Buzzle

Science

Science made clear — space, biology, chemistry, physics and earth science, explained so the ideas land without a degree in the subject.

Science is the rare human project that improves by proving itself wrong, and the running total of what survives is the most reliable picture of reality we have. This section translates that picture into plain language: space and cells, atoms and weather, the deep past of the planet and the strange rules that govern its smallest parts.

The coverage maps to the fields you half-remember from school, now explained the way you wished they had been. Astronomy and space articles cover planets, stars, black holes and the missions studying them, with the scales made graspable. Biology ranges from how cells work through genetics, evolution and the human body's remarkable systems. Chemistry explains the elements, reactions and materials behind everyday objects, and physics handles motion, energy, electricity and the quantum oddities, honestly labeled as odd. Earth science rounds it out with volcanoes, earthquakes, oceans, climate and weather, the forces that built the ground under you and decide what tomorrow feels like.

Many articles answer a single question a reader actually asked: why the sky is blue, how vaccines train immunity, what DNA testing really reveals, whether the five-second rule survives contact with a microscope. Others profile the scientists and experiments that changed the picture, including the wrong turns, because knowing how an idea was tested teaches more than the idea alone.

Two habits govern the writing. Analogies are used and then given their limits, since every analogy breaks somewhere. And confidence is graded honestly: settled results, live debates and open questions are labeled as what they are, because "scientists are still arguing about this" is a true and interesting sentence.

The featured guides above collect our deepest coverage of a topic, and the grid below runs newest first. Bring any question that starts with why or how; that is the entire admission fee.

Science

Spherical boulders with segmented surfaces sit on a sandy beach by the ocean

Interesting Facts About Moeraki Boulders

The Moeraki Boulders in New Zealand are wonderful specimens of nature’s oddities. These fascinating, huge spherical rocks have some really weird theories attached to them. Although they may look like alien eggs, the Moeraki Boulders are actually shaped by nature.

Person with backpack walking down railroad tracks into the distance

Why Do We Remember or Forget Our Dreams?

It’s quite common to be in the midst of an enthralling dream, only to have it end abruptly by the act of waking up. While the memory of the feeling remains, the memory of the actual dream, unfortunately, fades away. Why does this happen? Why do we remember certain dreams, while forgetting others? Let’s find out...

Illustration of the Mir Diamond Mine showing its massive open-pit excavation with mining equipment

Interesting Facts about the Mir Diamond Mine

The Mir diamond mine is one of the prestigious treasures of Russia, which has supplied huge amount of diamonds when it was active. Find out some interesting facts about this open-pit diamond mine.

Illustrated diamonds with geometric facets in teal and white on a golden background

Can Diamonds Be Melted or Dissolved?

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but they are certainly not forever. This article explains how, under the right conditions, it is quite possible to burn, melt, and even dissolve these beautiful gems.

Green leafy plants with visible vein patterns

Benefits of Polyploidy in Plants

Polyploidy offers several advantages to plants over the diploids, with wide implications in horticulture. This Buzzle article takes a look at them.

Illustrated infographic comparing a tigon with other big cats

Interesting Facts About Tigons

Tigons are an offspring of a male tiger and a lioness, and are almost the same size as that of their parents. This Buzzle write-up puts forth some more interesting facts about tigons.

Planets in elliptical orbits around a central sun with orbital reference grid

Johannes Kepler’s 3 Laws of Planetary Motion

If you think the orbit of any planet that moves around the Sun is a perfect circle, then you need to think again! The truth is that, the orbits of planets are ellipses, and on this basis, the three Laws of Planetary Motion are formulated by Johannes Kepler.

Buildings and bare trees beneath atmospheric layers showing a warm orange band suspended above

Causes and Effects of Temperature Inversion

The dynamics of the Earth’s atmosphere is a blessing to all of us. Part of this dynamism includes the process of temperature inversion. This Buzzle article informs you about the causes and effects of this process.

Bear, hedgehog, and fox in snow-covered forest with bare trees

Difference Between Hibernation and Other Types of Dormancy

Differentiating between hibernation and dormancy makes little sense, considering that hibernation is a type of dormancy. Logically, we should be pitching hibernation against other types of dormancy, such as aestivation, brumation, etc., which is the sole aim of this write-up.

