Left-Handed People Really More Creative?

Nellie Bly, pioneer of investigative journalism,

Remembering Nellie Bly, Rabblerouser and Pioneer of Investigative Journalism

Not quite a Brundlefly, but still too close for comfort.

What Happens When a Fly Lands on Your Food?

Learn more about how common house flies eat (and poop), plus what’s really going on when one of them ends up in your dinner.

Why Do Bridesmaids Traditionally Wear the Same Dress?

Bridesmaid traditions can get pretty bizarre, but the real reason behind why they usually wear the same dress is perhaps the most fascinating of all.

Why Is It So Hard to Sleep in a New Place?

Whether you’re at a hotel on a business trip or crashing at a relative’s house for the holidays, getting quality sleep on the first few nights can be a challenge. Here’s why.

If you’re eating a healthy and balanced diet, you may not need extra vitamins.

Is It Possible to Overdose on Vitamins?

Too much of anything, even a helpful or healthy thing, can hurt you. Medication? Definitely. Water? Absolutely. Exercise? You bet. Vitamins? Quite possibly.

Why Are Birds Attacking My Windows?

Nothing says “springtime” like the maddening, irregular percussion of a bird’s beak rapping repeatedly against your window.

A stained-glass window at the Coats Observatory near Glasgow, Scotland, depicts William Herschel.

How an Amateur Astronomer Discovered Uranus

In 1781, William Herschel looked through his telescope and saw Uranus.

7 Tough Facts About Tardigrades

The microscopic “moss piglets” may be the hardiest creatures on Earth—and anywhere else.

The key to a brighter smile? Hydrogen peroxide.

How Do Teeth Whiteners Work?

The main ingredient for a whiter smile? Hydrogen peroxide.

Ireland: Come for the Guinness, stay for the lack of snakes.

Why Are There No Snakes in Ireland?

Legend tells of St. Patrick using the power of his faith to drive all of Ireland’s snakes into the sea. It’s an impressive image, but there’s no way it could have happened.

It wasn't always associated with the holidays.

Why Is Holly a Symbol of Christmas?

The hardy plant’s ability to stay vibrant through the winter made it a natural choice for pre-Christian winter festivals, but why is holly now associated with Christmas?

The Yule Lads didn't always look like Santa.

Iceland’s Yule Lads Bring Gifts, Steal Meat

Thirteen bearded wild men descend upon Icelandic homes to reward children who behave and punish those who don’t.

Prunes are a constipated person’s friend.

Why Do Prunes Make You Poop?

Prunes—the shiny, sweet dried fruits—are both exploited and ridiculed for their laxative properties. But do they really make you poop?