Why do people and animals need to breathe? A biologist explains why you need a constant source of oxygen

Inhaling air is how you get the oxygen your body needs to turn your food into energy. Other living things use different strategies.

Christina S. Baer, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
Feb. 5, 2024 ~6 min

Why do people have different tastes in music? A music education expert explains why some songs are universally liked, while others aren't

Lots of factors can influence your music taste, from your age and where you’re from to the personality traits you have.

Jane Kuehne, Associate Professor of Music Education, Auburn University • conversation
Jan. 22, 2024 ~8 min


What if every germ hit you at the exact same time? An immunologist explains

Your immune system is often able to fend off pathogens it’s never seen before. But defending your body against all of them all at once is a tough challenge.

Joseph Larkin III, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida • conversation
Jan. 15, 2024 ~8 min

What happens to the ocean if we take out all the fish? A marine ecologist explains the complex roles fish play in their ecosystem

There are so many fish in the ocean that if you took them out, important habitats and food sources for many creatures would be lost.

Kory Evans, Assistant Professor of BioSciences, Rice University • conversation
Jan. 8, 2024 ~6 min

Why are some black holes bigger than others? An astronomer explains how these celestial vacuums grow

Pictures of black holes have a white outline around them when photographed, due to one of black holes’ unique and key features.

Jaclyn Champagne, JASPER Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Arizona • conversation
Dec. 18, 2023 ~6 min

Why do people have wisdom teeth?

Two dental experts explain that these furthest-back molars may be a not-so-necessary leftover from early human evolution.

Seth M. Weinberg, Professor of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Dec. 11, 2023 ~6 min

Why isn't there any sound in space? An astronomer explains why in space no one can hear you scream

Sound needs matter to propagate, so the vast vacuum of space is not just empty − it’s silent.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
Dec. 4, 2023 ~7 min

Why are bullies so mean? A youth psychology expert explains what's behind their harmful behavior

No matter your age, if you’re being bullied − there’s help out there.

Sara Goldstein, Professor of Human Development, University of Delaware • conversation
Nov. 27, 2023 ~6 min


How do crystals form?

There are a lot of myths about crystals − for example, that they are magical rocks with healing powers. An earth scientist explains some of their amazing true science.

Natalie Bursztyn, Lecturer in Geosciences, University of Montana • conversation
Nov. 20, 2023 ~7 min

Is time travel even possible? An astrophysicist explains the science behind the science fiction

Scientists are trying to figure out if time travel is even theoretically possible. If it is, it looks like it would take a whole lot more knowledge and resources than humans have now to do it.

Adi Foord, Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
Nov. 13, 2023 ~7 min

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