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Aging might seem scary, but you probably don’t have all of the facts.

The idea that older people need less sleep is just one common misconception.

Consumers are being warned their frozen shrimp may have something in common with the Chernobyl disaster: a radioisotope.

Overhead view of Pit 157 from Bergheim Saulager, showing a late Middle Neolithic violence-related bone collection analyzed in the study.

According to a new archaeological study of human bones showing evidence of violent “overkill,” war was hell even in the late Stone Age.

Looking for the perfect picnic spot? Reviewers say these state parks are top-tier.

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

A hiker crosses a ravine on a log through Olympic National Park’s rainforest.

Two factors explain why Seattle, Portland, and surrounding areas get all that precipitation.

From a Yosemite icon to a Grand Canyon hidden gem, there are epic waterfall hikes to be found across the country.

When it comes to adult literacy, not all states are equal.

A major survey is spelling out trouble for the country's literacy rates.

See the U.S. metro areas where inflation is making life expensive, based on fresh Consumer Price Index data.

Google‘s newest feature lets you choose how you want to navigate the internet.

Follow these steps to add your favorite sites (like Mental Floss) to your Preferred Sources list.

No one wants to go through a nuclear war.

Cockroaches have a reputation for being indestructible. But they may not be as totally immune to radiation as people think.

We've got the stories behind all these photos.

Find out what brought these historical figures to the beach—and what they wore while there.

See if you can decipher this twisted tune.

It’s time to play Tune Twist, where we translate the lyrics of popular songs into multiple languages and then back into English. Can you figure out what the song is, or who performed it?

Best to avoid using the air fryer to cook bacon or kale.

Air fryers are a game-changer for many home cooks. But unfortunately, there are still several types of food they can’t quite handle.

Charles Davenport’s Eugenics Record Office collected data on thousands of Americans, hoping to support a pseudoscientific theory that would create a more perfect human race. It led to unspeakable tragedy.

Americans have a strong preference for what they want to eat before they shuffle off this mortal coil.

If you’ve ever Googled any of these words to figure out the difference between them, you are far from alone.

Some pretty strange laws are still on the books.

It doesn't matter if they're outdated or unreasonable: Some laws refuse to go away. Guess which wacky rules are still on the books.

Skunks get a bad rap, but there’s amazing chemistry and behavior behind these adorable animals.

Egress windows are built for one very specific purpose: keeping you alive.

Brushing up on some boring window terminology could mean the difference between life and death. (Seriously.)

‘Star Trek’ wasn't host to TV’s first interracial kiss, but it’s the one people tend to remember.

William Shatner’s lip lock with Nichelle Nichols wasn't TV’s first interracial kiss, but it might have been the most controversial.

Hint: No presidents were born in the White House.

It’s easy to name the state most associated with a president, but can you name his actual birthplace?

Wearing your favorite old pair of camouflage shorts on a Caribbean cruise could put a real damper on your vacation.

A 15th-century queen might have something to do with it. Plus, why the heck vampires have them.

3 Common Misconceptions About Aging, Debunked

Recall Alert: Your Walmart Frozen Shrimp May Be Radioactive

Smashed Skulls and Severed Limbs Suggest Stone Age Armies Brutalized Their Victims

The Best State Parks for Picnics, According to Visitors

Definition Detective Quiz #51: Guess the Meanings of These Obscure Words

Why Is the Pacific Northwest So Rainy?

11 of the Best Waterfall Trails in the U.S.

Mapped: The States With the Highest and Lowest Adult Literacy Rates

23 Cities Hit Hard By Inflation in 2025

How to Take Control of Your News Feed With Google’s Preferred Sources Feature

Could Cockroaches Really Survive a Nuclear War?

20 Fascinating Photos of Historical Figures at the Beach

Can You Decipher These Translated Song Lyrics? Tune Twist Quiz #54

10 Things You Should Never Put in an Air Fryer

Cold Spring Harbor: The Long Island Lab that Brought Eugenics to America

Map of America’s Top Last Meal Requests by State

The 20 Most Commonly Confused Word Pairs in America, According to Google Data

Quiz: Can You Identify Which Weird Law Is Totally Real?

10 Things You May Not Know About Skunks

What’s an ‘Egress’ Window—And Why Is It Important?

The ‘Star Trek’ Interracial Kiss That Made TV Executives Panic

Quiz: Match the President to His Hometown in This Fiendishly Tricky Game

The Surprising Reason Why You Shouldn’t Wear Camo on a Cruise Ship

Why Is a V-Shaped Hairline Called a “Widow’s Peak”?