Ask Us Anything

In ‘Ask Us Anything,’ Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from what dinosaur meat tastes like to how airplane toilets actually work. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

Latest in Ask Us Anything

A macro, close-up photograph of the bottom of a human nose, clearly showing the two nostrils and the texture of the surrounding skin. The eyes are closed in the background.
Ask Us Anything

Why we have two nostrils instead of one big hole

By Sarah Philip

A dramatic, low-light photo of a person with dark skin against a blue background, experiencing intense distress or pain. They are clenching their jaw and holding their hands to the sides of their head, with blurred motion around their head suggesting movement, panic, or disorientation.
Ask Us Anything

What happens to your body during a panic attack?

By Julia Daye

a couple riding bikes in the pouring rain while holding umbrellas
Ask Us Anything

What does ‘chance of precipitation’ really mean? A meteorologist explains.

By Laura Baisas

A close-up film still of a fictional dinosaur, the Dilophosaurus, from Jurassic Park, aggressively facing the camera with its mouth open, showcasing its sharp teeth and a large, vibrantly colored frill flared around its head. The scene is dark and misty.
Ask Us Anything

Were there any venomous dinosaurs?

By Andrew Coletti

A close-up photograph of a young child's face with freckles, wearing a knit winter hat dusted with snow. The child is smiling and deliberately crossing their eyes. The background is a blurry white winter scene.
Ask Us Anything

Is crossing your eyes really bad for you? We asked an optometrist.

By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

A white woman with brown hair wearing a grey sweater and yellow coat holds of a pine branch to her nose and smells. She seems to be walking down a sidewalk. There's an out of focus wire fence behind her and what looks like a street to her left. She looks happy and content as she smells the pine branch. There are more out of focus pine trees and branches behind her.
Ask Us Anything

Why smelling a pine tree can instantly lift your mood

By Jennifer Byrne

A vibrant, digital illustration of a glowing DNA double helix structure against a dark blue background. The helix is composed of numerous small, multicolored, light-filled blocks and lines that represent the genetic code.
Ask Us Anything

How scientists analyze ancient DNA from old bones

By Adam Kovac

A shallow depth-of-field close-up of a stainless steel frying pan sitting on a black, glossy induction cooktop, with steam rising from food cooking inside the pan. The kitchen background is blurred, showing a window and a refrigerator.
Ask Us Anything

Are induction stoves better? These chefs think so.

By Tom Hawking

A close-up photograph of a vibrant yellow snake, coiled around a horizontal brown branch. The snake, a white-lipped island pit viper, has reddish accents on its tail and is looking directly at the camera with large, bright eyes, set against a softly blurred green and blue background.
Ask Us Anything

How do snakes move? It’s not all slithering.

By Clarissa Brincat

A plate filled with a traditional holiday meal, featuring sliced roasted turkey breast, a scoop of stuffing, green beans, diced sweet potatoes, and a spoonful of cranberry sauce, all resting on a white plate set on a rustic wooden table.
Ask Us Anything

Can one big meal really make you gain weight?

By Jennifer Byrne

A close-up shot of an Asian woman with dark hair looking intently into a mirror, touching both sides of her face with her hands. Her expression is concerned or thoughtful, and she appears to be examining the skin or puffiness under her eyes. The background is bright and dominated by the reflection of a bathroom or vanity.
Ask Us Anything

Why we get dark circles and eye bags

By RJ Mackenzie

A close-up, shallow depth-of-field photograph of a person's hand holding a sleek, silver pen, poised to write on a crisp white piece of paper resting on a light wooden surface. The background is brightly blurred.
Ask Us Anything

Why are most people right-handed?

By Clarissa Brincat

man holding a radio shouting 'what is human composting'
Ask Us Anything

What is human composting?

By Popular Science Team

man holding a radio yelling 'why do we get goosebumps'
Ask Us Anything

Why do we get goosebumps?

By Popular Science Team

A fluffy orange and white cat is curled up and lounging inside a small, low-sided cardboard box that is lying on a wooden floor, looking directly at the viewer with a relaxed expression.
Ask Us Anything

Why do cats love boxes? Evolution has an answer.

By RJ Mackenzie

A close-up side profile of a gray squirrel with its bushy tail curled up, sitting on a mossy branch and holding a small nut in its paws, with soft green foliage blurred in the background.
Ask Us Anything

How squirrels actually find all their buried nuts

By Jennifer Byrne

A person's lower legs and feet, wearing thick, gray fuzzy socks, are stretched out against a clean white duvet or sheet. The image is bright and minimal, suggesting a cozy, relaxed moment in bed.
Ask Us Anything

Do you need more sleep in fall and winter? Probably.

By Laura Kiniry

A high-angle shot shows a person's hands placing a white plate of food—rice pilaf with mixed vegetables and a piece of chicken—into a white microwave oven. The food is centered on the rotating glass tray, and the background is a bright blue wooden surface.
Ask Us Anything

Is microwave cooking nuking all the nutrients?

By Andrew Coletti

A close-up photograph of a young girl's face peering out from under a large, white duvet or blanket. She is lying in bed, holding the blanket close to her chin, and has a frightened expression. The background is dark, emphasizing the light on her face.
Ask Us Anything

Why you ‘see’ things in the dark, according to an ophthalmologist

By Diana Hubbell

A close-up profile portrait of a German Shepherd dog's head, set against a dark background. The dog has brown and black fur, with one ear prominently upright, and is looking upward with a brown eye. The lighting is dramatic, highlighting the texture of its fur and nose.
Ask Us Anything

Can dogs really smell fear? A vet weighs in.

By Clarissa Brincat