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Jun. 05, 2015

What Role Does the Sun Play in Vitamin D Synthesis?

by Michele Berger

The sun kickstarts a process that converts a vitamin D precursor into the active form your body needs.

Feb. 27, 2015

Why Do I See This Dress as Blue and Black, While Others See It As White and Gold?

by Julie Leibach

A combination of color and white balance, exposure, and computer displays likely play a role, as well as our own physical perception.

Oct. 02, 2014

Is MSG Bad for Your Health?

by Chau Tu

Monosodium glutamate has gotten a bad rap for causing allergies, but is it justified?

msg, monosodium glutamate, health, food additive, umami

May. 28, 2014

Why Do Songs Get Stuck in Our Heads?

by Chau Tu

Why some tunes lodge in our brains isn’t so clear. Here are a few theories.

earworms, music, repetitive listening, song stuck in our heads

Mar. 17, 2014

What's the Cosmic Microwave Background?

by Julie Leibach

The universe's oldest light is one of the great pieces of evidence for the Big Bang.

cmb, cosmic inflation

Sep. 11, 2013

What’s the Best Way to Dispose of Pet Poop?

by Susan Cosier

Prevent disease by tossing feces in the trash.

oocysts, trends in parasitology, hookworm, roundworm, zoonotic hookworm, zoonotic roundworm, dogs, cats, poop, poo, doody, smelly, stinky, cleaning up after pet, CDC, disesae, toxoplasmosis, t. gondii, cutaneous larva migraines

Jul. 01, 2013

Is Revenge Really Sweet?

by Susan Cosier

The emotions related to vengeance are a mixed bag.

revenge, mike mccullough, eddie harmon-jones, bittersweet, sweet revenge

Jun. 10, 2013

Why Do We Remember Faces but Not Names?

by Adam Hadhazy

You see a familiar face but space out on the name. Don't beat yourself up. It's only natural.

face, forgetfulness, E. Clea Warburton, university of bristol, Richard Russell, Gettysburg college, fusiform face area, names

May. 10, 2013

Are We Alone in the Universe?

by Joel N. Shurkin

It seems incredible that Earthlings could be the first technological society. So where is everyone?

SETI, chris impey, extraterrestrials, space, universe, aliens, UFOs

Apr. 16, 2013

Why Do I Get Nostalgic?

by Julie Leibach

That bittersweet longing for the past can have an important impact on the present.

Clay Routledge, social psychologist, North Dakota State University, nostalgia, psychological threat, terror management theory, meaningfulness, Jurassic Park, anxiety, psychiatric disorder