Life's Little Mysteries

Soda's effervescence comes from processes that super-saturate the liquid with carbon dioxide, which later escapes from the soft drink as tiny, effervescent bubbles.

Stars appear to twinkle because the light from these distant objects passes through wobbly air in the atmosphere.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element with properties similar to those found in phosphorus. It is also a deadly toxin that is difficult to detect.

Science suggests that words aren't strictly necessary for reasoning.

Soap is great at getting rid of pathogenic bacteria and viruses because of its molecular structure.

Pigs have sweat glands, but regulate their body temperature in other ways.

Historians aren't sure where the tomb of Genghis Khan is located, but they’ve made several educated guesses.

Chowing down pet food may not be as safe as it used to be.

Ever take a sip of a flat soda? Here's the chemistry behind it.

The Red Sea takes its name from periodic blooms of a blue-green algae called Trichodesmium erythraeum, which turn the normally vivid blue waters a reddish-brown.

Did you know that the outline or the border of your lips is a special feature of humans only?

Bursting water pipes are a major concern when winter temperatures drop below freezing. But why do freezing pipes burst?

Stars are born amid turbulent clouds, and their deaths can be just as explosive. But how long do stars live? It depends on the size of the star.

The reasons for prehistory's roster of bigger animals range from dinosaur physiology to mammalian social groups.

Both of Earth's poles are cold, but which has more ice and wins the prize for "coldest" pole?

Here's a historical look at the U.K.'s longest (and shortest) ruling monarchs.

Whether you call our planet the Earth, the world or a terrestrial body, all of these names have an origin story deep in history.

Auroras don't just exist on Earth. Here's what we know about auroras on other planets in the solar system.

A terrifying climate change prophecy appears to be upon us, with bomb-like cyclones and searing droughts. But is the weather actually getting worse?

Due to a number of technical and logistical difficulties, as well as meandering through sparsely populated areas, there is no pressing need to build a bridge on the Amazon River.