MF Explains It All

Hands are built-in tools for detecting bad breath.

In order to cure halitosis, you have to realize you have bad breath in the first place. Here’s why that’s hard to do.

States are changing their vote-by-mail rules for this year’s general election. Here's what you need to know.

The small, colored rectangles above the seams of toothpaste tubes have nothing to do with its ingredients.

Dogs appear to be running in their sleep. Why?

Dogs tend to get a little exercise in even when they're resting. Is it really because they're dreaming about running?

When your bread dough doubles in size overnight, you have a hard-working team of microorganisms to thank.

It's not exactly the "safety in numbers" situation you might be imagining.

The facts on where it comes from, how it works, and whether it could happen with the novel coronavirus.

Alfred Nobel on the front of the Nobel Peace Prize medal.

Only certain people can submit nominations, and the Nobel Committee isn’t allowed to reveal nominees or nominators until 50 years later.

Our brains may be wired to recognize that shapes can indicate danger.

Traffic signs come in a variety of shapes. The Department of Transportation thinks your brain will recognize that some of them mean more danger than others.

Airplane fuel sometimes needs to be jettisoned.

Planes sometimes need to dump fuel to keep their weight down for a safe emergency landing. Here's why it doesn't hit anything.

Dogs use physical contact for a lot of the same reasons humans do.

Dogs like to rest a paw on their owners for a number of reasons, but establishing dominance isn't one of them.

Ironically, a skillet is better for sautéing than a sauté pan is. (But sauté pans have their own skill set.)

"What did I tell you about the elbows, Susie?"

Even Emily Post, the queen of table manners, sometimes graced the tabletop with her elbows. What gives?

Your sheets need to be washed on a regular basis.

Bedsheets may look clean, but they harbor a variety of nasty things—from dust mites to, yes, even poop.

These seemingly random digits can tell you a lot.

Barcode scanners don’t need to register the number below the barcode, but it can tell you a lot about a product.

Fabric softener acts as a lubricant for your laundry.

Fabric softener is supposed to reduce friction and wrinkles and prolong the life of your clothing. But there are some downsides to using it.

Pharmacists are happy to help. But only after you've walked through the entire store.

There's an excellent reason why pharmacy locations like CVS and Walgreens make you walk all the way through the store before picking up your antibiotics.

Coronavirus vaccine trials pose a lot of questions for those looking to volunteer.

Thinking of enrolling in one of the coronavirus vaccine trials being conducted around the country? Here's what you need to know.

Earthquakes don't cause giant cartoonish chasms to open up, but they can tear up the landscape like this.

Fear not: the chances of “The Big One” hitting while you read this article are very, very slim. But that doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

The face of a dog who clearly knows that a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Your dog’s anxiety might be from the thunder itself—or it could be related to knowing a thunderstorm is coming.

The phrase was around long before Kevin Malone dropped his famous chili in season five of ‘The Office.’

If you're looking for a caffeine fix, you know that orange pot isn't going to help.

Both decaf and regular coffee drinkers know what the orange spout and handle on a carafe means, but they may not know why the color was chosen.

If you ever find yourself in a Mac and Me-type situation, it's best to know what to do.

We've all seen 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.' But if you find an alien in your backyard—who you gonna call?

This woman is going to make a quick stop at Whole Foods' bakery section before book club.

Don’t blame yourself for those bone-dry brownies you made in Aspen—blame the air pressure (or lack thereof).

Princess Anne's aversion to handshakes isn't personal—it's logical.

It’s technically a tradition, but many royal family members have dropped the practice (including Queen Elizabeth II).

Why Can’t You Smell Your Own Breath? There Are a Few Theories

Absentee Ballot vs. Mail-In Ballot: What’s the Difference?

What the Color Codes on Toothpaste Tubes Really Mean

The Reason Dogs Run In Their Sleep

What Makes Bread Dough Rise?

What Is Herd Immunity?

How Does the Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Process Work?

The Reason Why Road Signs Have Different Shapes

The Reason Why Fuel Dumped From an Airplane Doesn't Reach the Ground

The Reason Dogs Put Their Paws on You

Skillet vs. Sauté Pan: What’s the Difference?

Why Is It Considered Rude to Eat With Your Elbows on the Table?

Here's How Often You Should Be Washing Your Sheets

What Do the Numbers on Barcodes Mean?

What Does Fabric Softener Actually Do?

The Reason Pharmacies Are Usually Located in the Back of a Store

10 Questions About Joining a Coronavirus Vaccine Trial, Answered

9 Rockin' Facts About Earthquakes

The Reason Dogs Are Terrified of Thunderstorms—And How You Can Help

Why Do We Say ‘Spill the Beans’?

Why Are Decaf Coffee Pots Orange?

What Should You Do In the Unlikely Event You Meet An Alien?

Why Does Altitude Affect Baking?

The Reason Princess Anne Doesn’t Shake Hands With the Public