Physicists of today still build on Albert Einstein’s now century-old theory of general relativity. Learn about the genius of Einstein’s math.
Author Archives: Mikki Gibson
11 crazy facts about getting struck by lightning (and how to avoid it)
You might be surprised to learn that being struck by lightning is more often a matter of life than of death. Learn some amazing facts and survival strategies.
Tardigrades—the microscopic, oddly cute toughest animals on Earth—explained
Tardigrades are tiny creatures that live everywhere on Earth, from the underside of a rock next to your school to the Antarctic ice. They can even survive in space! Learn about the amazing, indestructible “water bear.”
Rising seas threaten to drown important mangrove forests, unless we intervene
Global climate change is resulting in rising sea levels, which could in turn speed up the change by depriving the planet of a crucial carbon sink.
Hurricane Katrina: Facts, Damage, and Aftermath
Learn about the powerful impact of Hurricane Katrina, from how it formed to how it changed our approach to disaster preparation.
A Ride Home from Prison
The day a long-time prisoner is released can present overwhelming challenges. Watch this short documentary to learn how one former prisoner is working to make the transition to freedom smoother for others.
We’re More Alike Than Different
One in every 700 children born in the U.S. will have the chromosomal variation that causes Down Syndrome. People with Down Syndrome face challenges, but being part of the community shouldn’t be one.
Why we can never recover from first love
First love is exciting, which is why it’s so unforgettable even if it ends badly. Read about how the memory of a first love can cause problems in future relationships.
Tales of the Super Survivors
Opinion columnist David Brooks examines the key qualities of people who have survived traumatic events while retaining a positive outlook.
National Parks: Ken Burns on why they were America’s best idea
The National Park Service celebrates its centennial in 2016. An award-winning documentary filmmaker explains why our national parks matter more now than ever.
A finish line proposal was ‘perfect’ for this Boston Marathon bombing survivor
In 2013, a terrorist attack at the finish line of the Boston Marathon changed hundreds of lives in an instant. Learn about one survivor’s happy return to the bombing site.
How the Arab Spring Became the Arab Cataclysm
The events of the Arab Spring promised a birth of liberty in North African and Middle Eastern nations. Why did it instead lead to worse conditions than those that inspired the protests in the first place?
Toil and Trouble: The Curse of Macbeth
Actors have long avoided saying the title of Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy inside theaters in fear of the famed “curse of Macbeth.” What’s the evidence for such a curse, though?
Have Egyptologists found Nefertiti’s long-lost tomb?
It’s all in knowing where and how to look: The long search for the tomb of a legendary Egyptian queen may be nearing its end.
Here’s Why Childhood Friendships End, According to Science
Do you have fond memories of your best friend in elementary school, yet barely acknowledge each other when you pass in the hall of your high school? If so, you’re far from alone.
Hawking backs interstellar travel project
In April, physicist Stephen Hawking and a Russian billionaire announced plans for mankind’s furthest-ever exploration.
Gypsies, Roma, Travellers: An Animated History
The Roma people, sometimes called gypsies, are scattered across the globe but tied together by both shared heritage and the shared experience of prejudice.
Two seniors reconnect after 50 years, getting married today
Sometimes overcoming family objections to the one you love takes LOTS of patience—in this case, half a century’s worth.
McKinley vs. Denali: Who Decides Names on a Map?
For a century, the tallest mountain in North America was officially known by the name of the 25th U. S. President. In 2015, the official designation reverted to what most Alaskans already called it.
Ada Lovelace, the First Tech Visionary
Nearly two centuries ago, the daughter of the poet Byron pursued a very different line of interest, one that has led to her being called the world’s first computer programmer.