Maddy Staple
Recent articles by Maddy Staple

Is carbonated water as hydrating as still?

Good news for fizzy water fans.
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Do viruses die?

Viruses exist at the boundary of what counts as life, and most scientists now agree they don't make the cut.
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Why do balloons go bang when they’re popped?

Bang! Exploding balloons are a staple of the British birthday experience.
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Which is less green: soap or shower gel?

Shower gel vs. bar soap - while both have their merits, which one is the most environmentally friendly overall?
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Why do we close our eyes when we kiss?

They may love you, but they'll still think it's weird to open your eyes when you kiss.
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Why is cork so thick and spongy?

Cork oak trees, or Quercus subers, are commercially stripped from their spongy, durable coats - but what gives them this property?
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Where on the dartboard should useless players aim?

It might seem obvious to aim for the highest-scoring section of a dartboard, but if you're not a super accurate shot there may be a better target for you.
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Do parrots have taste buds?

Generally, birds have a less developed sense of taste than humans, but they still need a way to avoid poisonous foods.
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Does a queen bee ever sting?

Queen bees are special in more ways than one and their stings serve a very different purpose to that of the workers'.
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If our body cells are replaced, why do we age?

Most cells in our bodies divide and are replaced when they die, but we can't rely on this process forever, especially when our DNA is setting the timer.
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What drew Pluto into the Solar System?

Planet or not, Pluto has been a part our our solar system as long as the rest of them, but how did it come to join us?
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What is the most advanced robot around today?

Honda Motor Corporation’s Asimo has been dubbed the world’s most advanced robot - but is that really the case?
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Why can you see out of, but not in through, net curtains?

Here we shed some light on how net curtains are designed to keep noisy neighbours out and you safe in the shadows.
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Does the Moon have a molten core?

It's taken us over 40 years to figure out what our moon's core is made up of, and unfortunately it's not cheese.
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Why can emotional pain feel physical?

Scans show that physical pain and mental pain involve the same brain regions.
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Why do people feel heavier to carry when drunk?

No matter the number of cheesy chips or sheer volume of alcohol consumed, people aren't actually heavier when they're drunk. So, why do they feel it?
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Why do some trees have smooth bark and others rough?

Bark is a tree's first line of defence. Whether rough or smooth, a tree's choice in bark boils down to strength versus speed.
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What does orange juice ‘from concentrate’ mean?

You might need to concentrate on this juicy answer...
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