Live Science: The Most Interesting Articles, Mysteries & Discoveries

Planet Earth

Diamonds: Formation, grading and other facts

By Andrew May published 18 January 22

Reference Diamonds are unique among gemstones, with intriguing physical properties and practical applications far beyond jewelry.

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NOAA's GOES West satellite captured this stunning view of an explosive eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, located in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga, on Jan. 15, 2022.

Huge Tonga underwater volcano eruption captured in stunning satellite video

By Tariq Malik published 16 January 22

A powerful underwater volcano eruption in Tonga on Saturday (Jan. 15) was captured as it happened in stunning satellite images.

Space and Physics

An artist's depiction of the planet XO-3b on an eccentric orbit around its star.

Scorching alien planet takes seasons to an extreme

By Meghan Bartels published 18 January 22

Scientists have gotten a close look at an extreme case of seasons, thanks to a retired NASA telescope.

The full moon rises behind Monte Camicia mountain in Gran Sasso National Park in Italy, on Dec. 19, 2021.

How to watch the 'Ice Moon' rise on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

By Stephanie Pappas published 16 January 22

The first full moon of 2022 will rise at 6:48 p.m. EST on Monday (Jan. 17), which is also the day the U.S. observes the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

History

One of the biggest man-made disasters, Chernobyl nuclear plant

11 of the world’s biggest man-made disasters

By Mike Jennings published 18 January 22

Reference We explore some of the biggest, most significant, and most harmful man-made disasters in human history, from nuclear explosions to oil spills

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Italian Culture: Rome panoramic, Vatican City

Italian Culture: Facts, customs & traditions

By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Jonathan Gordon published 17 January 22

REFERENCE Italian culture goes back to the ancient, had a massive impact on the Renaissance and is represented in the world today by its art, fashion and popular food.

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Health

Why does slicing onions make you cry?

By Donavyn Coffey published 17 January 22

Here's why you may start tearing up while slicing an onion.

Blue Pure 211+ review: image shows Blue Pure 211+ air purifier at home

Air quality

By Live Science Staff published 15 January 22

Live Science delivers all the air quality news, explainers and product guides so you can breathe easy.

Should you brush you tongue: image of woman brushing tongue

Oral hygiene

By Live Science Staff published 15 January 22

Oral hygiene is important for your overall health, and you can find all the information here on Live Science to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

Animals

A pale-throated sloth (Bradypus tridactylus)

Which animals have the longest arms?

By John Arnst published 18 January 22

Of all the living animals in the world, these are the ones with the longest arms, relative to body size.

The blanket octopus swimming near the surface above the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Rare octopus video shows 'once-in-a-lifetime encounter'

By Patrick Pester published 16 January 22

A mesmerizing new video of an elusive blanket octopus swimming above the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia shows a "once-in-a-lifetime encounter."

The animal bones at Umm el-Marra were thought to be from kungas because their teeth had marks from bit harnesses and wear patterns that showed they had been fed, rather than left to graze.

1st bioengineered hybrid animals discovered — in ancient Mesopotamia

By Tom Metcalfe published 14 January 22

Mesopotamians were using hybrids of domesticated donkeys and wild asses to pull their war wagons 4,500 years ago, scientists have found.

Strange News

A girl looking at a world map in a classroom.

Why is the world map you know wrong?

By Joe Phelan published 15 January 22

Here's why flat world maps always have distortions.

A concept image of a Bigfoot silhouette walking through a forest.

Bigfoot: Is the Sasquatch real?

By Benjamin Radford, Patrick Pester published 14 January 22

Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, is a large ape-like creature some people believe inhabits North America but there's no hard evidence it actually exists.

Why does cannabis smell skunky?

By John Arnst published 8 January 22

Cannabis has long been called "skunky." Turns out, stinky sulfurous compounds are to blame.

Culture

A woman at a clear white board writes down ideas.

Can humanity run out of ideas?

By Paula Schaap published 4 January 22

Humans will likely never run out of regular, mundane ideas, but whether will will run out of big ideas is a more nuanced issue.

A boy sticking his tongue out while he concentrates.

Why do we stick out our tongues when we're concentrating?

By Donavyn Coffey published 27 December 21

Researchers have several ideas as to why people sometimes stick out their tongues when they're concentrating.

American Culture: Traditions and Customs of the United States

By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Callum McKelvie published 21 December 21

Reference Nearly every region of the world has influenced the customs and traditions of the United States.

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Tech

Bluetooth: Who invented it and how does it work?

By Mark Smith published 17 January 22

Reference Bluetooth was inspired by a Nordic king and harnesses the power of radio. How has this wireless connectivity reshaped our electronic ecosystems.

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Energy saving light bulbs being put in a ceiling light

How do energy saving light bulbs work?

By Mark Smith published 11 January 22

Reference Energy saving light bulbs: mechanics, efficiency and designs

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The time crystal was created inside Google's Sycamore chip, which is kept cool inside their quantum cryostat.

10 of the weirdest experiments of 2021

By Ben Turner published 30 December 21

Every year, scientists undertake some truly baffling experiments, and 2021 was no exception.

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