HowStuffWorks Newsletter
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.
Nothing adds heat to a dish quite like hot sauce. Think you're hot sauce savvy? Take this quiz and prove it!
By Alia Hoyt
A dropped or stalled WiFi connection that occurs repeatedly can really mess up your day. If this keeps happening to you, read on for some explanations and solutions.
By Alia Hoyt
A landmark study showed that switching from salt to a salt substitute could lower the risk of strokes, heart disease and premature death.
By Alia Hoyt
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Some of your favorite "international" foods might not have roots outside of America. Instead, they may have been created in the good old U.S.A. Think you know which dishes were first cooked where?
By Alia Hoyt
The recipe for petroleum jelly hasn't really changed in more than 150 years. This wonder product can do lots more than just soothe chapped lips and skin.
By Alia Hoyt
Victorian etiquette wasn't just about sending a thank you note or holding a door open. There were a jillion rules of propriety to observe. How many of these do you know?
By Alia Hoyt
Skipping your daily shower doesn't necessarily mean you're lazy — it can actually be good for your skin, say doctors.
By Alia Hoyt
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Whether these people knew it or not, their famous last words made a real statement. How many can you figure out?
By Alia Hoyt
So, your friend who promised to pay you back as soon as he got paid is now avoiding you like the plague. Why does this happen and how can you avoid this in the future?
By Alia Hoyt
Hanging, when carried out with modern techniques, can be one of the quickest and most painless ways to be executed. But not all hangings are designed that way.
By Julia Layton & Alia Hoyt
We hear many reports of people vaccinated against COVID-19 getting the disease. How does that happen — and why should that not stop us from getting the vaccine?
By Alia Hoyt
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You've heard this advice a million times, and perhaps it even brings you comfort when you're in gator territory. But is it really true?
By Alia Hoyt & Amy Hunter
Every two years, pandemic notwithstanding, the world's elite athletes gather to take their shot at the ultimate prize: the Olympic gold medal. How much do you know about this storied event?
By Alia Hoyt
Myers-Briggs has established 16 personality types and says that everyone fits into one of them. But some types are more common than others. Which is the rarest of all?
By Alia Hoyt
A study asked participants to determine where a number of body parts such as the spleen, liver and thyroid were located in the human body. The only part everyone got correctly was the brain. Think you can do better? Take this quiz and find out!
By Alia Hoyt
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Some love to do it; others find it gross. But is there a health reason not to kiss your furry friends?
By Alia Hoyt
Frozen yogurt is fine, but everyone knows that ice cream is where the flavor's really at. How much do you know about this beloved chilly treat?
By Alia Hoyt
Pronunciation is a generally agreed-upon sequence of sounds. Big emphasis on "generally." In fact, many words are routinely mispronounced. How proficient are you at pronunciation? Take this quiz and find out!
By Alia Hoyt
If you've priced out a vacation rental home on one of the popular booking sites, you might be wondering why they seem as expensive as hotels. What's behind the price increase and is it really out of line?
By Alia Hoyt
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The dishwasher uses much less water and energy than washing by hand. Here's why.
By Alia Hoyt
Some words are extra important. Enter capitalization, the perfect way to show just why such words are special. How adept are you at knowing what to capitalize? Take this quiz and find out!
By Alia Hoyt
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
Queen Elizabeth II has reigned over England for a record-breaking 69 years. But with Prince Harry and Meghan having a second child, how does the line of succession look now?
By Alia Hoyt
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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
