Life's Little Mysteries

Scary portrayals of great whites in pop culture might lead some people to wonder if the world would be better off with no sharks at all.

The Saffir-Simpson hurricane only goes up to Category 5. But in theory, winds from a powerful hurricane could blow the scale out of the water, scientists say.

Ever wanted to time travel? Just look out at the night sky.

Why is mold fuzzy, and is this fuzz dangerous to eat?

The image of the hooded executioner is iconic, but it tells us only a small part of the story.

Does drinking chamomile tea actually make people sleepy?

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?