SCIENCE

Brian Mueller (super soaker), New Africa (light bulb and seat belt), Feng Yu (duct ape), los_jan (toilet), non123 (Walkman), 3DMI (Hubble), Areeya_Ann (birth control pills) // Shutterstock; Julia Lemba (backgrounds) // iStock via Getty Images Plus

The Stories Behind 20 Inventions That Changed the World

From blood banks and barcodes to the Super Soaker and the pizza box, here are the fascinating stories behind inventions that changed the world.

Can Plants Die of Old Age?

Houseplants can die of old age, but likely not within your lifetime.

An ice-free Antarctica is barely recognizable.

What Antarctica Looks Like Under All That Ice

If you've wondered what the land underneath Antarctica's ice actually looks like, science has an answer.

There have been major advancements in Oreo science.

Plot Twist: Science Has Figured Out If You Can Split an Oreo Cookie Perfectly

Researchers at MIT looked at "postmortem crème distribution" to see if two Oreo wafers can have an equal amount of filling after being twisted.

Some cheese should be treated with suspicion.

What's the White Stuff on Cheese?

There's a fine line between delicious and disgusting.

Your love of dipping fries in milkshakes can be explained by science.

The Surprising Science Behind Why People Dip Fries in Milkshakes

It seems to go against logic, but the appeal of milkshake-dipped French fries is backed by the science of taste.

DNA Analysis of Beethoven’s Hair Reveals New Clues About His Death

The composer suffered from hearing loss and a number of mysterious ailments before his death at age 56. His hair is providing some answers.

Why Does Squinting Help You See Better?

Why does using less of your eye help you see something more clearly? There's a pretty simple explanation.

Why Do the Bubbles in a Pint of Guinness Beer Sink?

It all comes down to a little science and the shape of your drinking vessel.

Scientists May Have Finally Figured Out Why So Much Smog Forms in New Delhi

The wintertime haze has become a serious health threat to residents. Scientists think they now know the cause.

11 Radiant Facts About Marie Curie

Marie Curie, who was born in Warsaw, Poland, on November 7, 1867, is still the only person to receive Nobel Prizes in two different sciences.

An illustration of part of our solar system (not to scale).

One Misconception About Each Planet in the Solar System

Let's debunk some planetary misconceptions to make you feel a little bit closer to the majesty of space. Except, maybe not to Uranus.

What Causes Red Tides?

The phenomenon might look like a biblical plague, but the source is far more mundane.

A Brief History of Molecular Gastronomy

Explore the complicated and controversial history of molecular gastronomy.

19 Brilliant Facts About Albert Einstein

Once a simple patent clerk, Albert Einstein changed the world with his theories of special and general relativity.

Taxidermied lions in a diorama at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

13 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Taxidermy

Think all there is to taxidermy is stuffing an animal? Think again. Since the days of William Hornaday and Carl Akeley, taxidermy has been a scientific art.

Can You Really Laugh Yourself to Death?

In 1975, a woman found her husband dead in a chair after watching a BBC sitcom. He had been laughing for almost a half-hour. Was it merriment that killed him?

Snow geese, sandhill cranes, and ducks make New Mexico's Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge their fall and winter home.

9 Astounding Facts About Bird Migration

Long-distance bird migration is one of the natural world’s most inspiring phenomena—and how we learned about it is just as fascinating.

Chemistry between couples does involve actual chemistry.

When You Feel “Chemistry” With Someone, What’s Actually Going On?

We know chemistry when we feel it, but we don't always know why we're drawn to one person over another. Science has some answers … but not all of them.

11 Facts About the Animals of Chernobyl

Researchers thought the site of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster was unable to support life. But a bunch of wolves, deer, wild boars, bears, and foxes disagreed.

8 of the Biggest Tsunamis in History

The biggest tsunami ever recorded reached 1720 feet high—which is taller than the Willis Tower in Chicago.

This is going to screw with your sense of time.

How Long Are Days and Years on Other Planets in Our Solar System?

How long is a day on Mars? What about a year on Venus? The answers will probably mess with your sense of time.

Elijah McCoy devised his first invention while working on the Michigan Central Railroad.

10 Little-Known Facts About Inventor Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy’s most famous creation, an automatic oil cup that lubricated steam engines on trains, may have spawned the phrase “the real McCoy.”

An eastern hellbender, North America's largest salamander.

Raisin' Hellbenders: How Scientists Are Saving North America's Largest Salamander

A team of dedicated scientists is raising eastern hellbenders and releasing them into rivers, helping these ample amphibians to survive.

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