Marilyn Perkins

Marilyn Perkins

Content Manager

Marilyn Perkins is a science writer and illustrator based in Los Angeles, California. She received her master’s degree in science writing from Johns Hopkins and her bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Pomona College. Her work has been featured in publications including New Scientist, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health magazine and Penn Today, and she was the recipient of the 2024 National Association of Science Writers Excellence in Institutional Writing Award, short-form category.

Articles by: Marilyn Perkins

Illustration of Earth when the supercontinent Pangaea existed

Pangaea: Discover facts about Earth's ancient supercontinent

By Laura Geggel, Tia Ghose last updated

Pangaea is Earth's most recent supercontinent, which existed 320 million to 195 million years ago.

A microscope image showing strangely shaped cells stained in pink

Can viruses cause cancer?

By Marilyn Perkins published

The far-reaching impact of certain viruses on the body can make cells grow out of control, causing cancer.

How to turn off Chrome notifications for LiveScience.

How to turn off web notifications for Google Chrome and macOS

By Jeanna Bryner last updated

Here's a handy guide on how to turn off web notifications for Google Chrome and macOS.

A woman lays on the couch with a blanket over her head

Why do hangovers get worse with age?

By Marilyn Perkins published

Scientists haven't actually confirmed a link between age and hangover severity, but there are some reasons why older people might feel worse after a night of drinking than young folks would.

A close-up of a gilded astronomical clock on a clock tower that reads "Anno Domini" in the center

Keeping time: The history, origin and meanings of B.C. and A.D.

By Robert Coolman, Owen Jarus last updated

The use of "anno domini" and "before Christ" to mark time began in the early days of Christianity, when clerics needed to know when Easter would fall.

A woman sits on the couch under a blanket and blows her nose

How long is the flu contagious?

By Marilyn Perkins published

Many factors affect the infectious period of seasonal influenza, commonly called "the flu," but there are some good rules of thumb for when it's safe to return to work or school.

An image of a piece of lettuce on one fork and a piece of meat on the other. The pieces of food are manipulated to resemble the profiles of two faces.

Why does meat have more protein than vegetables?

By Marilyn Perkins published

The biological needs of plants and animals affect their cells' protein content, but the story goes deeper than that.

A computer monitor entirely covered in post-it notes

Why do we forget things we were just thinking about?

By Marilyn Perkins published

When the brain "juggles" information, things can fall through the cracks.

At an outdoor party, a woman whispers in the ear of her friend

Are people more honest when they're drunk?

By Marilyn Perkins published

Drinking can change the brain in a way that makes people more likely to speak their mind, but the effects aren't always straightforward.

A woman sits on a lounger on a sunny day and holds her head in pain

Why does heat cause headaches?

By Marilyn Perkins published

The trigger behind summertime headaches may not be heat itself, but all of the things that come along with it, an expert said.

A photograph of a headless statue in a museum

Why are so many Roman statues headless?

By Marilyn Perkins published

There are many reasons an ancient statue might accidentally lose its head — and some for its head to be severed on purpose.