Live Science: The Most Interesting Articles, Mysteries & Discoveries

Planet Earth

The tallest trees on Earth live in California. These towering coastal redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), shown here in the Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve, Santa Cruz Mountains, can live for hundreds of years.

What is the world's tallest tree?

By Tia Ghose published 23 May 22

The largest coastal redwoods tower more than 350 feet above the ground.

A prism splitting white light into the color spectrum (rainbow).

What is visible light?

By Jim Lucas published 23 May 22

Reference Visible light is a type of electromagnetic radiation between the infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths, and it can be detected by cells in the human eye.

Reference

Space and Physics

What is visible light?

By Jim Lucas published 23 May 22

Reference Visible light is a type of electromagnetic radiation between the infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths, and it can be detected by cells in the human eye.

Reference

An illustration of the Voyager 1 spacecraft, which is traveling through interstellar space.

Voyager 1 sends strange signals from beyond the solar system. Scientists are confused.

By Meghan Bartels published 20 May 22

NASA's Voyager 1 space probe sent a confusing signal back to Earth, suggesting the craft doesn't know where it's located.

History

This image shows 2 leg bones at different angles, the lower right leg being amputated. The rough endings on the bones of the lower right leg suggest the amputation was inflicted as a punishment and was not the result of an accident or disease.

Ancient Chinese woman faced brutal 'yue' punishment, had foot cut off, skeleton reveals

By Tom Metcalfe published 23 May 22

Archaeologists think the missing foot of a woman buried in China almost 3,000 years ago was amputated as a criminal punishment, according to a new study.

A camel caravan crosses in front of the great pyramids at Giza with a stunning sunrise in the background.

What did ancient Egypt's pharaohs stash inside the pyramids?

By Owen Jarus published 22 May 22

The ancient Egyptian king Tutankhamun was entombed with lavish grave goods. What were other Egyptian pharaohs buried with in ancient times?

Health

This electron microscope image shows virus particles of the monkeypox virus taken from human skin in 2003.

Monkeypox outbreaks tied to sex at 2 raves in Europe

By Jeanna Bryner published 23 May 22

The current outbreaks of the monkeypox virus in Europe and North America might have originated and spread through sex at two raves in Spain and Belgium.

A photo of healthy fats, including oily fish, avocados and olive oil

What is dietary fat?

By Lou Mudge published 23 May 22

Everything you need to know about dietary fat and why including it in your diet is important for good health

14 healthy snack ideas to keep you feeling full

By Joanne Lewsley published 23 May 22

Try these healthy snack ideas to boost your energy levels whilst keeping your nutrition in check

Animals

Dromedary camels have one hump, like the animal here walking in the desert between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

What do camels eat in the desert?

By Jeanna Bryner published 23 May 22

Camels' large, leathery mouths can handle the prickly thorns of almost any kind of desert vegetation, including that which other desert animals steer clear of.

A photo of two Triops intertwined underwater.

Triops: Facts about the three-eyed 'dinosaur shrimp'

By Patrick Pester published 23 May 22

Triops, commonly called tadpole shrimp or dinosaur shrimp, belong to an ancient group of freshwater crustaceans and live in temporary pools.

Two scarlet macaws are perched on a branch (they are red, yellow, and blue in color, with long tail feathers). In the background there are lots of dark green tree leaves.

Why do parrots live so long?

By Charles Q. Choi published 23 May 22

Scientists may have untangled the mystery as to why parrots have such long lifespans.

Strange News

U.S. Navy videos of alleged UFO sightings were previously available but had not been officially declassified.

Footage of hypersonic metallic UFO shown by Pentagon officials at historic hearing

By Ben Turner published 17 May 22

Pentagon officials speaking at the first public hearing on UFOs since the 1960s have shown previously classified footage of an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP).

A government employee photographed a UFO that hovered for 15 minutes near Holloman Air Development Center in New Mexico, on Dec.16, 1957.

Watch live: Pentagon UFO sightings will finally be publicly aired at today's Congressional hearing

By Ben Turner published 16 May 22

The U.S. Congress is set to hold its first public hearing on UFOs since the 1960s on Tuesday (May 17). Here's what to expect.

A metal kettle attached to a log structure hangs over a campfire near a lake.

Why does wood catch fire, but metal doesn't?

By JoAnna Wendel published 15 May 22

Burning is the release of energy, and some materials like metals, can absorb energy better than others, such as wood.

Culture

Brooklyn's Mexican community marches down 5th Avenue in the Sunset Park neighborhood during a Cinco de Mayo parade on May 7, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York

Cinco de Mayo: History and facts about the celebration of Latin culture

By Remy Melina published 4 May 22

Reference Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration of Latin culture, with origins in a 19th-century battle.

Reference

Two darker skinned females against blue background. Researchers have found that as a tool for grouping people into racial categories, skin color is basically useless.

What's the difference between race and ethnicity?

By Emma Bryce published 9 April 22

Race and ethnicity are terms that are sometimes used sloppily, almost interchangeably. But race and ethnicity are not the same thing.

Nelson Mandela visits Hlengiwe School_Louise Gubb via Getty Images

What is the Mandela effect? And have you experienced it?

By Joe Phelan published 19 March 22

The Mandela effect is when many people believe that something happened when, in reality, it never did.

Tech

Best wildlife photography cameras 2022

By James Artaius published 17 May 22

BUYING GUIDE These are the best wildlife photography cameras for shooting in the Serengeti, the local zoo, and everywhere in-between.

BUYING GUIDE

Olympus OM-D E-M1X review

By James Artaius published 17 May 22

REVIEW Looking for ultra lightweight kit that packs a heavyweight punch? The Olympus OM-D E-M1X provides a compact system that’s ideal for wildlife and safari shooting.

REVIEW

Canon EOS R5 review

By James Artaius published 17 May 22

REVIEW The Canon EOS R5 is so good at photographing wildlife, it’s effectively a cheat code for capturing images of animals – not to mention humans or any other subject.

REVIEW

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