HowStuffWorks Newsletter
Your body is pretty amazing. At any given point you have many biological processes going on -- circulatory, digestive, brain & central nervous systems and more. Learn about these body systems as well as the eye, ears, nose and throat.
Topics to Explore:
New research finds that nontoxic, antibacterial sugars found in human breast milk might be key to the next generation of antimicrobial drugs.
If you find yourself running to the bathroom the minute you get home, experts posit this is a case of mind over bladder.
By Alia Hoyt
Colorblindness affects around 300 million people worldwide. What is it and how can glasses help?
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Although we've often been told that dogs have a superior sense of smell to people, a new report says there's little difference.
By Alia Hoyt
Plenty of theories exist for why drinking an entire gallon of milk in one sitting is a challenge often undertaken, infrequently accomplished. Who's right?
Roller coasters: They're super fun, and they could help you pass a kidney stone without medical intervention. Who knew?
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From killer sausages to canceling crows' feet, botulinum toxin has come a long way. Botoxwurst, anyone?
Is this you? This is totally you. Why do some people burst into violent sneezing fits when they encounter bright sunlight? Check your genetics.
Careful with that chopping knife! If you lose a fingertip, it's probably gone forever. With kids, however, that's not always the case. Why is that?
Maybe if you look at it with only one eye -- in the dark.
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Opioids can make your insides skid to a slow crawl. That's a problem when you consider nearly 250 million opioid prescriptions were written in 2013 by CDC estimates.
You always wanted to eat electricity right? Now you can, and it might even provide a health benefit.
By Robert Lamb
And it's not because of all that screen time.
Selfish humans act in our own self interest, but when it comes to cotton buds and ears we do exactly what science says not to. And yes, your doctor can tell.
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We dig into the science and history of those delightful respiratory explosions we call sneezes, including one that's copyrighted.
Currently, all organs in the U.S. are donated. A report says paying $45,000 per kidney donation would end waiting lists and save taxpayer dollars.
By Dave Roos
Scientists discover that using a feed additive can decrease cow burps by 30 percent, vastly reducing greenhouse gas.
By Dave Roos
Does vocal fry signal the most annoying end of times? Or is it just part of a natural language progression?
By Oisin Curran
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Think your peepers are passé? Some cutting-edge cosmetic procedures can take your brown eyes to bright blue — with a few inherent risks.
Poetry is full of references to salty and bitter tears, but there's not much about bloody tears. Besides movie villains who weep blood, is this phenomenon real?
Tired of standing on tiptoes when you pose for a photo with friends? If you're an adult looking to add a few inches to your frame, you might be out of luck.
In some settings, you just can't heave a giant sneeze. If you hold back during a meeting or date, you're exhibiting decorum. Could you also be making a death wish?
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It's hard to imagine being thankful for mucus when you've got a nose full of it, but if it all went away you'd really be in trouble.
Smelling fecal matter is gross enough, so the possibility that tiny bits of poop are actually getting into your nose is outright disgusting. But should you be worried?