Latest articles by Marilyn Perkins
Elephants: Facts about Earth's largest living land animals
Discover interesting facts about elephants, the highly intelligent and social animals that roam Africa and Asia.
Can animals learn another species' 'language'?
Animals hear other species communicate around them every day. Do they understand what they're saying?
Do other animals kiss?
Kissing is a multifaceted and emotionally loaded behavior. Do other animals do it, too?
What is aphantasia?
A small percentage of the population has aphantasia, meaning they're unable to visualize using their mind's eye. Learn about this condition and the neuroscience behind it.
Orcas: Facts about killer whales
Discover interesting facts about orcas, the deadly and beautiful predators that lurk in every ocean.
Sharks: Facts about some of the ocean's top predators
Discover interesting facts about where sharks live, how big they can get, and how likely it is to get bitten by one.
The 10 deadliest cancers, and why there's no cure
The deadliest cancers aren't necessarily the ones that kill the most people overall; they're the ones with the lowest survival rates.
Why do we add fluoride to drinking water, and is it safe?
Fluoride is added to tap water in many countries around the world. But why?
Are cats and dogs smarter than babies?
It's possible to compare some aspects of animal and human intelligence, but not all researchers like to.
How does E. coli get into food?
Dangerous strains of E. coli bacteria can infiltrate the food supply through many different routes, experts explain.
Could monkeys really type the complete works of Shakespeare?
The infinite monkey theorem is a fun thought experiment, but does it actually apply to our finite world?
Who invented the car? The history of the automobile
Reference Discover the complex history of the automobile, from early self-propelled vehicles to Karl Benz's invention of the first modern car, and explore the key innovators who shaped the cars we drive today.
Can you get high from poppy seeds?
Poppy seeds come from the same plant that's used to make opium and morphine. So can they get you high?
How many blood types are there?
Red blood cells are complex — there's much more to blood types than A, B and O.
Periodic table of elements: How it works and who created it
The Periodic Table, first created by Dmitri Mendeleev, organizes all of the known elements in an informative array.
Pangaea: Discover facts about Earth's ancient supercontinent
Pangaea is Earth's most recent supercontinent, which existed 320 million to 195 million years ago.
Can viruses cause cancer?
The far-reaching impact of certain viruses on the body can make cells grow out of control, causing cancer.
How to turn off web notifications for Google Chrome and macOS
Here's a handy guide on how to turn off web notifications for Google Chrome and macOS.
Why do hangovers get worse with age?
Scientists haven't actually confirmed a link between age and hangover severity, but there are some reasons why older people might feel worse after a night of drinking than young folks would.
Keeping time: The history, origin and meanings of B.C. and A.D.
The use of "anno domini" and "before Christ" to mark time began in the early days of Christianity, when clerics needed to know when Easter would fall.
How long is the flu contagious?
Many factors affect the infectious period of seasonal influenza, commonly called "the flu," but there are some good rules of thumb for when it's safe to return to work or school.
Why does meat have more protein than vegetables?
The biological needs of plants and animals affect their cells' protein content, but the story goes deeper than that.
Why do we forget things we were just thinking about?
When the brain "juggles" information, things can fall through the cracks.
