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    • 10 Signs China Is Serious About Space
      10 Signs China Is Serious About Space

      Blasting off from the shoulders of giants, China is slowly but steadily getting ready to conquer the next frontier: space. Here are 10 reasons why we're convinced it really might happen.

    • How Asexuality Works
      How Asexuality Works

      You can't neatly slice the human population into heterosexual and homosexual camps. For people who identify as asexual, sex is a moot point. But does that mean romantic relationships are completely out of the question?

    • Google Plus 101
      Google Plus 101

      If at first you don't succeed, launch a new online social network. Google's Orkut failed to hit the big time on the world stage, but could Google Plus challenge Facebook for the title of King of Social Media?

    • How do you clean up an oil spill?
      How do you clean up an oil spill?

      Bristol University researchers recently developed a type of soap with magnetic properties, which may make it ideal for oil spill cleanups. What are some of the methods currently available for cleaning up these environmental disasters?

    • How the Honda EV-STER Works
      How the Honda EV-STER Works

      Revealed at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the Honda EV-STER -- a concept electric sports car -- seems to have more in common with Tesla's Roadster than it does with any of Honda's current models.

    • How will we colonize other planets?
      How will we colonize other planets?

      Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich promised in a recent speech that if elected, he will make it his two-term goal to put a permanent base on the moon. We've proven ourselves quite capable of living in low-Earth orbit, but are we ready for more distant outposts?

    • How Invisibility Cloaks Work
      How Invisibility Cloaks Work

      German scientists were recently able to hide a cylindrical tube using what they call plasmonic cloaking. A true invisibility cloak seems perfectly believable in the magical world of Harry Potter, but in the real world, it's impossible, right? Not so fast.

    • Top 10 Most Controversial Historical Sites
      Top 10 Most Controversial Historical Sites

      Jan. 27 is the annual International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the anniversary of the day Soviet soldiers liberated the Auschwitz death camp in 1945. Sites like the Auschwitz camp may be notorious, but travelers can’t seem to get enough of the history they have to offer. Where are some of the most controversial ones?

    • 5 Questions That Still Linger After Michael Jackson's Death
      5 Questions That Still Linger After Michael Jackson's Death

      On Jan. 27, 1984, Michael Jackson was burned while filming a Pepsi commercial. Known as the King of Pop and beloved by millions, Michael Jackson died at his home in California on June 25, 2009. Though his heart failure was ruled a homicide, questions still linger after his death.

    • 10 of the Biggest Lies in History
      10 of the Biggest Lies in History

      On Jan. 26, 1998, U.S. President Bill Clinton denied having sexual relations with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, only to later admit to the affair. Lots of us lie, but what are the biggest fibs ever told?

    • How Password Management Software Works
      How Password Management Software Works

      Last year, a Pew study found that about one-third of teens share their passwords to online sites, e-mail and instant message accounts as an expression of love and trust. Your passwords are basically the digital equivalent of your house keys -- so you wouldn't want them in the wrong hands. How can you keep them safe?

    • Travel the World: Australia
      Travel the World: Australia

      Australia Day, which was celebrated on Thursday, commemorates the 1788 arrival of Britain’s First Fleet at Sydney Cove. We all know that Australia is the "land down under" thanks to a certain song from the 1980s. But is it really the land of plenty?

    • How the First Lady Works
      How the First Lady Works

      Former first lady Julia Dent-Grant, wife of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States, was born on this day in 1826. Whether you think of the first lady as the nation's hostess or an adviser to the U.S. president, the position has been evolving constantly for the last 200 years. Who defines her role if it lies outside the parameters of the Constitution?

    • How Income Taxes Work
      How Income Taxes Work

      As employers send out their W-2s, Americans are preparing for another go at filing their tax returns. If you've ever filled out a 1040, you know the U.S. tax system and the agency that keeps it going can seem mystifying. Get the lowdown on this essential piece of the U.S. government.

    • Could an extremely powerful solar flare destroy all the electronics on Earth?
      Could an extremely powerful solar flare destroy all the electronics on Earth?

