RSS

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.

Latest Updates

Lightning strikes light up the sky in Montevideo, Uruguay on Feb. 20, 2022.

What's the longest lightning bolt ever recorded?

By Emma Bryce published 4 April 22

Lightning is one of the greatest natural forces on our planet. New mapping tools are revealing just how big it is.

Planet Earth. Credit to NASA/DSCOVR EPIC

Why isn't Earth perfectly round?

By JoAnna Wendel published 3 April 22

A spinning planet is subject to centrifugal force, which causes its equator to bulge at the sides.

Woman in garden feeding carrot to dog_Iuliia Bondar via Getty Images

Is it safe to feed cats and dogs a vegetarian diet?

By Donavyn Coffey published 2 April 22

Many people give up meat for ethical, health or environmental reasons. But is it OK to put a cat or a dog on a vegetarian or vegan diet?

An illustration of red blood cells in plasma

Why do we have different blood types?

By Tyler Santora published 28 March 22

The disease malaria appears to have influenced blood type prevalence.

A panorama from the highest point in the city of Sanya in the Hainan Province, China. Юлия Моисеенко via Getty Images

What countries and cities will disappear due to rising sea levels?

By Joe Phelan published 27 March 22

What cities, states and countries are most at risk from rising sea levels? What can they do to protect themselves?

Cropped version_Anatomy Students standing next to human anatomy model in front of periodic table_moodboard via Getty Images

What are the most common elements in the human body?

By Donavyn Coffey published 26 March 22

Here are the top four (and a bonus fifth) elements that make up the human body.

x-ray video shows a boa constrictor using its ribcage to breathe as one portion of its body is constricted by a blood pressure cuff

How do boa constrictors avoid suffocating when they squeeze their prey?

By Nicoletta Lanese published 24 March 22

A new study reveals how the snakes breathe while squeezing prey.

Astronaut floating in space. Jonathan Knowles via Getty Images

Why does NASA let male astronauts stay in space longer than females?

By John Arnst published 21 March 22

Here's why NASA has different radiation limits for male and female astronauts, and how these limits may change in the near future.

Polar bear on melting ice in Svalbard, Norway_Paul Souders via Getty Images

Why aren't there polar bears in Antarctica?

By JoAnna Wendel published 20 March 22

Polar bears evolved during a time when the North and South poles were not connected by ice or land, so they stayed at the North Pole.

Nelson Mandela visits Hlengiwe School_Louise Gubb via Getty Images

What is the Mandela effect? And have you experienced it?

By Joe Phelan published 19 March 22

The Mandela effect is when many people believe that something happened when, in reality, it never did.

What's the longest-burning fire in the world?

By Brittney J. Miller published 14 March 22

The oldest known burning fire in the world was likely ignited by lightning at least 5,500 years ago in Australia.

Geminids meteor shower_Haitong Yu via Getty Images

How rare are shooting stars?

By Joe Phelan published 13 March 22

Here's the science behind "shooting stars" and the best way to spot these meteors.

Why are scabs so itchy?

By Ashley Hamer published 12 March 22

Here's the science behind itchy scabs and the best way to help your skin heal.

The medical symbol of snakes intertwined around a staff is today, instantly recognisable.

Why is the medical symbol a snake on a stick?

By Remy Melina, Ben Biggs published 11 March 22

Life's Little Mysteries investigates the meaning behind the medical emblem of two snakes entwined around a rod.

Comet 67P_Churyumov-Gerasimenko_European Space Agency

Why are asteroids and comets such weird shapes?

By JoAnna Wendel published 7 March 22

Small bodies like asteroids and comets are shaped more by their geological makeup than by gravity, which molds planets and moons into spheres.

Jupiter is a gas giant, but it has rocky moons, including Ganymede (shown here), the largest moon in the solar system.

Are there any moons that are made of gas?

By Ashley Hamer published 6 March 22

There aren't any gaseous moons in the solar system, but here's what it would take for one to exist elsewhere.

What is the coldest city in the world?

By Joe Phelan published 5 March 22

The coldest city in the world is in Siberia. Here's why it's so cold there.

How has Magic Johnson survived with HIV?

By Adam Hadhazy, Jonathan Gordon published 4 March 22

Reference Magic Johnson continues to live with HIV and is an example of how new treatments are improving people's standard of life with the disease.

Black and white cat hiding in a box_ALFSnaiper via Getty Images

Why do cats love boxes so much?

By John Arnst published 28 February 22

It's an instinctual behavior for cats to seek out confined spaces, such as boxes, bags and baskets — Live Science explains why.

Feet of male hiker inside tent with mosquitoes waiting on mesh doorway, Staloluokta, Padjelantaleden trail, Lappland, Sweden_ Cavan Images via Getty Images

Should we kill every mosquito on Earth?

By Joe Phelan published 27 February 22

Not every mosquito species carries viruses that are deadly to humans, so should we kill all or just some mosquitoes?

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
View Archive