Life's Little Mysteries: Science questions, answered
Latest about Life's Little Mysteries

Why isn’t an atom’s nucleus round?
By Victoria Atkinson published
The nuclei of atoms are often portrayed as round in textbooks, but it turns out they're rarely spherical.

How many satellites could fit in Earth orbit? And how many do we really need?
By Harry Baker published
The number of satellites orbiting Earth is rising fast, thanks to private companies such as SpaceX. But just how big will these "megaconstellations" become? And what problems might they cause?

Do parrots actually understand what they're saying?
By Marilyn Perkins published
Parrots are prolific vocal learners. But do they actually understand the words they say?

How long can human sperm survive?
By Emma Bryce published
It's a myth that sperm die upon contact with oxygen. In fact, their resilience might surprise you.

When will the universe die?
By Sarah Wells published
The universe has been expanding for 13.8 billion years, but this may not go on forever. According to some theories, we may be accelerating toward a cataclysmic end.

How is Roman concrete still standing after 2,000 years?
By Elana Spivack published
Roman concrete's durability comes from a combination of its ingredients and production methods.

How many satellites orbit Earth?
By Harry Baker last updated
The number of satellites orbiting our planet is rising fast, thanks to private "megaconstellations" that pose various threats to space exploration and astronomy. But how big has the problem already become?

Why do elephants have big ears?
By Sara Hashemi published
Elephants have the largest ears in the animal kingdom, and there's a practical reason for that.
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