Margaret Osborne

Margaret Osborne

Live Science Contributor

Margaret Osborne is a freelance science journalist, copy editor, writer and producer based in Utah. Her work has appeared in Smithsonian magazine, The Scientist and on WSHU Public Radio, among other outlets. She has a bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University in journalism and German language and literature. 

Articles by: Margaret Osborne

A photo of a man wearing netting surrounded by flies

Why are flies attracted to humans?

By Margaret Osborne published

Flies are attracted to our pungent "cloud of effervescence," experts say.

A man stands in the sun, squinting and blocking the sun with his hands

Can your eyes get sunburned?

By Margaret Osborne published

Photokeratitis, or eye sunburn, can happen at any time of the year.

An illustration of Viking ships attacking a city

Were the Vikings really that violent?

By Margaret Osborne published

The Vikings' reputation for bloodlust compared to other medieval fighters may have been exaggerated over the years.

A man in athletic apparel squeezes water into his mouth from a water bottle

Why does drinking water feel so good when you're thirsty?

By Margaret Osborne published

Drinking water triggers a variety of complex biochemical reactions that reward rehydration and help satiate our thirst.

A small chimpanzee holds the branches of a tree. the background is foliage.

32 of the world's smartest animals

By Margaret Osborne published

Though measuring animal intelligence is tricky, some animals show remarkable cognitive abilities that may rival our own.

A close-up of a piece of steak being cooked on the grill

What happens to meat as it's cooked?

By Margaret Osborne published

Heat triggers a series of complex chemical reactions that change the color, flavor and texture of meat.

A brown tabby cat sticks its paw into a door opening

Why do cats hate closed doors?

By Margaret Osborne published

Meowing, sticking their paw under the door or pawing at the door are just some of the strange things cats do around closed doors. But why?

hummingbird by flowers

If birds are dinosaurs, why aren't they cold-blooded?

By Margaret Osborne published

If dinosaurs were reptiles, then why aren't birds cold blooded?