Latest articles by Marilyn Perkins
What are mRNA vaccines, and how do they work?
mRNA vaccines train the immune system in a similar way to traditional vaccines, but they use a different strategy to get there.
Bears: Facts about the furry omnivores that live in many parts of the world
Discover interesting facts about the different types of bears and learn why not all bears hibernate.
How much of your brain do you need to survive?
Case reports of people with atypical brains reveal the human brain's staggering ability to adapt to damage.
The history of cat domestication
Discover the history of our feline friends, and learn about the debate over whether cats are really "domesticated" at all.
Cats: Facts about our feline friends
Discover interesting facts about cat intelligence, how they see the world, and why we keep them around.
Can animals understand human language?
There are many famous examples of animals who seem to understand human language. But is there any real science behind them?
Elephant quiz: Test your smarts on the world's largest land animal
Quiz Elephants have good memories, but what about you? Take this quiz to find out how much you know about elephants.
Earth: Facts about the Blue Planet
Discover interesting facts about how Earth formed, what it's made of and more.
Is it too late to get a flu shot?
Is it ever too late in the season to get a flu shot? Here's what experts have to say.
What are cancer vaccines?
Cancer vaccines harness the power of the immune system to stop tumors in their tracks. They work a little differently than regular vaccines intended to prevent infectious diseases, like measles or the flu.
Why do cats have 'toe beans'?
The round little pads on cats' paws are more than just cute — they're a feat of evolution that serve many important functions.
Elephants: Facts about Earth's largest living land animals
Discover interesting facts about elephants, the highly intelligent and social animals that roam Africa and Asia.
Can animals learn another species' 'language'?
Animals hear other species communicate around them every day. Do they understand what they're saying?
Do other animals kiss?
Kissing is a multifaceted and emotionally loaded behavior. Do other animals do it, too?
What is aphantasia?
A small percentage of the population has aphantasia, meaning they're unable to visualize using their mind's eye. Learn about this condition and the neuroscience behind it.
Orcas: Facts about killer whales
Discover interesting facts about orcas, the deadly and beautiful predators that lurk in every ocean.
Sharks: Facts about some of the ocean's top predators
Discover interesting facts about where sharks live, how big they can get, and how likely it is to get bitten by one.
The 10 deadliest cancers, and why there's no cure
The deadliest cancers aren't necessarily the ones that kill the most people overall; they're the ones with the lowest survival rates.
Why do we add fluoride to drinking water, and is it safe?
Fluoride is added to tap water in many countries around the world. But why?
Are cats and dogs smarter than babies?
It's possible to compare some aspects of animal and human intelligence, but not all researchers like to.
How does E. coli get into food?
Dangerous strains of E. coli bacteria can infiltrate the food supply through many different routes, experts explain.
Could monkeys really type the complete works of Shakespeare?
The infinite monkey theorem is a fun thought experiment, but does it actually apply to our finite world?
Who invented the car? The history of the automobile
Reference Discover the complex history of the automobile, from early self-propelled vehicles to Karl Benz's invention of the first modern car, and explore the key innovators who shaped the cars we drive today.
