Laurie L. Dove is an award-winning journalist who covers timely topics for HowStuffWorks. She is the author of six books and the former owner of a newspaper and magazine. When not reporting on the latest tech breakthrough, health advance or economic development, Dove is tracking down hidden history, science innovations and biologic discoveries. As the Honorable Laurie Dove, Mayor, she has brought multi-million-dollar improvements to the small Midwest town where she lives with her husband, five children and two Akitas.
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The pink Amazon river dolphin, like some mythical creature from another world, is a shockingly beautiful color, but it is also extremely endangered.
Ever felt a pang of guilt on, say, Election Day when you skipped the voting booth to go to dinner? The 'bread and circuses' concept of being pacified by food and entertainment — and forgoing civic duty — goes back to Roman times.
These two words are often used interchangeably and incorrectly, so here's how to know when to use "affect" vs. "effect."
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Everyone knows you're not supposed to open an umbrella indoors. Explore the history behind this long-held superstition.
Carrying around an animal's body part is pretty creepy. But many people don't bat an eyelash at the idea that a rabbit's foot brings good fortune — for humans, anyway.
By Laurie L. Dove & Sascha Bos
The media saturates us with stories of violence, but most people leave them on the page or screen. So what made these copycat killers act out?
By Josh Clark & Laurie L. Dove
When you're holding something together with nothing more than spit and perhaps some duct tape (duck tape?), what is the correct term, jury- or jerry-rigged?
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When most people think of the words "wine" and "toilet," they're probably not thinking about a fermentation strategy. But as countless prisoners over the years have discovered, when it comes to alcohol, if there's a will, there's a way.
If you think there's one easy explanation behind this cute canine behavior, think again. There are several theories. But a new study has found a sweet reason for head tilting in dogs.
Don't worry about transmitting the cold or flu to your furry friends. In fact, some time cuddled up can help with your sickness.
Most of us use the CC function in our email accounts all the time, but do you know what CC actually means and how it works?
By Laurie L. Dove & Zach Taras
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Electric eels actually aren't eels at all, but they certainly are electric. Their shock can kill animals in surrounding waters, but could it take down a human?
Macaws mate for life, can speak human words and have even been known to blush when delighted.
Budgies are the same species as parakeets and make fabulous pets – and, yes, they love to talk!
The character of King Louie gets a serious primate upgrade in the new Disney live-action-meets-CGI film. Did the ape also serve as inspiration for sasquatch and yeti?
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Parchment paper is great as a non-stick surface for baking, but it has a lot of other uses that you may not have thought about.
"Let's go to grandpa's room and see if it still smells funny," said Tommy.
It takes more than a can of paint and a brush or roller to paint the outside of your house. Here are some other must-have tools to make the job look more professional.
We love our power drill, but for some jobs, nothing beats a good old hand tool. What are some of the must-haves for your toolbox?
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Whether you like to pile them up and jump in with abandon or rue the time of year when they fall, leaves are at the center of a heated debate.
Both white vinegar and cleaning vinegar can be used to clean, but the two are definitely not interchangeable. So, what's the difference?
He is famous for a phrase he never said, for wearing turtlenecks and for hosting the original 'Cosmos' TV series. As enthusiastic about the stars as he was about marijuana, Carl Sagan led a very surprising life.
We may finally know how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids.
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Scientists have found that ancient fossilized chlorophyll was dark red and purple in its concentrated form, which means that when diluted by water or soil, it would have lent a pink cast to earth and sea.
Relief wells made the news as a possible method to cut off the Gulf Coast oil leak, but that's not all they're used for. How do these wells prevent and stop dangerous overflows?