Life's Little Mysteries

A sparking mystery

The relationship between arm movements and gaits could help explain how arm proportions evolved in the human family tree.

You will not go to the moon today.

As any lobster connoisseur knows, this crustacean turns bright red when it's heated. Why does this dramatic color transformation happen?

Beneath the Arctic lie billions of barrels of oil. But as the international energy race intensifies, we wonder, how did all that oil get there in the first place?

Going to the zoo can be a great adventure, especially if you find poop hurtling in your direction.

If you nibble on a mint leaf, you might notice that it makes your mouth feel cool. That's because mint, much like chili peppers, is a biochemical success story — for plants, at least.

It's not just a void of empty space.

Contrary to the common surfing myth, if you see sharks, there are probably dolphins nearby, experts say.

Humans did not evolve from apes, gorillas or chimps. We share a common ancestor and have followed different evolutionary paths.

Was the planet ever as hot as it is today, when every month the globe seems to be breaking one high-temperature record after another?

If you look around space, you'll notice a lot of things — the planets, stars, moons, even the galaxy itself — have one thing in common: they're spinning. So, is the universe spinning, too?

Why do we give such a sour-looking response to sour foods?

From the surface of the moon, you'd be able to watch Earth wax and wane through phases.

Could our most beloved fruit go extinct?

Can you blame dozing at work on allergies?

Some people can sit outside all summer long and not suffer from mosquito bites. Others turn into an itchy mess despite bathing in DEET and never leaving the purple glow of the bug zapper. What gives?

Why are there so many bones in animal skulls, and which animals have the most?