How Alex Haley Popularized Ancestral Searching
Today it's easy to have DNA tested. But before that technology was available, Alex Haley's Roots inspired generations to trace their families' histories.
How a Beloved Musical Became a Cold War Weapon
The 1962 film The Music Man was seen as so all-American that some hoped it would help win the Cold War by transmitting American values abroad.
Will Fish Lose Their Sense of Smell in Acidic Oceans?
Increasing levels of dissolved CO2 disrupt fish’s olfactory skills, study finds.
Being a Victorian Librarian Was Oh-So-Dangerous
In the late 19th century, more women were becoming librarians. Experts like Melvil Dewey predicted they would suffer ill health, strain, and breakdowns.
History’s Most Notorious True Crime Story
How New York City's tabloids sensationalized the murder case that inspired the classic film noir Double Indemnity.
The Science Behind Decompression Sickness
Deep-sea divers now know how to avoid "the bends." But decompression still poses a problem when studying marine organisms from the deep.
What’s Video Game Addiction and What’s Just Leisure?
Just because people enjoy a recreational activity doesn't mean they're addicted to it, even if they spend lots of time doing it.
The Mysterious Neutrino
A new discovery puts scientists a bit closer to understanding the mysterious subatomic particle that is the neutrino.
The Real First Written Constitution
American often gets credit for having the first written constitution. But the constitution of the short-lived republic of Corsica preceded it by 30+ years.
How Storytelling Heals
Illness can challenge the notion of the self and disrupt patients' narratives about their own lives. Some scholars suggest that storytelling can help.