life's little mysteries
Latest about life's little mysteries
When did humans start burying their dead?
By Patrick Pester published
Ancient caves mark the beginning of recorded burial rituals, but there's still so much we don't know about the history of human graves.
What's the deepest-occurring gemstone on Earth?
By Amanda Heidt published
Very few gems can withstand the intense pressure of Earth's mantle, but some require it to crystallize.
Which group of animals has the most species?
By Emma Bryce published
The leading group is so diverse that it represents one in every three animal species on Earth.
Can foxgloves really give you a heart attack?
By Victoria Atkinson published
Foxgloves contain digoxin, a drug used to treat cardiac arrhythmia and heart failure that can also be toxic. But can ingesting it cause a heart attack?
How often do orcas attack humans?
By Patrick Pester published
Killer whales are surprisingly gentle in the wild when interacting with humans — though it's sometimes a different story with orcas in captivity.
Is hydrogen a metal?
By Hannah Loss published
Hydrogen is not a metal on Earth, but scientists keep trying to create metallic hydrogen under high pressure to unlock a new superconductor.
Is anything harder than a diamond?
By Laurel Hamers published
Diamonds are naturally hard, but is there anything from Earth, space or even a lab that's harder?
How many tectonic plates does Earth have?
By Emma Bryce published
The number varies from a dozen to almost 100 — and most of these don't even appear on official maps.
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