Kim Ann Zimmermann
Kim Ann Zimmermann is a contributor to Live Science and sister site Space.com, writing mainly evergreen reference articles that provide background on myriad scientific topics, from astronauts to climate, and from culture to medicine. Her work can also be found in Business News Daily and KM World. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Glassboro State College (now known as Rowan University) in New Jersey.
Latest articles by Kim Ann Zimmermann

What is pareidolia?
By Tia Ghose last updated
Pareidolia is the phenomenon in which people see faces or other patterns in ambiguous images, such as Jesus on toast or the man in the moon.

"The birds and the bees": Meaning and origin of the phrase
By Kim Ann Zimmermann last updated
Reference "The birds and the bees" is a story parents tell their children to deflect the question "Where do babies come from?" The phrase refers to the talk about sex.

10 common skin conditions
By Anna Gora published
Here's a countdown of 10 common skin conditions, some benign and others life-threatening.

Skin: Facts about the body's largest organ and its functions
By Anna Gora published
The skin is the body's largest organ and performs many vital functions.

What is normal blood pressure?
By Anna Gora, Bahar Gholipour last updated
Here's what doctors consider a "normal," elevated or high blood pressure, and how to measure your BP at home.

The nervous system: Facts, function and diseases
By James Horton last updated
Reference The network of nerves is the body's electrical wiring.

Social anxiety disorder: Causes, symptoms and treatment
By Kim Ann Zimmermann last updated
Social anxiety disorder causes significant discomfort about social interactions.

Panic disorder: Causes & symptoms of panic attacks
By Kim Ann Zimmermann last updated
REFERENCE Panic disorder is marked by sudden episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks, that can trigger physical symptoms.

Generalized anxiety disorder: Causes, symptoms & treatment
By Kim Ann Zimmermann published
People with generalized anxiety disorder experience constant feelings of anxiety that affect their everyday life.

American culture: Traditions and customs of the United States
By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Callum McKelvie published
Reference Nearly every region of the world has influenced the customs and traditions of the United States.

Immune System: Diseases, Disorders & Function
By Kim Ann Zimmermann last updated
The job of the immune system is to protect against disease.

The lymphatic system: Facts, functions & diseases
By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Scott Dutfield last updated
Reference The lymphatic system helps rid the body of toxins. Diseases of this system include lymphadenopathy, lymphoma and other disorders.

Reproductive System: Facts, Functions & Diseases
By Kim Ann Zimmermann last updated
This may be the most important system in the body. Without the ability to reproduce, a species dies.

The Circulatory System: An Amazing Circuit That Keeps Our Bodies Going
By Kim Ann Zimmermann last updated
The heart, lungs and about 60,000 miles of blood vessels work together to keep blood pumping through our bodies.

Chinese Culture: Customs & Traditions of China
By Kim Ann Zimmermann last updated
Chinese culture reflects the customs and traditions of one of the largest countries in the world, with 1.34 billion people.

Italian Culture: Facts, customs & traditions
By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Jonathan Gordon last updated
REFERENCE Italian culture goes back to the ancient, had a massive impact on the Renaissance and is represented in the world today by its art, fashion and popular food.

Internet history timeline: ARPANET to the World Wide Web
By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Jesse Emspak published
Reference Al Gore didn't invent the Internet. Vinton Cerf & Bob Kahn are often called Fathers of the Internet.

Pleistocene epoch: The last ice age
By Patrick Pester, Kim Ann Zimmermann published
The Pleistocene epoch lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago and included the last ice age, when glaciers and giant megafauna dominated the landscape.

Indian culture: Customs and traditions
By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Jonathan Gordon published
Reference India is one of the world's oldest and most diverse cultures. Here is an overview of Indian customs and traditions.

Mexican culture: Customs and traditions
By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Jonathan Gordon published
Reference Mexican culture varies widely throughout the country, but traditions are highly valued as is its long and storied history.

French culture: Customs & traditions
By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Jonathan Gordon published
Reference Discover the world of French culture, the customs and traditions of France, as well as how it became a center of fashion, art and architecture.

What does the endocrine system do?
By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Sarah Wild published
Facts and information about the endocrine system.

Respiratory system: Facts, function and diseases
By Kim Ann Zimmermann published
The respiratory system is responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. The main organs are the lungs, which work in concert with the cardiovascular system.
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