Why was whaling so big in the 19th century? By Emma Bryce For centuries, we plundered the ocean's depths, hauling up whales by the thousands. But what was the purpose of this dangerous and destructive industry?
What's the difference between race and ethnicity? By Emma Bryce This question reveals something much deeper about the ways we understand — and misunderstand — race.
How Big Can Lightning Get? By Emma Bryce How big can lightning get: Two miles long? Twenty? Fifty? Think again.
How Many Calories Can the Brain Burn by Thinking? By Emma Bryce Our brains are ravenous, guzzling up to a quarter of the body's energy. So thinking really hard should be an easy way to burn more calories — right?
Why Do Pigeons Bob Their Heads? By Emma Bryce Head-bobbing might make pigeons look ridiculous, but there's a practical purpose behind this very strange display.
Who Owns the Arctic? By Emma Bryce Several countries are launching claims to vast swathes of the Arctic seabed. But what does that mean for political and environmental stability in the region?
How Many Humans Could the Moon Support? By Emma Bryce How many people could fit on the moon? Answering that may require asking other questions — about lunar survival.
What Was It Like to Be an Executioner in the Middle Ages? By Emma Bryce The image of the hooded executioner is iconic, but it tells us only a small part of the story.
Why Is There So Much Oil in the Arctic? By Emma Bryce Beneath the Arctic lie billions of barrels of oil. But as the international energy race intensifies, we wonder, how did all that oil get there in the first place?
What Are the Alternatives to Animal Testing? By Emma Bryce We're making great strides in developing alternatives, but here's why it's still necessary to test on animals.
Why Do Our Fingernails Keep Growing Until the Day We Die? By Emma Bryce You may give them little thought beyond when to trim them or which nail color to apply. But the humble nail laid the groundwork for our evolution into the humans we are today.
What Is the Toothiest Animal on Earth? By Emma Bryce How many teeth can one mouth hold? You may be surprised.
How Do Emperor Penguin Dads Stop Their Eggs From Freezing? By Emma Bryce These penguin dads are basically walking hot-water bottles.
Why Do People Hate Comic Sans So Much? By Emma Bryce The inventor of Comic Sans shares his thoughts about why so many people hate his creation.
Should You Take Off Your Shoes Indoors? By Emma Bryce Your home contains thousands of uninvited bacteria. Should you be worried?
How Do Squirrels Remember Where They Buried Their Nuts? By Emma Bryce Nut-obsessed squirrels might be smarter than you think.
How Did People Wake Up Before Alarm Clocks? By Emma Bryce How did people wake up before the invention of modern alarm clocks?
Why Are There So Many Pigeons? By Emma Bryce How history, architecture and, weirdly enough, bird milk have enabled pigeons to thrive in cities.
Why Do Dogs Scratch the Ground After They Pee? By Emma Bryce Your dog's ground-kicking habit could reveal more about your pet than you think.
Why Do Some of Us Shiver When We Pee? By Emma Bryce Is there a purpose to pee shivers, or are they simply a biological glitch?
Should Breast-Feeding Women Really Drink Guinness? By Emma Bryce Is beer the route to better breast-feeding?
