Maria Trimarchi

Maria Trimarchi has written over 350 articles for HowStuffWorks on topics ranging from climate refugees to training your cat. She is also a cohost of the podcast "Criminalia."

Recent Contributions

Many cultures have a flood myth -- an ancient story of a deluge that swallowed the Earth. So could a great flood really have happened, and how would we be able to tell?

By Maria Trimarchi

What if the land you relied upon simply blew away? In the 1930s, poor stewardship and crushing drought created black blizzards and an internal American exodus known as the Dust Bowl.

By Maria Trimarchi

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust -- unless of course you've been embalmed, buried in a steel and hardwood coffin and interred in a concrete vault. For some people, the luxurious excess that accompanies traditional burial is no longer appealing.

By Maria Trimarchi

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Can you walk to restaurants from your home? Or do you have to hop in the car for every outing? How do you determine your neighborhood's walkability without taking to the streets yourself?

By Maria Trimarchi

As high-yield oil supplies become harder to find, energy companies are turning to oil sands: mixtures of bitumen, sand and water. How do you extract oil from mucky, viscous soil?

By Maria Trimarchi

Ever wish the lawn would just mow itself? Well, the Husqvarna Automower is about as close as you'll get to that dream -- with the added bonus of using the sun for power.

By Maria Trimarchi

Usually we're focused on our personal power consumption -- wondering why our gas bill went up or took a dip. But what if we added up everybody's power consumption? How much would it be?

By Maria Trimarchi

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You might inherit your mother's dimples or your father's eyes. You may have your maternal grandmother's laugh. But can you also genetically inherit mental illness?

By Maria Trimarchi

There are many myths and stigmas associated with leprosy, almost all completely incorrect. It's not a very contagious disease, and it's easily treatable. What else is wrong in the common beliefs about Hansen's disease?

By Maria Trimarchi

You've probably experienced that moment where you're driving, get lost, turn down the radio, and then think, "Why did I just do that?"

By Maria Trimarchi

Moving all your credit card debt to one card may see like a great deal, and sometimes it is. How do you decide whether consolidation is the best approach to tackling your unsecured debt?

By Maria Trimarchi

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Human bodies are wonderlands of grossness. You might be shocked to know some of the nastiest things your body is harboring right this minute.

By Maria Trimarchi

You toss your clothes and detergent in, let the cycle run and then pop that laundry in the dryer. Easy peasy. But there are some nuances to laundromat manners you may not be privy to.

By Maria Trimarchi

Think you can't train a cat? Think again. Cats of any age can learn to do tricks, and the training will strengthen your bond with your feline friend.

By Maria Trimarchi

Do you run a space heater in your office, even in August? Can you not warm up no matter how many layers you wear? The culprit could be a vitamin deficiency.

By Maria Trimarchi

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Is one gallon of paint the same as the next? Not really. Find out if you can use that interior latex you fell in love with on the outside of your house, too.

By Maria Trimarchi

Without a doubt, plastic is useful. It's also everywhere — filling up landfills and recycling bins. These 10 twists on the common polymer are trying to change that reality.

By Maria Trimarchi, Patrick J. Kiger & Vicki M. Giuggio

Masked crime fighters aren't just the stuff of Marvel and DC comics and films. These characters may not have superpowers, but they feel the call to keep citizens safe and serve their communities.

By Maria Trimarchi

Today, TV dinners are fast, cheap and available in every variety -- from enormously portioned Hungry-Man sizes to gluten-free, vegan delights. But where did TV dinners get their start?

By Maria Trimarchi

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Americans seem to like a little food with their salt -- on average, we each consume almost 3,500 milligrams (mg) of sodium every day. When everything's loaded with salt, what are we supposed to eat to stay healthy?

By Maria Trimarchi

It's a flaky pastry tube with a creamy delicious filling. But what's that filling supposed to be made of, and is there room to experiment?

By Maria Trimarchi

Panna cotta may seem like a fancy dessert, but it's actually quite simple to make. And with these five tips, your Italian desserts will come out just right -- every time.

By Maria Trimarchi

If you’re a clean freak, the thought of a meal cooked on an ongoing basis in a vessel that’s never washed may horrify you. But some swear by nosh prepped in perpetuity.

By Maria Trimarchi

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The game of horseshoes is believed to date all the way back to the ancient Greeks, and has endured through the ages and remained a popular sport. How exactly do you throw a horseshoe, and what's a dead ringer?

By Maria Trimarchi

A hot shower after your workout encourages blood flow toward your skin, soothing your muscles to help you relax and feel good. But what are the benefits of taking a cold shower instead?

By Maria Trimarchi