      On Monday, sunspot 1402 produced a solar flare that hit Earth on Tuesday as a solar radiation storm. These storms can mess with Earth’s magnetosphere and interrupt communications systems. Major solar flares have the potential to cause more havoc. Could a flare-up wipe out all our electronics?

    • How the Oscars Work
      How the Oscars Work

      Nine movies were nominated for best picture Academy Awards this week, and one -- "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" -- has sparked discussions of exactly what makes a movie Oscar-worthy. Who decides what gets nominated for an Oscar, and who gets the credit for that gold statuette?

    • How Dragons Work
      How Dragons Work

      Chinese New Year, which kicked off Jan. 23, celebrates the Year of the Dragon. Dragons have captured imaginations -- and their fair share of maidens -- across the globe. But are they more than mythological?

    • 10 Most Important U.S. Supreme Court Cases for Journalists
      10 Most Important U.S. Supreme Court Cases for Journalists

      Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that police must have a warrant in order to put a GPS tracking device on a suspect’s vehicle. How have Supreme Court cases over the years affected the work that journalists do?

    • Will traveling make you happy?
      Will traveling make you happy?

      British psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnall's calculations show that Jan. 24 is the most depressing day of the year, thanks in part to dreary weather, and travel companies interpret that to mean many people will book vacations to sunnier locales during this time. But does travel really serve up all the joy we crave?

    • 5 New Engine Technologies That Make Cars More Fun to Drive
      5 New Engine Technologies That Make Cars More Fun to Drive

      Whether it's a tiny city car with a direct-injected engine or a supercar with a "push to pass" hybrid booster button, these technologies promise that the future of driving will still be fun.

    • This Land is Your Land: The Citizenship Quiz
      This Land is Your Land: The Citizenship Quiz

      For people who never leave their native countries, citizenship is simple as pie -- you simply have to be born. But being a citizen entails a lot more than just living in a nation. Test your knowledge about what it means to be a citizen.

    • Cars Caught on Camera
      Cars Caught on Camera

      Red-light cameras may seem technologically cut-and-dried, but that's far from reality. They've saved lives, but they've also stirred up more controversy that most other traffic control devices on the roads to date.

    • Are you a vampire?
      Are you a vampire?

      Have you been feeling a little off lately? Like maybe something's not quite right? Ordering your steaks extra, extra bloody? If you score above a 15 in this quiz, you might want to avoid holy water and garlicky foods for quite some time, or, you know, an eternity.

    • Are you an ignition expert?
      Are you an ignition expert?

      Automobile ignition systems rely on perfect timing. A simple spark, when delivered at precisely the right moment, can mean the difference between a smooth running and powerful engine that operates cleanly and an engine that runs rough, lacks power and produces unnecessary emissions. How much do you know about automobile ignition systems?

    • The Ultimate Kissing Quiz
      The Ultimate Kissing Quiz

      It can be a sign of love, grief or respect worldwide. Kissing is a natural act that gives millions of people physical and psychological satisfaction, but where did it originate? Why does it make us feel good?

    • Tech Talk: Internet Cookie Quiz
      Tech Talk: Internet Cookie Quiz

      Right now, your computer has an array of tiny files that are keeping tabs on you. Test your knowledge of Internet cookies, one the most misunderstood aspects of the Internet.

    • The Ultimate Hang Gliding Quiz
      The Ultimate Hang Gliding Quiz

      Among man's many achievements, the ability to fly is one that never gets old -- especially for people who hang glide. Soaring through the air and reaching daring heights is either thrilling or terrifying, depending on your point of view. Regardless of whether you're ready to take off running, sit back and test your knowledge of the next best thing to grow wings.

    • Are you a zombie?
      Are you a zombie?

      Think you might be a zombie? And not just an "office-worker-who-needs-a -coffee-injection-stat" type of zombie, but an actual member of the undead? Take this quiz to find out if you're right. A score of 15 or more may give you cause for concern.

    • Take Your Talents to Tinseltown
      Take Your Talents to Tinseltown

      You've got throwing an Oscar party down pat. All of your favorite blogs are written by grips, gaffers and set designers. The people who work the box office at no less than three movie theaters know you by your first name. Think you've got what it takes to pass this movie quiz? Let's see what you've got.

