Why might someone whose grandfather mined coal be afraid to go underground? It’s no coincidence.
Author Archives: Mikki Gibson
Cyclops Myth Spurred by “One-Eyed” Fossils?
Greek mythology is filled with impossible events and bizarre creatures, but where did the idea of a one-eyed giant come from? Archaeologists have a theory.
Can You Fix a Broken Heart by Writing About It?
Learn how certain kinds of writing can help after a romantic breakup.
Watch a Rescued Baby Wombat Bond with his Caretaker
Adorable baby animal videos are all over the Internet; find out the touching story behind one of them.
New Voting Restrictions in America
Explore the maps and links on this page to see how fair access to the ballot box is across the United States.
Christmas Truce of 1914
World War I is remembered as the first modern war, a devastating conflict that forced people to abandon sentimentality. But early in that conflict, an amazing thing happened: soldiers on opposing sides of battlefields across Europe spontaneously set down their weapons to celebrate Christmas together.
Mountains out of Molehills
Get a visual look at what has frightened Americans in the 21st century.
Teen sets record as youngest pilot to circle the globe
From an early age, South Dakota teenager Matt Guthmiller has been driven to fly. In 2014 he became the youngest person ever to fly solo around the world.
Brain Confidence: How Our Neurons Make Decisions
It might seem that careful thought about all of the options would drive our decision making. But researchers have found that confidence is a bigger driver.
How Animal Camouflage Works
If an animal isn’t as fast or strong as its predators, then it has to be smarter to avoid being eaten. Find out about one adaptation that helps some animals outsmart the enemy.
Why Myths Still Matter: Hercules and His 12 Healing Labors
Explore the plot and significance of a popular Greek myth.
Not Up for Debate—Southside student is national champion
Read about a national competition that is propelling one student toward a bright future on the strength of his dramatic interpretation.
Expect crocs and killers when paddling down the Congo River in a canoe
A few years ago a British adventurer completed the first solo canoe trip down the full length of Africa’s Congo River. Read about the challenges he faced.
Cancer Drug Proves to Be Effective Against Multiple Tumors
People sometimes talk about a cure for cancer as if it’s a nearly impossible goal. But this deadly disease takes many forms, and cures for some of those forms have already been developed.
Survival of the Friendliest
In this short video, Brian Hare explores the importance of friendliness in the animal and human worlds.
How the Stress of Disaster Brings People Together
Stress can put people’s nerves on edge, but it can also cause them to be kinder and more compassionate toward others.
Few Artifacts of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Still Exist. These Iron Blocks Help Tell That Gut-Wrenching Story
Divers examining a shipwreck off the southern coast of Africa recovered remnants that bring the human experience of slavery into sharp focus.
The Pre-Viking Legend of Ragnarӧk
One of the best-known Norse myths about the end of the universe may have originated in a real-world ancient catastrophe.
What If: Britain and France Had Not Appeased Hitler in 1938?
One of the first demands made by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler was a small territory called the Sudetenland. The decision European leaders made in response to that demand led to World War II.
Are Pigs as Smart as Dogs, and Does It Really Matter?
An opinion columnist explores the idea of whether we should think about how smart the kinds of animals we eat might be.