Oisin Curran is a freelance writer, editor and researcher, as well as regular contributor to HowStuffWorks. He writes on subjects ranging from the Antikythera Mechanism and the Fermi Paradox to Tardigrades and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Oisin also is the author of two novels, including his debut novel, Mopus.

Recent Contributions

A sound wave alone probably won't kill you. Crank the volume on a terrible song, though, and you just might annoy everyone to death.

By Oisin Curran

The late marine biologist Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book, "Silent Spring," debuted 60 years ago as one of the finest works of nature writing ever.

By Oisin Curran

It's the centerpiece of many festive occasions. It keeps beer fresh and makes it portable. So how is it designed and manufactured? And where does it go when its party days are over?

By Oisin Curran

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How effective is fighting a wildfire with controlled fire?

By Oisin Curran

For centuries, people have considered four-leaf clovers to be magical — whether as an aid to spot fairies or a charm to bring the bearer good luck. So what exactly makes these tiny plants so special?

By Oisin Curran & Desiree Bowie

HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 35 million lives so far.

By Kevin Bonsor & Oisin Curran

Animal testing has a long, gruesome history, but it's also saved countless human lives.

By Oisin Curran

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Malcolm X was the leader of the Nation of Islam for more than a decade. His speeches were often militant in tone and he was labeled a firebrand. But was he simply misunderstood?

By Oisin Curran

In honor of the 25th 007 film, "No Time to Die," we're celebrating these 25 Bond Girls, whose looks all but gave them a license to kill.

By Oisin Curran

Money laundering is a crime that disguises where money came from — usually because its source was illegal. How can money start out dirty and wind up clean?

By Julia Layton & Oisin Curran

Earning a medical degree takes a lot of hard work, but sometimes destiny calls to other things. These folks abandoned their medical careers to get involved in other lines of work and make their names.

By Oisin Curran

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The wildly successful author of numerous children's books, Shel Silverstein was also a poet, musician, illustrator and man of many talents. He even lived in the Playboy mansion for a time.

By Oisin Curran

John F. Kennedy was the youngest man ever elected to be president of the United States. But his term was tragically cut short when he was assassinated in Dallas at age 46.

By Oisin Curran

No, a tardigrade's not a type of time-traveling police box on "Doctor Who." It's an ancient water bear, of course!

By Oisin Curran

Antagonists. We need them to provide balance to the protagonists of our stories and myths. Because, really, what kind of world would it be if we all just got along?

By Oisin Curran

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Howard Hughes was a man of great intelligence and wealth. He was also a man of mystery, secrecy and, ultimately, debilitating mental illness.

By Oisin Curran

When you think of the California Gold Rush, you probably think a lot of people made millions off that gold, right? Some did, but it wasn't from panning for it.

By Oisin Curran

Al Capone was one of the most notorious gangsters in American history, ruling the streets of Chicago with an iron fist. So why did it take tax evasion to bring him down?

By Oisin Curran

This classic celebrated its 150th anniversary of publication in 2018. With a new film adaptation coming out this month, we look at how various movie versions of "Little Women" were tweaked to fit the times.

By Oisin Curran

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Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd lived a life of crime robbing banks, stealing cars and killing his rivals. Then J. Edgar Hoover named him Public Enemy No. 1 and a massive manhunt was on.

By Oisin Curran

You know most of their names, but here are the fascinating stories of how six criminal masterminds of the old West lived and died.

By Oisin Curran

Eighty-seven years ago today, the FBI took down America's first true celebrity criminal and the country's Public Enemy No. 1.

By Oisin Curran

Well before he died, Jesse James was a legend. He was a hero even to the man who shot him in the back.

By Oisin Curran

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Billy the Kid, whose legal name was Henry McCarty, was almost certainly killed by Lincoln County, New Mexico, Sheriff Pat Garrett, though questions have always lingered about what really happened.

By Oisin Curran

Forget Ultimate Fighting. Pillow fighting is the real ultimate sport.

By Oisin Curran