    • Never Fear the Sphere: The Ultimate Geodesic Dome Quiz
      Never Fear the Sphere: The Ultimate Geodesic Dome Quiz

      We promise they aren't the manifestation of some depraved high school math teacher. Geodesic domes are certainly geared toward the mathematically minded, but they also have a lot of practical uses. How much do you know about these domes?

    • World Records: Gadgets
      World Records: Gadgets

      In the hypercompetitive world of gadgets, someone is always coming out with the smallest this and the fastest that, so records in this category can be fleeting. The tiniest cell phone of 2000 now looks like it could have belonged to Godzilla. But take your best stab at these gadget records -- just pretend you don't know about the next big thing.

    • Gadget Savvy: Electric Motors Quiz
      Gadget Savvy: Electric Motors Quiz

      Electric motors are inside all kinds of ordinary devices, using a power source to make motion. So what makes the motor go 'round?

    • What's your calling?
      What's your calling?

      How many jobs have you had? Do you know the difference between networking and career branding? See if you have the skills to ace the Ultimate Employment Quiz. If not, we're telling your boss.

    • Tech Talk: CPU Quiz
      Tech Talk: CPU Quiz

      When you sit at your computer, browsing the Internet, playing video games and running word processors, it's easy to feel like you're in control. But have you ever thought about what really makes your desktop or laptop run?

    • Stuff You Should Know's Muppet Quiz
      Stuff You Should Know's Muppet Quiz

      It's time to put on makeup; it's time to dress up right. It's time to raise the curtain on the Muppet quiz tonight!

    • Tech Talk: How Well Do You Know Bill Gates?
      Tech Talk: How Well Do You Know Bill Gates?

      Everyone knows Bill Gates founded Microsoft and became a snillionaire -- he's one of the richest guys in the world right now, according to Forbes magazine. But what else do you really know about him? Take the quiz and found out.

    • Paying at the Pump
      Paying at the Pump

      Everyone knows that gas prices are skyrocketing, but how much do you know about where your gasoline is coming from? Do you know where the money that you spend on gasoline is actually going? Where can you find the cheapest gasoline in the world? What about the most expensive? Take our quiz to find out how much you know about gas prices.

    • Tech Talk: Home Networking Quiz
      Tech Talk: Home Networking Quiz

      Home networks are becoming common in homes that use more than one computer. With people using computers for shopping, home businesses and entertainment, it can be essential to link up not only PCs but also fax machines and TVs. What's going on behind this linked-up system?

    • The September 11 Attacks Quiz
      The September 11 Attacks Quiz

      On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America altered the world's political and military landscape. How much do you really know about the history of these atrocities?

    • Fact or Fiction: Fight it out!
      Fact or Fiction: Fight it out!

      Today we shall see if all that training, gaming and movie watching have paid off. Can you tell the difference between real martial arts maneuvers and fictional ones? In this quiz, you shall face both. Fight!

    • 10 Awesome Ad Campaigns You've Never Heard Of
      10 Awesome Ad Campaigns You've Never Heard Of

      There's a lot of inventiveness and innovation in the advertising world these days. So much, in fact, that you could find amazing ad campaigns in places you've never been, for products you've never heard of. Here are 10 of the most awesome examples.

    • 10 Notorious Motorcycle Gangs
      10 Notorious Motorcycle Gangs

      Motorcycle gangs have been around for more than 50 years. But only about 1 percent of them are considered criminal and dangerous in the eyes of the law. These are 10 of the most notorious.

    • Top 10 Things You Should Not Share on Social Networks
      Top 10 Things You Should Not Share on Social Networks

      If your Facebook status update reads, "Leaving for France!" you're not just gloating about your trip. You're letting everyone know that your house will be empty for about 10 days. Bad idea.

    • 10 Differences Between Macs and PCs
      10 Differences Between Macs and PCs

      Are you a Mac or a PC? Or, are you wondering what the difference is? We've broken down these computers to reveal their strengths and weaknesses.

    • 10 Inventions by Thomas Edison (That You've Never Heard Of)
      10 Inventions by Thomas Edison (That You've Never Heard Of)

      It's common knowledge that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb and the phonograph, but did you know he also developed concrete furniture and a phone to communicate with the dead?

