
Marilyn Perkins
Marilyn Perkins is the content manager at Live Science. She is a science writer and illustrator based in Los Angeles, California. She received her master’s degree in science writing from Johns Hopkins and her bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Pomona College. Her work has been featured in publications including New Scientist, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health magazine and Penn Today, and she was the recipient of the 2024 National Association of Science Writers Excellence in Institutional Writing Award, short-form category.
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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?
By Marilyn Perkins Last updated
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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.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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How does E. coli get into food?Dangerous strains of E. coli bacteria can infiltrate the food supply through many different routes, experts explain.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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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?
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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Who invented the car? The history of the automobileReference 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.
By Lauren Cox Last updated
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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?
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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How many blood types are there?Red blood cells are complex — there's much more to blood types than A, B and O.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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Periodic table of elements: How it works and who created itThe Periodic Table, first created by Dmitri Mendeleev, organizes all of the known elements in an informative array.
By Jeanna Bryner Last updated
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Pangaea: Discover facts about Earth's ancient supercontinentPangaea is Earth's most recent supercontinent, which existed 320 million to 195 million years ago.
By Laura Geggel Last updated
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Can viruses cause cancer?The far-reaching impact of certain viruses on the body can make cells grow out of control, causing cancer.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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How to turn off web notifications for Google Chrome and macOSHere's a handy guide on how to turn off web notifications for Google Chrome and macOS.
By Jeanna Bryner Last updated
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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.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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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.
By Robert Coolman Last updated
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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.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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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.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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Why do we forget things we were just thinking about?When the brain "juggles" information, things can fall through the cracks.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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Are people more honest when they're drunk?Drinking can change the brain in a way that makes people more likely to speak their mind, but the effects aren't always straightforward.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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Why does heat cause headaches?The trigger behind summertime headaches may not be heat itself, but all of the things that come along with it, an expert said.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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Why are so many Roman statues headless?There are many reasons an ancient statue might accidentally lose its head — and some for its head to be severed on purpose.
By Marilyn Perkins Published
