Newly discovered 'einstein' tile is a 13-sided shape that solves a decades-old math problem By Paul Sutter published 31 March 23 A new 13-sided shape is the first example of an elusive "einstein" — a single shape that can be tiled infinitely without repeating a pattern.
High school students may have just discovered an 'impossible' proof to the 2,000-year-old Pythagorean theorem By Sascha Pare published 31 March 23 Two high school seniors have presented their proof of the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry — which mathematicians thought to be impossible — at an American Mathematical Society meeting.
Mathematicians make rare breakthrough on notoriously tricky 'Ramsey number' problem By Stephanie Pappas published 28 March 23 The bounds on Ramsey numbers, which describe relationships between nodes in a network, have been narrowed.
Haunting 'mermaid' mummy discovered in Japan is even weirder than scientists expected By Harry Baker published 24 February 23 A new analysis of a mummified "mermaid" found in a Japanese temple has revealed exactly what it is made from, and it's not what scientists thought.
Flying saucers to mind control: 24 declassified military & CIA secrets By Denise Chow, Elizabeth Peterson published 27 January 23 From programs to build supersonic flying saucers to atomic bombs, here are the most fascinating declassified military and CIA secrets.
Does evolution ever go backward? By Michael Dhar published 15 January 23 In regressive evolution, organisms lose complex features and can appear to evolve "in reverse." But evolution doesn't retrace its steps, experts said.
How many times can you fold a piece of paper in half? By Charles Q. Choi published 7 January 23 It's easy to fold a piece of paper in half once, twice or even three or four times. But what's the highest number of times one piece of paper can be folded in half?
How long does it take for a body to decompose? By David Volk published 2 January 23 Once a person is dead, their body usually starts to decay immediately, although a good embalming job can delay decay.
Does consciousness explain quantum mechanics? By Paul Sutter published 29 December 22 A wild theory suggests that consciousness may explain quantum mechanics, by forcing the subatomic particles to choose one concrete outcome.
The most famous Bigfoot sightings By Patrick Pester published 27 December 22 Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, is one of North America's most enduring legends, with thousands of people claiming to have seen the giant ape-like creature. Here are the most famous Bigfoot sightings.
Why do Christmas lights always get tangled? By Jennifer Nalewicki published 21 December 22 It's "knot" your fault that Christmas lights always get twisted.
10 of the strangest pregnancies in the world By Lou Mudge published 14 December 22 From the most babies born to one mother to the shortest baby brought to term, these are some of the most notable record-breaking pregnancies.
Belief that COVID-19 was a hoax is a gateway drug to other conspiracy theories By Tia Ghose published 17 November 22 People who believe that the COVID-19 pandemic was a hoax are likelier to believe all sorts of other conspiracy theories, a new study suggests.
Bigfoot: Is the Sasquatch real? By Benjamin Radford, Patrick Pester published 16 November 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.
Crop circles: Myth, theories and history By Stephanie Pappas published 15 November 22 Reference Crop circles are really no mystery. These expansive forms of landscape art are made by people.
What is a second cousin? By Ailsa Harvey, Live Science Staff published 15 November 22 Reference How to identify your second cousin, first cousin once removed and other distant relatives.
Why does chocolate turn white (and is it safe to eat)? By Charles Q. Choi published 12 November 22 Sometimes dark or milk chocolate gets a white sheen or blotchy white spots on it. What is happening, and is chocolate that has turned white safe to eat?
16 of the best conspiracy theories By Benjamin Radford, Stephanie Pappas published 2 November 22 Conspiracy theories that have taken hold range from a faked moon landing to Barack Obama's birthplace to chemtrails.
This Weird Google Earth Picture Does Not Show a Crashed UFO By Rafi Letzter last updated 25 October 22 A popular YouTube channel is trying to convince viewers that photos of an avalanche on an island near Antarctica depict an alien spaceship crash site.
What if humans had tails? By Joanna Thompson published 24 October 22 If humans had tails, what would they be like, and how would we use them?