Illustration of a dry lakebed where a car crosses sandy ground past beached boats and forest

Oregon Mystery: Why a Lake Disappears Every Year

Ever witnessed a huge water body vanishing into the Earth, leaving only a dry meadow? Such are the strange ways of Mother Nature, baffling us with her tricks. There exists a lake in Oregon in the United States, whose water disappears every year into a hole. Let’s find out more about this disappearing lake, through this Buzzle article.

People in business attire having a conversation

Why Do Women Apologize More Often Than Men?

Have you ever observed that women tend to say sorry for the stupidest thing ever? Yes, women do apologize more than men, and researchers have found out behavioral patterns that unlock the reason behind this psychology. This Buzzle article explores the reason why women apologize more than men.

Micelle Function, Structure, and Formation

Micelles function as emulsifiers, this property of micelles are used in the making a variety of cleaning products like detergents and micellar face washes. This Buzzle article gives you information on how micelles are formed, their structure, and function.

Function and Location of Substantia Nigra

Substantia nigra, located in the midbrain, is primarily involved in controlling muscle movement. Dopamine synthesized in this part of the brain helps control motor function. Read the following Buzzle article to know more about this small region of the brain.

An Overview of Dinosaur Species with Long Necks

Dinosaurs, the gigantic creatures that existed on Earth millions of years ago, have always fascinated us ever since we knew of their existence. This Buzzle article presents a brief outline of the various species of long-necked dinosaurs.

Arabian Desert Plants

Are there any plants that live in the Arabian desert? Any at all? Well... you will be surprised to know that there is some vegetation available there, although it is very limited. Let’s find out more about these Arabian desert plants.

Sunny backyard with lounge chairs and potted plants

Why are Days Longer in Summer?

Ever wondered why days are longer in summer and shorter in winter? Well, the tilted axis of the Earth is an important factor which determines the length of days. Here is more on the topic.

Houses and trees illustrated beside a winding blue river

What Causes Floods?

Water is important to sustain life. But what happens when there’s an overflow of water and it hampers life? You must be well acquainted with the phrase, ‘water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink’, well that’s exactly what a flood is all about.

Illustrated bright green leaves with pronounced vein patterns

How to Extract Chlorophyll

Ever wondered what color would a leaf be if not for the plush green color? The simple experiments listed here will help you extract the chlorophyll from the leaves, thus bringing out the real color of the leaves. Have fun trying out these experiments.

Stylized forest landscape with trees and a winding path through vegetation

Primary and Secondary Succession

The following write-up will throw some light on the differences between primary and secondary succession, in a bid to help you understand the broad concept that ecological succession is. Though less-known, the two are most important attributes of our ecosystem.

Dropper dispensing magnesium chloride solution into a bottle

Magnesium Chloride Uses

Magnesium chloride is a chemical compound made of magnesium and chlorine. This article highlights the various magnesium chloride uses. Read on to know more… Chemically, magnesium chloride is represented as MgCl 2. It is a naturally occurring mineral salt which is mostly obtained from sea water and brine. In its pure form, magnesium chloride can […]

Stylized forest with orange flames and smoke consuming trees on the left, green trees on the right

What causes Forest Fires

Forest fire refers to the uncontrolled fire that erupts in the wilderness. It can be caused by many factors like lightning, volcanic eruptions and also human actions. Learn more about forest fires and what causes them… Forest fire or wildfire is often used to signify an uncontrolled intense fire that breaks out in the wooded […]

Green van with passengers among other cars on a tree-lined street

Why is Carpooling Good for the Environment

Carpooling was one of the strategies that the US employed during several periods of crisis, including the gasoline ration during World War II, the oil crisis of 1973, and the energy crisis (or second oil crisis) of 1979. Carpooling greatly enabled the US to cope up with difficult times. Besides the history involved, commuters are […]

Tractor spreading fertilizer on a field

How Do Fertilizers Affect the Environment

Although fertilizers have enabled better growth and yield of plants and vegetation, have you ever considered about their harmful effects on the environment? This article on how do fertilizers affect the environment and in turn us, will throw some light on how these chemicals are affecting our lives and the planet. “ The more we […]

Silkworms with orange and black striped bodies on green leaves

Silkworms: Facts About Silkworms

Silk, one of the most exotic fabrics is created by silkworms. This article is a compilation of some interesting silkworm facts. Read and know all about the only economically important worms! Silkworms also known as domesticated silk moth and Bombyx Mori (‘Silkworm of the Mulberry Tree’ in Latin), is the insect from which silk is […]

