Life's Little Mysteries

Life's Little Mysteries answers fascinating questions about the world around you and the stuff in it, including wild questions you didn't even know you had.

And check out our "Life's Little Mysteries" podcast, where we answer questions about mysteries big and small — about ancient civilizations; our planet and solar system; the plants and animals that live alongside us; our bodies and how they work; and more. Listen in on Apple podcasts, Spotify and Audioboom. 

Related Topics: The Most Interesting YouTube Science Channels, The Amazing Human Brain, Our Amazing Planet

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Two senior multi-ethnic woman, one Caucasian and the other African American, sitting on a porch enjoying each other's company. They are facing each other, laughing, talking and drinking coffee.

Does drinking coffee help you live longer?

By Martin McGuigan published

Habitual coffee consumption may lower your risk of heart disease and death in a given time period, but the jury is still out on whether it promotes longevity.

An image of the Earth from space. Here we see what Pangaea, or Pangea Earth Supercontinent, would have looked like – one giant land mass.

What's the largest ocean that ever existed on Earth?

By Michael Dhar published

Panthalassa, a single world ocean surrounding the supercontinent Pangaea, would have stretched at least 1,800 miles (3,000 kilometers) wider than the Pacific.

Here we see at least nine large open boxes filled with gold coins and jewelry that was collected by the Nazis from their victims. These were found in a cave adjoining the Buchenwald concentration camp.

Is Nazi gold real?

By Martin McGuigan published

Nazi soldiers looted numerous valuable items and tons of gold, but the chances of locating buried treasure are tiny.

An illustration render of an endoscopic view of flowing red blood cells (red, disc-shaped) in a vein.

If blood is red, why do veins look bluish?

By Donavyn Coffey published

Blood is always red, and veins look blue or green because the skin filters light wavelengths differently.

Male astronaut floating upside down in a tucked position in a space station. He has short blond hair and is wearing a gray jumpsuit.

How can you experience weightlessness?

By Joe Phelan published

How one earth (or space) can a person experience microgravity?

This is an image of the Earth at night seen from space (city lights can be seen). You can only see the Northern hemisphere, with North America on the left, and Europe on the right. In the middle of the far distance you can see the sun as a solar flare, lighting up the other side of the Earth.

Is Earth getting closer to the sun, or farther away?

By Charles Q. Choi published

Here's a look at whether Earth is getting closer to or farther from the sun, why that's happening and what effects it might have on our planet.

Lina Medina pictured in 1941 with one of her doctors and her son

What's the youngest age that a person can get pregnant and give birth?

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Pregnancy is possible from the start of ovulation.

An illustration of the influenza virus (giant blue sphere) surrounded by human antibodies (small y-shaped orange shapes).

Could we ever eradicate the flu?

By Isobel Whitcomb published

We have influenza vaccines, but is it possible to eradicate the flu?

Can turtles really breathe through their butts?

Can turtles really breathe through their butts?

By Harry Baker published

Some freshwater turtles engage in a process akin to butt breathing.

Big group of people celebrating a birthday. There are 6 people in total, all cheering and throwing confetti in the air. Three are wearing party hats. In front of them is a table with birthday decorations, such as a chocolate cake and drink cups.

What is the birthday paradox?

By Charles Q. Choi published

If you're in a random group of people, what are the chances that two of the people will have the same birthday?

A volcano erupts in Hawaii near the water.

Where are most of Earth's volcanoes?

By Joe Phelan published

There are about 1,350 potentially active volcanoes on Earth. Where are most of these volcanoes located?

Wildebeests have large herd sizes, but they're not the largest animal group ever recorded.

What's the biggest group of animals ever recorded on Earth?

By Emma Bryce published

For these gregarious animals, 'alone time' is a fantasy.

Person playing chess

Who invented chess?

By Joe Phelan published

When and where was chess invented and why is it still so popular around the world?

Group of bull sharks at Beqa Lagoon in Fiji.

Sharks are older than the dinosaurs. What's the secret to their success?

By Conor Feehly published

Sharks are older than dinosaurs and even trees. What's the secret to their long evolutionary success?

A close-up of a woman's face while sleeping

How much does the soul weigh?

By Stephanie Pappas published

Legend has it that the soul weighs 21 grams, but science can neither prove the existence of the soul nor weigh one.

A woman holding up a color palette

What's the most popular color in the world?

By Tia Ghose published

The most popular color can vary by culture, gender and time.

Four happy woman drinking wine together whilst sitting in a line on an urban rooftop.

Does wine help you live longer?

By Isobel Whitcomb published

People from food cultures where wine is a daily part of life have famously low rates of heart disease and long lives. But does drinking wine actually help you live longer?

Ancient Egyptian Rosetta Stone. It is a giant stone with 3 types of writing carved onto it: Greek, Egyptian, and another form of Egyptian writing.

Why does the Rosetta Stone have 3 kinds of writing?

By Charles Q. Choi published

Here's why ancient Egypt's Rosetta Stone has three texts that say the exact same thing.

Aerial view of New York City skyline with Central Park and Manhattan, USA. A green-shaped slim rectangle full of trees and lakes is surround by towering skyscrapers against the blue day sky.

What is the world's largest city?

By Joe Phelan published

Here's a look at the world's largest cities by size, population and cultural impact.

Atoms consist of a nucleus made of protons and neutrons orbited by electrons.

Where do electrons get energy to spin around an atom's nucleus?

By Paul Sutter published

Quantum mechanics explains why the electrons can keep spinning indefinitely.