Alia is an Atlanta-based freelance writer who has contributed content to HowStuffWorks for going on a decade now, with a specialty in health writing. She’s also been published by TLC, Animal Planet, and a number of corporate clients. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), and might someday get around to setting up a professional website. Until then, check her out on LinkedIn.
She and her husband are proud parents to three handsome, too-smart-for-their-own-good boys. Alia is a passably not terrible tennis player, lover of all things dance and music, brownie-obsessed, avid reader and off-key car singer. Her two favorite types of people are those who have a healthy sense of humor and those who actually read articles in their entirety before posting comments.
Recent Contributions
And he was still growing at the time of his death. But there was a lot more to Robert Wadlow than just his extraordinary height.
By Alia Hoyt
Some videos you love to hate. And hate on. The dubious winner of the "most-disliked" title has been in the top spot for three years and counting.
By Alia Hoyt
With more than 40 million "experiences" (they don't call them games) to choose from, there's something for everyone in Roblox. Take this quiz to learn more.
By Alia Hoyt
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Need some hints? It's a music video, not sung in English, that is popular all over the world.
By Alia Hoyt
You may find them annoying when they swarm an outside light during the summer months, but many other animals welcome them as a tasty treat.
By Alia Hoyt
There are about 170,000 English language words currently in use. So, we're bound to mess up some of them. Take this quiz and find out what common words you might be misusing.
By Alia Hoyt
A third of American adults say they definitely or probably won't get the COVID-19 vaccination. But vaccine hesitancy has a long history in the world. Why is that and what can be done to change it?
By Alia Hoyt
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Minecraft launched in 2011. Now, a decade later, the game shows no signs of losing popularity. How much do you know about this award-winning game that features baby zombies riding chickens and other crazy stuff?
By Alia Hoyt
Some words, like "cat" or "dog" are easy enough to spell. Others, however, cause quite the spelling frakas. Or is it fracas? Take the quiz to determine your spelling IQ!
By Alia Hoyt
These eight foods are banned in at least some, if not all, of the states in America. Have you tried any of them?
By Alia Hoyt
Often you might hear someone say about their elderly relative "He died of old age." But what does that really mean? Can old age kill you?
By Alia Hoyt
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Most people know the correct lyrics to "Happy Birthday," and that's about it. Can you finish these song lyrics correctly? Don't disappoint your favorite recording artists!
By Alia Hoyt
Zoysia is that lovely springy carpet-like grass you often see on golf courses and lawns in warm climates. But is it easy to grow? And how do you care for it?
By Alia Hoyt
You may know that baking soda can be used to clean stuff and to make toothpaste, but we've rounded up 15 creatives uses for the product, many of which might be new to you.
By Alia Hoyt
Sure, you might know which candy bar you're supposed to break a piece off of, but there are a lot of other jingles out there. See how many of these you recognize!
By Alia Hoyt
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A beloved ingredient in British children's literature, treacle has a long, sweet history. Let's dip in.
By Alia Hoyt
These pioneering women bring new meaning to the phrase, "girl power!" Test your IQ of some of the baddest women in history with our quiz.
By Alia Hoyt
Nitrates are found not only in processed meats, but also naturally occur in green vegetables as well. So, are they dangerous?
By Alia Hoyt
Potting soil looks an awful lot like dirt, except there's likely no earth in the mix. So, what is it really made of? And is it better for potted plants than the stuff from the ground?
By Alia Hoyt
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A cinch to plant and tend, forsythia is beloved for its vivid yellow blooms. They also mark the beginning. Here's how to grow and care for these beauties.
By Alia Hoyt