Anatomical illustrations of organs with detailed branching internal structures in gold

Organs of the Digestive System

All the organs of the digestive system play a very important role in providing the human body with the nourishment that it needs, in order to keep the bodily functions running. To get information about the organs of the digestive system and their functions, read on… The organs of the human digestive system execute the […]

Factory smokestacks and a car emitting pollution into the air, water, and soil

Three Major Types of Environmental Pollution

The information pertaining to the three major types of environmental pollution are dealt with in this article. Beginners should find the information useful for studying the different forms of pollution. When we talk about the Earth’s environment, we generally refer to the atmosphere (air), lithosphere (soil/rock) and hydrosphere (water) – which happen to be the […]

Industrial complex with smoking chimneys, power lines, wind turbines, and vehicles

Environmental Pollution Effects

The environment pollution effects enlisted in this article allow in understanding the gravity of this problem. Our environment is polluted by means of different media like air, water and soil. Facts pertaining to these different types of pollution are presented below. Pollution of the environment we live in, is one of the biggest problems we […]

Silhouetted head with internal symbols of therapy, thought, and clinical assessment

Types of Psychology

Psychology is the discipline that studies mental behavior and reactions, scientifically. It incorporates symbolic interpretations for the analysis of social conduct. There are many types of psychology such as Cognitive Psychology, Abnormal Psychology… Human behavior has intrigued psychologists for years. The phenomena of perception, personality, cognition, behavior, reaction and emotion not only display immense diversity […]

Factory smokestacks and tree beside world map with orange heat

What is the Difference Between Global Dimming and Global Warming

There are two deadly phenomenons that have great effects on our earth. They are global warming and global dimming. Let us know about these phenomenons and the difference between them, in this article. Global warming and global dimming are two big issues that have drawn attention in the recent years. Due to industrial revolution, increase […]

Eye with golden-amber iris, black pupil, and dark eyelashes

Eye Color Percentages

One is often curious to know about eye color percentages in world. This is because people are born with different eye colors and some eye colors are truly unique. Let us have a look at percentages of eye color by going through interesting content in article below. Eye Color Percentages.

Line drawing of houses and power lines beneath dark, swirling clouds

Worst Natural Disasters

Natural disasters not only affect people of area they destroy, but indirectly also affect mankind on whole. We are going to have a look at worst natural disasters ever to befall our planet Earth, and some important facts related to them... Worst Natural Disasters.

Blue fuel cell tank connected by pipes to control panel and energy output system

Fuel Cells Pros and Cons

A fuel cell generates electric current through a source fuel. So let’s dig into fuel cells: pros and cons. Keep reading to also know its uses in industrial applications. Fuel Cells Pros and Cons.

Dark rain falling on green vegetation and factory smokestacks in a polluted landscape

Acid Rain Facts

Need to know more about acid rain facts? Then this article will give you all information that you need about this rain. Read on for more information... Acid Rain Facts.

Earthquake epicenter releasing seismic waves, with damaged building and seismic monitoring station

Richter Scale vs Mercalli Scale

The Richter scale and Mercalli scale are based on two different methods of measuring seismic activity. This article presents Richter scale vs Mercalli scale comparison that will give you an insight into usage of these measurement methods. Richter Scale vs Mercalli Scale.

Forest landscape with cabin surrounded by trees in fall and winter colors

Deforestation Statistics

Given below is a compilation of deforestation statistics which gives a grim picture of forest cover of various regions of world. Continue reading, to know more about deforestation and alarming rate at which it is occurring. Deforestation Statistics.

Metal electrical transmission towers with power lines strung between them

Why are Metals Good Conductors of Electricity

The highlight of this article is why are metals good conductors of electricity and heat. Here, we have explained characteristics of metals which make them a conductive substance. Why are Metals Good Conductors of Electricity.

Diverse scientists work at a lab bench with microscopes and laboratory equipment

Types of Scientists

There are different types of scientists who are experts in their chosen field of science. The following article will cover some information of types of scientists and what they do. This information will help you decide on a scientific career path. Types of Scientists.

Moose in snowy tundra with bare and coniferous trees

Symbiotic Relationships in the Tundra

There are many different symbiotic relationships in tundra. These various symbiotic relationships in tundra include mutualism, commensalism and parasitism. Read on to know more... Symbiotic Relationships in Tundra.