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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
Why You'll Go Bananas for Mangosteens
Sometimes referred as the 'queen of fruit,' the mangosteen has a soft white interior, a mild taste and is notoriously difficult to find in the U.S. Here's why.
5 Tips on Sneaker Rehab From a Sneaker Restoration Expert
Those worn but loved sneaks can look almost new with a few cleaning tips we got from a pro.
Aphantasia: When Your Mind's Eye Is Blank
Although the inability to picture things in your head would seem to be a hinderance, some experts say it's definitely not a creativity killer and actually can have some advantages.
Quiz: Is This Spot North or South of the Equator?
You probably know that the equator is the imaginary line that divides Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. But do you know on which side of 0 degrees latitude these famous landmarks fall?
Do the Kings, Queens and Jacks on Playing Cards Represent Real People?
Is that Henry VIII on the king of spades? If not, then who is it?
7 Reasons a Cuttlefish May Be Smarter than You
This master of camouflage can count, gender-bend and also use a hidden weapon to outsmart its enemies.
Should You Take a Conch Shell From the Beach?
The queen conch, a symbol of the Bahamas, is prized all over the world for its meat and its beautiful shell. But too much love has led to a serious decline in its population.
All Hail the Kings and Queens Quiz
Whether you love 'em or think they're irrelevant, there's no denying that commoners are and always have been fascinated by royalty. How well do you know these historic members of society's upper echelon?
How Telemedicine Can Help You During COVID-19 and Beyond
Since the COVID-19 outbreak has people self-quarantining as much as possible, telemedicine has become a big alternative. But if you've never done it before, what can you expect?
Nematodes: Do We Still Need to Worry About Roundworms and Bare Feet?
When you were a kid, your mom probably told you not to go around barefoot because you could get worms. But are nematodes still a problem today?
Feel Like a Fraud, Despite Your Success? You Might Have Impostor Syndrome
Perhaps everyone feels unworthy of their achievements at some point. But if you constantly have that feeling, you may have impostor syndrome. So, who's more likely to have it and how do you cope with it?
Why Is It So Hard to Make a Universal Flu Vaccine?
Every year, a version of the flu vaccine must be developed, to compensate for the changes in the flu virus the year before. Will we ever have a one-and-done flu vaccine?
Why Hand-washing Beats Hand Sanitizer Hands Down!
Put down the sanitizer and get out the soap! Health experts say washing with soap and water gets more germs off your hands than using the alcohol-based stuff. But why?
Oil Diffusers Make Your House Smell Great, but Are They Safe?
Burning some essential oils around your home may make it smell really nice. But could there be some side effects you should be worried about?
Comma vs. Colon: Take Our Punctuation Quiz!
Punctuation can really make or break a sentence. Test your knowledge of basic (and not-so-basic) punctuation conventions by taking this quiz!
Are You a Grammar Geek? Take Our Quiz!
We all learned about grammar in grade school, but some of us retained the knowledge better than others. Test your knowledge of the finer points of English with our quiz.
Can a Vision Board Really Affect Your Future?
Some people swear by vision boards for making their dreams come true. But is there any science to back them up?
Americans Rely on a Patchwork of Options to Pay for Elder Health Care
Medicare only covers so much. Health care costs can be very high for seniors in the U.S., even with this coverage. We look at two real-life situations to find out how people are coping.
Why Frederick Douglass Was the Father of the Civil Rights Movement
Frederick Douglass spent the first 15 years of his life as a slave but rose to become a famous orator and abolitionist – as well as the most photographed American of the 19th century.
Should You Pop Your Blisters?
It's so gross-looking you're really tempted to prick it and let out the ooze. But what would a doctor say?
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