    • 10 Things You Should Buy in Bulk
      10 Things You Should Buy in Bulk

      Buying in bulk doesn't always mean you have to buy three gallons of everything to get a good deal. You have to play your cards right if you want to save a bundle. Here are a few things you actually should buy in bulk.

    • 10 Cool Things You Didn't Know About Stephen Hawking
      10 Cool Things You Didn't Know About Stephen Hawking

      Stephen Hawking is known around the world as an acclaimed physicist, but there are more sides of him. From his work as an author to his beliefs about alien life, what are some of the most surprising things about Stephen Hawking?

    • 10 Stand-up Facts About Waterless Urinals
      10 Stand-up Facts About Waterless Urinals

      Waterless urinals still haven't quite broken through to the mainstream, but they can save users billions of gallons of water over standard models. Read on to find out how they work, and stay safe and sanitary.

    • 10 Celebrity Tax Evaders
      10 Celebrity Tax Evaders

      Tax evasion challenges the idea that any publicity is good publicity, especially since there's more than a 90 percent conviction rate when the tax man takes a celeb to trial. Who are some of the most famous celebrity tax evaders?

    • 10 Strange Wedding Traditions
      10 Strange Wedding Traditions

      Unusual things happen at weddings all the time. You can expect to see anything from grandmas getting down to hip-hop to inebriated toasts and speeches. But some wedding traditions are more unusual than most.

    • 10 Countries with Perfect Climates
      10 Countries with Perfect Climates

      A perfect climate means different things to different people. These 10 countries span the globe and offer a wide range of climates to satisfy any taste -- hot, cold or in-between.

    • 10 Incredible Holes
      10 Incredible Holes

      A fiery crater. A gaping sinkhole that swallowed a city block. A narrow borehole drilled into the Earth by man. Which are the world's most bizarre cavities?

    • 10 Great Lowriders
      10 Great Lowriders

      Early lowriders cruised the streets of California in the 1930s in customized cars to impress the girls. Find out why these 10 bajito y suavecito cars made our list.

    • 10 Ways to Make Money on the Side
      10 Ways to Make Money on the Side

      With the exception of the occasional lottery winner, making real money takes time and effort. But there are legitimate ways you can make extra money to supplement your day job. Check out 10 ways you can moonlight and end up with some money to show for it.

    • 10 Hardest Vegetables to Grow and Maintain
      10 Hardest Vegetables to Grow and Maintain

      Now, more and more produce eaters are looking for produce grown even closer to home -- their own backyards. But it may not be as easy as planting the seed and watching it grow.

    • Top 10 Everyday Car Technologies that Came from Racing
      Top 10 Everyday Car Technologies that Came from Racing

      Most race fans dream of slipping behind the wheel of a purebred race car. As it turns out, you don't have to go much farther than your own garage to have a race car experience. Your car already has several features or technologies that were originally designed for racing. So what are they?

    • NASA's 10 Greatest Achievements
      NASA's 10 Greatest Achievements

      Since its inception in the late '50s, NASA has accomplished some amazing technical feats. But what are some of the agency's greatest moments?

    • 5 Energy-hungry Appliances
      5 Energy-hungry Appliances

      Sure, your hair dryer or toaster sucks up a lot of kilowatt-hours during the short time it's on, but what are the truly big drains on your home energy budget?

    • 10 Strange American Traditions
      10 Strange American Traditions

      If you normally mute commercials but spend Super Bowl Sunday analyzing every joke or camera angle, you know some American traditions can be kind of bizarre. What are 10 of the weirdest?

    • 10 Most Endangered Lighthouses in the World
      10 Most Endangered Lighthouses in the World

      Lighthouses have become tourist attractions in coastal areas all over the world. However, many of these time-worn landmarks are inactive and could be lost forever. Here are 10 of the world's most endangered lighthouses.

  • Social Stuff from the HowStuffWorks writers and editors

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    • Speed Match
      Speed Match

      Speed Match will help you think faster and improve your reaction time. Remember and compare the symbols flashed on your screen in this fast-paced matching game. Put your intelligence to the test and play Speed Match.

