Life's Little Mysteries

Life's Little Mysteries answers fascinating questions about the world around you and the stuff in it, from things in the news and on your mind to crazy questions you didn't even know you had.

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Moist. Probe. Crevice: Why Do We Hate Certain Words?

August 23, 2016 | Article

Here's why some words make people so uncomfortable.
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Are Black Holes Really Black?

August 22, 2016 | Article

A black hole simulated in a lab points toward "no."
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How Do Green Screens Work?

August 18, 2016 | Article

Green screens' brightness and vivid color allows technicians to replace parts of film and TV images with anything from animated weather maps to the icy Wall guarded by Castle Black.
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Does Sugar Make Kids Hyper?

August 15, 2016 | Article

If a child eats cotton candy, a chocolate bar or any other kind of sugary treat, will a hyperactive frenzy follow? While some parents may swear that the answer is "yes," research shows that it's just not true.
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How Does Latte Art Work?

August 09, 2016 | Article

This is how they make those designs on top of a cappuccino.
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Why Are Gymnasts So Flexible?

August 04, 2016 | Article

Gymnasts can do handsprings, splits and triple twists while airborne — extraordinary feats of flexibility and strength that make their sport one of the most popular during the Summer Olympics. But how are these athletes so incredibly flexible?
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How Did the Pentagon Building Get Its Shape?

August 03, 2016 | Article

How did the Pentagon get its name? Well, that's a no-brainer. But how did the Department of Defense headquarters get its shape? That's a longer story.
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What's the Fastest Language to Type In?

August 01, 2016 | Article

This is a more nuanced question than one might think. Do you have any guesses as to which language someone could tap into a mobile device the fastest?
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What Makes Yellowstone's Hot Springs So Colorful?

August 01, 2016 | Article

The iconic image of Yellowstone is an expansive spring with rainbow-like colors radiating from its center, dominated by a fiery orange hue at its edges. Here's what's causing those "made for picture books" color-scapes.
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How Did Dinosaurs Communicate?

July 27, 2016 | Article

Dinosaurs didn't have email or text messages to keep in touch, but scientists are quite certain the beasts engaged in dialogue. Those communications likely included hoots and hollers, cracking sounds, dance and song, and even symbolic love calls.
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