life's little mysteries Grid List Latest about life's little mysteries Why do cats knead? By Charles Q. Choi published 3 June 23 If a cat kneads on your lap, it's likely because it feels safe around you. But why do they knead in the first place? Why do animals keep evolving into crabs? By Laurel Hamers published 29 May 23 Crabby bodies are so evolutionarily favorable, they've evolved at least five different times. So why does this process, known as carcinization, keep happening? What was the longest-lasting civilization? By Tom Metcalfe published 28 May 23 Is the longest-lasting civilization China, ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia? Here's a look at the evidence for each of these enduring cultures. What is the 'ship of Theseus' thought experiment? By Meg Duff published 27 May 23 The Greek writer Plutarch proposed this question: If a ship's planks are replaced over time due to wear and tear until none of the original pieces remain, is it still the same ship? Why do people like spicy food? By Donavyn Coffey published 23 May 23 The chemicals that make food spicy don't target taste receptors, but rather temperature receptors in the tongue. What happens if you skydive through a cloud? By Amanda Heidt published 22 May 23 What it's like to skydive through a cloud depends in part on the type of cloud, but regardless, you'll likely end up cold and wet. Why are insects attracted to artificial lights? By Meg Duff published 21 May 23 Artificial lights can be deadly to the insects that fly around them, so why do these critters do it? Do snakes have ears? By Tyler Santora last updated 19 May 23 Snakes have anatomy that helps them hear, you just can't see it when they slither by. What is the deadliest spider in the world? By Joshua A. Krisch published 15 May 23 Although nearly all spiders are venomous, a few stand out from the crowd for their potent toxins. So, which spider is the deadliest in the world? Did Noah's flood really happen? By Patrick Pester published 14 May 23 Noah's flood is a story much older than the Bible, and researchers are still learning about its roots. 123456789Archives Live Science newsletter Stay up to date on the latest science news by signing up for our Essentials newsletter. Name: Your Email Address : Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors Thank you for signing up to Live Science. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. MOST READMOST SHARED1US shoots down UFOs over Lake Huron and Canada2What was the longest-lasting civilization?3The oldest tree in the world (and the 7 runner-ups)4Nearly 6 million-year-old 'elephant graveyard' unearthed in Florida5Repeated signals from the center of the Milky Way could be aliens saying hello, new study claims1First Martian life likely broke the planet with climate change, made themselves extinct2Octopuses torture and eat themselves after mating. Science finally knows why.3Never-before-seen 'crystal-like matter' hidden in a chunk of fossilized lightning is probably a brand new mineral42,700-year-old petroglyphs depicting people, ships and animals discovered in Sweden5What is the speed of light?
Why do cats knead? By Charles Q. Choi published 3 June 23 If a cat kneads on your lap, it's likely because it feels safe around you. But why do they knead in the first place?
Why do animals keep evolving into crabs? By Laurel Hamers published 29 May 23 Crabby bodies are so evolutionarily favorable, they've evolved at least five different times. So why does this process, known as carcinization, keep happening?
What was the longest-lasting civilization? By Tom Metcalfe published 28 May 23 Is the longest-lasting civilization China, ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia? Here's a look at the evidence for each of these enduring cultures.
What is the 'ship of Theseus' thought experiment? By Meg Duff published 27 May 23 The Greek writer Plutarch proposed this question: If a ship's planks are replaced over time due to wear and tear until none of the original pieces remain, is it still the same ship?
Why do people like spicy food? By Donavyn Coffey published 23 May 23 The chemicals that make food spicy don't target taste receptors, but rather temperature receptors in the tongue.
What happens if you skydive through a cloud? By Amanda Heidt published 22 May 23 What it's like to skydive through a cloud depends in part on the type of cloud, but regardless, you'll likely end up cold and wet.
Why are insects attracted to artificial lights? By Meg Duff published 21 May 23 Artificial lights can be deadly to the insects that fly around them, so why do these critters do it?
Do snakes have ears? By Tyler Santora last updated 19 May 23 Snakes have anatomy that helps them hear, you just can't see it when they slither by.
What is the deadliest spider in the world? By Joshua A. Krisch published 15 May 23 Although nearly all spiders are venomous, a few stand out from the crowd for their potent toxins. So, which spider is the deadliest in the world?
Did Noah's flood really happen? By Patrick Pester published 14 May 23 Noah's flood is a story much older than the Bible, and researchers are still learning about its roots.