    • Treasures of Montezuma
      Treasures of Montezuma

      Featuring more than 40 challenging levels, original game play and gorgeous full-screen graphics, Treasures of Montezuma is a bold adventure of strategic surprises like you've never seen before.

    • Bejeweled 2
      Bejeweled 2

      With four unique and entrancing ways to play, explosive new game pieces and awe-inspiring planetary backdrops, Bejeweled 2 is more wildly addictive than ever before!

    • Crab Fishing Game
      Crab Fishing Game

      Have you got what it takes to skipper a crab boat on the Bering Sea? Take charge of your own vessel and see if you can survive a season of derby style king crab fishing.

    • Picture Pieces
      Picture Pieces

      In this addictive picture puzzle game, you’ll be presented with pieces of a larger image, which you’ll then have to click and drag to the right spot. The more accurate you are, the higher you’ll score. Are you and your eagle eyes ready to play?

    • Addiction Solitaire
      Addiction Solitaire

      Find out why this speedy variant of a classic card game is called "Addiction Solitaire."

    • Zuma
      Zuma

      Test your abilities in this thrilling action puzzler. Control the stone frog idol of the ancient Zuma. Fire off balls to make sets of three, but don't let them reach the golden skull, or you're history!

    • Ancient Secrets
      Ancient Secrets

      Discover a rich world filled with incredible fun in Ancient Secrets, a bold new adventure for all ages.

    • Podcast Word Search
      Podcast Word Search

      Are you the ultimate HowStuffWorks podcast fan? Prove it in this word search game with 10 exciting levels, numerous categories and backgrounds inspired by the podcasts.

    • Crossword: Regular
      Crossword: Regular

      Are you ready for a classic crossword challenge? Online Crossword: Regular provides beginners with game play that will surely satisfy your puzzle craving.

    • Flip Words
      Flip Words

      You'll flip over our new word game: Flip Words! Click on letters to make words and solve familiar phrases.

    • Super TextTwist
      Super TextTwist

      Figure out the combination with the most letters and move to the next level. A classic word scramble for a digital world. Take a break and exercise your brain all at once!

    • Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
      Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery

      Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery is a puzzle party! Are you a puzzle genius? It isn't as easy as it looks!

    • The Island Castaway
      The Island Castaway

      An ocean liner gets caught in a fierce storm and goes down, leaving a group of passengers to fend for themselves on a nearby tropical island. To get back home, you'll have to find answers and overcome more than 200 diverse quests. Can you make it through?

    • Plants vs. Zombies
      Plants vs. Zombies

      Plant powerful perennials and defend your brain from hordes of hungry zombies in the all-new Plants vs. Zombies -- Game of the Year Edition. The zombies are on the march for tasty brains and only you can stop them!

    • Cannon Challenge
      Cannon Challenge

      Take charge of your own Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Cannon, the revolutionary gun that represents the future of U.S. Field Artillery.

    • Jack of all Tribes
      Jack of all Tribes

      Guide the tribe to construct useful buildings, collect needed resources and decorate the landscape. They will then reward you with tributes and helpful items to make it through. Introduce new technologies, play fun Hidden Object mini-games and earn fantastic rewards in Jack of all Tribes!

    • Alu's Revenge
      Alu's Revenge

      Alu's Revenge serves up solid gameplay, where stacked stones continue to fall as you use your quick wits and speedy strategy to open the tomb and reveal the jewels inside.

    • Mahjongg Dimensions
      Mahjongg Dimensions

      Play this classic game in 3-D! Just when you think you're stuck, you can rotate the cube to reveal more matches to clear. Mahjongg Dimensions is all about creativity, speed and 3-D memory.

    • Chuzzle
      Chuzzle

      Chuzzles are googly-eyed little balls of fur that giggle, squeak and sneeze as you poke and push them across the board. Free them by forming groups of three, but watch out for dangerous puzzle locks! Explore four different game modes as you earn trophies, unlock secret games and more! Once you start popping Chuzzles you might not be able to stop!

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Did you know: The National Bureau for Economic Research published a report in November 2008 that stated that childhood obesity could be cut by as much as 18 percent if fast-food ads were banned. Another random fact

“If you understood everything I said, you'd be me.” Who said it?