life's little mysteries
Latest about life's little mysteries
![A guanaco stands behind red flowered bushes an in front of a snowy mountain range and lake](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mUKZEQC58iSSGfMpzo6LCm-320-80.jpg)
Which continent has the most animal species?
By Katherine Irving published
The diversity of even the largest animals depends on the smallest factors.
![Saturn moon Enceladus in front of planet Saturn, rings and other moons.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dJrQUnf28iZGj7bNgbrbSS-320-80.jpg)
How many moons are in the solar system?
By Harry Baker published
The solar system has many more moons than the one we can see in the sky. But how many do we actually know about? And how many more are waiting to be discovered?
![Illustration of Homo heidelbergensis pair wearing cave bear skins for protection from the cold.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fzmbJeCdMMRTjJwRtCfcXU-320-80.jpg)
When did humans start wearing clothes?
By Ashley Hamer last updated
Clothes don't survive the way artifacts made of stone, bone and other hard materials do, so scientists have to get creative to answer this question.
![A person holds up a sweater that has shrunk to be comically small](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NTFnHWDkSL2zmTPJQSerCX-320-80.jpg)
Why does cotton shrink?
By Sarah Wells published
The science of ruining your favorite shirt is more complicated than you might think.
![A photo of Robert Wadlow, who as twice as tall as the two actresses standing next to him](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AQEfFqbcsXCc5sDhhTpxsh-320-80.jpg)
Have giant humans ever existed?
By Patrick Pester published
Some humans have always stood head and shoulders above their peers, but there's nothing mythological about these real-life human giants.
![hummingbird by flowers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XxgUrjwLqFsGhVgwgbQ5ZG-320-80.jpg)
If birds are dinosaurs, why aren't they cold-blooded?
By Margaret Osborne published
If dinosaurs were reptiles, then why aren't birds cold blooded?
![A young boy blows a bubble of gum that covers his face](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xBQQ4XxwbqTUjEsdLPj45C-320-80.jpg)
Does gum really take 7 years to digest?
By Tyler Santora published
Gum is full of non-food items, like resins, emulsifiers and softeners. So what happens when we swallow a piece?
![An artist's rendering of the sun rising over the earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/w6R9hJMvJ66y5hF33n9P9N-320-80.jpg)
Have days on Earth always been 24 hours?
By Sarah Wells published
Earth's day used to be five hours shorter, and it's predicted to continue lengthening over time.
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