Life's Little Mysteries

When is a moon not a moon — and does it matter?

Up to 90% of people are right-handed. Scientists are still trying to figure out why lefties have always been in the minority.

Our brains are ravenous, guzzling up to a quarter of the body's energy. So thinking really hard should be an easy way to burn more calories — right?

Cats that have an extreme response to catnip may look like they're experiencing euphoria.

When did time travel stories first appear, and what makes them so popular?

Do you have the personality trait that leads you to thrive in the face of fear?

Ever been in an empty house and felt like someone's watching you? For some, that sensation, that fear of ghosts, is never-ending.

Chemical signals in your body can go a little haywire if you don't heed your hunger.

When used correctly, microwave ovens are safe, according to the FDA.

Head-bobbing might make pigeons look ridiculous, but there's a practical purpose behind this very strange display.

Imagine a world where mountains grow so high, they poke through the upper atmosphere and create a rocky maze for pilots to navigate.

Several countries are launching claims to vast swathes of the Arctic seabed. But what does that mean for political and environmental stability in the region?

A complex network of skull bones, ligaments and muscles allows a snake to swallow prey with bodies much larger than the sinuous predator's own head.

A paleobiologist uncovered a never-before-seen microinvertebrate in Dominican amber.

As compasses draw closer to the magnetic North and South Poles, they become less reliable.

How many different types of infinity are there, and can we count past any of them?

Earth's magnetic field is weakening, but it's not the end of the world.

How many people could fit on the moon? Answering that may require asking other questions — about lunar survival.

Parents' fears about vaccine safety may prompt them to eliminate or delay vaccinations, but doing this can jeopardize an infant's health.