Joe Phelan

Joe Phelan

Live Science Contributor

Joe Phelan is a journalist based in London. His work has appeared in VICE, National Geographic, World Soccer and The Blizzard, and has been a guest on Times Radio. He is drawn to the weird, wonderful and under examined, as well as anything related to life in the Arctic Circle. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Chester. 

Articles by: Joe Phelan

Digital illustration of the solar system. rbkomar via Getty Images

What is the coldest place in the solar system?

By Joe Phelan last updated

What is the solar system's coldest spot and how does the coldest place on Earth compare?

two people walking along a snow-covered street with frozen trees and icy fog surrounding them

What is the coldest city in the world?

By Joe Phelan last updated

The coldest city in the world is in Siberia, where temperatures plummet to minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Here's why it's so cold there.

Child with curly brown hair sits at a table with a pencil and looks at a smart speaker on the table, as if to ask it a question

Many kids are unsure if Alexa and Siri have feelings or think like people, study finds

By Joe Phelan published

A small study in Scotland suggests many kids overestimate the agency and intellect of AI assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.

Military drone with a bomb at sunset. Attack drone in military conflicts.

DARPA is funding AI to help make battlefield decisions

By Joe Phelan published

The U.S. military research agency DARPA is spending millions to develop artificial intelligence that can help make strategic battlefield decisions.

Mother teaching her son to drive a bike.

How accurate are our first childhood memories?

By Joe Phelan published

Can we trust our earliest memories, or are they unreliable?

Close-up of young man singing karaoke while enjoying with friends in party.

Are some people actually tone deaf?

By Joe Phelan published

Tone deafness, a neurological disorder known as amusia, can make it hard to distinguish between musical pitches.

image of a middle age man consulting a doctor

Vasectomy: Procedure, risks and reversal

By Anna Gora published

Half a million men in the United States undergo a vasectomy every year. But how does this procedure work?

Mother and daughter (7 years) doing homework at table.

Why are kids such fast learners?

By Joe Phelan published

Most young children can easily pick up languages and learn immense amounts of knowledge in their early years. How do they pull this off?

Old telephone made of copper

Who invented the telephone?

By Joe Phelan published

Did Alexander Graham Bell really invent the telephone, or did he steal someone else's thunder?

image depicts a stressed asian couple looking at pieces of paper and a laptop

Can you 'catch' stress from other people?

By Joe Phelan published

Stress can be contagious, according to research. But there may be ways to prevent it.

Illustration of amyloid plaques amongst neurons and neurofibrillary tangles inside neurons.

Alzheimer's disease: Brain changes, symptoms and treatment

By Cari Nierenberg, Joe Phelan last updated

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia that causes memory and thinking problems, as well as behavioral changes, in adults.

Missile system on the background of sunset sky.

What stops nuclear weapons from accidentally detonating?

By Joe Phelan published

There are a few strategies for keeping nuclear weapons from accidentally detonating, including where and how the nuclear components are stored.

Shot of a young female doctor looking tired while working in a busy hospital

What is burnout?

By Joe Phelan published

Burnout is an “occupational phenomenon” that can occur when a person experiences long-term stress at work.

carer holding a patient's hand

Parkinson's disease: Risks, symptoms and treatment

By Cari Nierenberg, Joe Phelan last updated

Around 500,000 Americans are currently diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease.

Yellowstone National Park

Is the Yellowstone supervolcano really 'due' for an eruption?

By Joe Phelan published

Yellowstone's supervolcano last erupted 70,000 years ago. Will it erupt again anytime soon?

woman heading out for an early morning run

Does short sleeper syndrome really exist?

By Joe Phelan published

REFERENCE Some people, from Barack Obama to Elon Musk, claim to sleep for very few hours each night.

woman walking in a snowy field

What is Blue Monday and is it really the most depressing day of the year?

By Joe Phelan published

REFERENCE The third Monday in January has been coined "Blue Monday" and is suggested to be the saddest day of the year.

mother and daughter sat on the stairs hugging

How does grief affect the brain?

By Joe Phelan published

Grief can trigger a number of cognitive, behavioral and physiological changes.

Young Asian woman tasting a dish of pasta she prepared while serving food on the table at home.

Why do we crave comfort food?

By Joe Phelan published

Many of us seek solace in comfort foods during times of stress. But what makes them so appealing?

woman taking a nap with her cat

Is napping good for you? We ask the experts

By Joe Phelan published

Is a daytime snooze something to be avoided or embraced?

Jason Elam wades through flood waters around his home after Hurricane Nicole blew ashore on Nov. 10, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Rising sea levels could swamp the US coastline by 2050, NASA predicts

By Joe Phelan published

Sea levels are expected to rise around the contiguous U.S. faster than previously thought, a new NASA study finds.

Soldier in military uniform stands on the ruins.

Are humans inherently violent?

By Joe Phelan published

Human violence is in the news every day. But is violence innate in Homo sapiens?

Mount Everest

Is Mount Everest really the tallest mountain on Earth?

By Joe Phelan last updated

Other mountains could be considered Earth's tallest; it just depends how you measure them.

A group of friends celebrating on a rooftop, with confetti in the air

Are humans limited to 150 friends?

By Joe Phelan published

"Dunbar's number" implies that our relationship threshold is limited to 150 people. But is this true?

A woman of color sleeps peacefully on her bed.

What happens in your brain while you sleep?

By Joe Phelan last updated

Our brains don't get a break while we sleep. What happens to this major organ while we snooze?