
Elizabeth Peterson
Elizabeth is a former Live Science associate editor and current director of audience development at the Chamber of Commerce. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from George Washington University. Elizabeth has traveled throughout the Americas, studying political systems and indigenous cultures and teaching English to students of all ages.
Latest articles by Elizabeth Peterson

Stroke: Symptoms, tests and treatment
By Elizabeth Peterson last updated
Stroke is the second leading cause of disability and death worldwide, and occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is disrupted.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: Causes, symptoms and treatment
By Anna Gora, Elizabeth Peterson last updated
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex, multisystem disease that can often go undiagnosed.

What is normal blood sugar?
By Natalie Grover, Elizabeth Peterson last updated
Blood sugar, or glucose, is the main source of fuel for our body - keeping it in check is essential to our health.

Who invented the lightbulb?
By Elizabeth Peterson, Callum McKelvie published
Reference Though Thomas Edison is credited as the man who invented the lightbulb, several inventors paved the way for him.

Why Does Rain Smell Good?
By Elizabeth Peterson last updated
There's a reason we love the scent after a good rain.

What is reiki and does it work?
By Elizabeth Peterson last updated
Reiki is a therapy often described as palm healing or hands-on-body healing in which a practitioner places hands lightly on or over a patient's body to treat or cure various ailments.

Who invented the bicycle?
By Elizabeth Peterson published
Reference The bicycle has a complicated past fraught with controversy and misinformation.

Crystal healing: Stone-cold facts about gemstone treatments
By Elizabeth Peterson, Jonathan Gordon published
Reference Crystal healing is an alternative medicine technique that employs crystals and other stones as conduits for natural healing energy.

Eiffel Tower: Information & Facts
By Elizabeth Peterson published
The iconic Parisian landmark has loomed over the city since 1889.

Niels Bohr: Biography & Atomic Theory
By Elizabeth Peterson published
Niels Bohr won a Nobel Prize for the idea that an atom is a small, positively charged nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons. He also contributed to quantum theory.

Head Lice: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
By Elizabeth Peterson published
It may take more than a month for symptoms of head lice to show.

What is Acupuncture?
By Elizabeth Peterson published
Treatment with acupuncture needles does work to alleviate pain and nausea, studies show.

Spider bites and bee stings: Symptoms and treatments
By Elizabeth Peterson published
Most bug bites and stings are usually just uncomfortable. However, some people are allergic to the venom of certain insects or spiders and can have severe, even life-threatening reactions.

Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
By Elizabeth Peterson published
Diarrhea is one of the most commonly reported ailments in the United States. It can be caused by parasites, viruses or bacteria.

What Do Women Want in a Penis? The Whole Package
By Elizabeth Peterson published
What makes a penis attractive? Not sure? Well, don't rely on your opinion to answer that question — science has the answer.

Can a Pill Increase a Woman's Libido? 5 Things That Affect Female Sex Drive
By Elizabeth Peterson published
Ladies with low libido could soon get their own version of the "little blue pill," but this cure for what ails a woman's mojo might not work.

Black Widows' Bad Rap: 4 Misconceptions About the Spider
By Elizabeth Peterson published
Countdown One woman's snack break turned sour this week when she reached into a bag of grapes and felt the bite of a venomous black widow spider. But black widows aren't as horrifying as you might think.

How Do Batteries Work?
By Elizabeth Peterson published
Batteries power everything from your smartphone to your car, but do you know how they work?

Best Smart Scale: Fitbit Aria vs. Withings Body Analyzer
By Elizabeth Peterson published
review After testing nine smart scales, we recommend the Withings Smart Body Analyzer over the popular Fitbit Aria. Read our full review here.

Does Magnetic Therapy Work?
By Elizabeth Peterson published
Studies have shown that devices such as magnetic bracelets have no more benefit than devices without magnets, in essence demonstrating the placebo effect magnets have on their users.

Hantavirus: Symptoms & Treatment of Infection
By Elizabeth Peterson published
The symptoms of hantavirus infection plus causes, treatments and other facts.
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