Pitara Kids Home > Discover

Science magazine for kids

Introductions for Who, what, where, when & how: 1 to 10

Where is the Rare Blind Dolphin Found?

This freshwater dolphin is found in the two great river systems of south Asia: the Ganga in India and the Indus in Pakistan. It has eyes but no sight and judges distances through echoes. And its numbers are decreasing. Read on ...

What is Water Harvesting?

We allow most of our rain water to run into the drains. Simple rural techniques of water storage show us how we can actually use this water in the dry months. Read on ...

Why Does Water stay Cool in 'Matkas'?

A glass of water kept in the sun becomes boiling hot, but water in an earthen pitcher is refreshingly cool. How does the earthen pitcher keep water cool? Read on ...

Why do Locusts Swarm?

New research shows that tickling the tiny hair on the hind legs of grasshoppers make them swarm and turn into dangerous locusts. These locust swarms can travel across countries and are capable of stripping a field in a matter of hours. Read on ...

Why can’t the Sun melt Snow?

Sunlight carries heat with it. This heat is enought to melt ice, but ice is transparent. Sunlight penetrates thick layers of ice without making it melt. Read on ...

How do Satellites Stay Up?

Satellites orbit the earth because of the force of gravity. To understand why this happens and why the satellite does not get pulled in and fall, we have to understand what forces do. Read on ...

How does a Submarine Work?

A submarine is a type of boat which can travel either on or under water. The principle that air is lighter than water is what makes this possible. Read on ...

Why do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?

Look at a cat fall from a height. You expect it to hurt itself, but it doesn't. This is because cats have an in-built mechanism to adjust their position during a sudden fall. Read on ...

What is the Software for Life?

Like computers, our bodies have a software code called the genetic code which makes it run. Read on ...

Why are Some Reptiles Brightly Coloured?

Their intention is not to attract others. It is just the opposite. The bright colour is a warning by these poisonous reptiles to their predators - don't mess with us. Read on ...

What does SOS mean?

No one knows whether it is Save Our Souls or Save our Ship but they all know SOS is a coded signal for help used by ships, planes and stranded people in distress the world over. Read on ...

What are Truffles?

They look like potato nuggets but are mushrooms. Found in France and Italy these food delicacies are extremely expensive and in great demand. Read on ...

When will the Oceans of the Earth Overflow?

Every year a great amount of water is added to the oceans. Will they overflow then? Read on ...

Why are Eggs Oval?

The shape of the egg has an important use. It protects the chick inside, until it is time for it to break out of its shell. Read on ...

Why do Beavers Build Dams?

They are the engineers of the animal kingdom and use their building skills to raise families and escape preying animals. Read on ...

Why Do Stars Twinkle?

The sun is also a star. But it does not twinkle. Wonder why stars do? Read on ...

How does Dew Form?

A warm, clear day followed by a cool evening is the magic formula for dew drops to form. Read on ...

The Colours of Light

A beam of light seems to have no colour. Actually it is made up of coloured light rays that can be seen at certain times. Read on ...

Why do Ears Pop?

I was flying home. As the aircraft climbed up, my ears hurt. A fellow passenger asked me swallow air a few times. It helped. Read on ...

Why do Horses Need Shoes?

It is only when a horse is carrying a rider or a heavy load, that it needs shoes. Read on ...

Why do Turtles and Tortoises Live So Long?

Unlike humans and birds their bodies do not become weak with age. They continue to grow for as long as they live. Read on ...

Why do Rabbits have Buck Teeth?

These vegetarian animals have buck teeth so that they can fight plants with thorns and chemicals, and have them as food. Read on ...

Why do Plants Bear Fruit?

Plants use human beings, animals and birds who eat their fruits, to spread their seeds far and wide... Read on ...

Why do we See a Face on the Moon?

There are deep holes or craters and hills on the Moon's surface. We look at the uneven surface and see it as a face. Read on ...

Why are Some Plants Non-vegetarian?

Insect-eating plants are found in places with an acidic soil. Such soil lacks nutrients essential for the plant to make food. Read on ...

Elevator Physics

What is the secret behind feeling momentarily weightless in an elevator? Do we really weigh as much as our weighing scale shows us? A little elevator physics made simple. Read on ...

How does a Nuclear Bomb differ from a conventional bomb?

Both kill, cause large scale destruction, and pollute the air. There the comparison ends, for the mass destructive power of the nuclear bomb over time and space knows no limits. Read on ...

Why don't Birds on a wire get a shock?

Touching a high voltage wire is extremely dangerous, yet crows and sparrows, perched on these wires, never get a shock - apparently all that current coursing right below them, leaves them quite unruffled. Read on ...

What is the Mystery of Dracula?

Vampires have been a part of myths and legends all over the world. People of Translyvania are now using the legend of Count Dracula to build a theme park... Read on ...

Why do we have Wrinkly Fingers After Swimming?

After a long bath or swimming session, you end up with raisin like fingers. What could be the reason? Read on ...

Who Invented The Pen?

The modern pen and pencil have come a long way since their humble cave beginnings - from stones, bones, twigs and feathers. Read on ...

How Wool Came Into Existence

Wool was probably the first fibre to be woven into a textile, when early humans switched their primary roles from hunters to herders. Read on ...

What is the Origin of Silk Fabric?

The Chinese discovered the magic of silk 10,000 years ago and kept it to themselves for two thousand years before the world came to know of the most zealously guarded secrets in history. Read on ...

Where did Shoes come from?

Footwear has a history which goes back many thousands of years. Scientists estimate the first shoes were made from animal skins during the Ice Age 5000,000 years ago! Read on ...

Who invented Hello?

When the scientist Thomas Alva Edison said hello over the newly invented telephone, the whole world thought he was the one to coin the word. But hello, that's not true. Read on ...

Why doesn't our stomach get digested?

Our stomach contains acid strong enough to corrode metal and dissolve complex molecules. However, our stomach doesn't burn under its influence. How does that happen? Read on ...

Do Whales and Dolphins see Blue?

Whales and dolphins both live in the deep blue seas. However, both these creatures are unable to see the colour blue. This is because their eyes lack the cells that register blue colour. Read on ...

Why does the Sun follow You?

No matter how fast you drive, the sun never gets left behind. This is because of the enormous distance between earth and sun. The sun always remains in our field of vision. Read on ...

Cigarette Packs that Talk

This is an anti-tobacco activist's dream. It plays a health warning when you open a cigarette pack. Read on ...

What are Volcanic Tubeworms?

When scientists in the University of Southern California rear tubeworms, they keep the immature worms refrigerator cold and under high pressure. Read on ...

What is the origin of OK?

Is it from the Greek ‘ola kala’ meaning ‘it is good’, or the initials OK written by freight merchant Obeidah Kelly on the documents he checked? Or could it be a mere accident of language! Read on ...

What is an ISBN Number?

With millions of books and thousands of publishers, how does one identify a specific title or special edition? International Standard Book Numbering is a simple method that is used to identify books. Read on ...

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Scientists are creating new software programs which try to recreate the process of human learning in a computer, in an attempt to make them 'think'. Read on ...

What is the Weight of Air?

Sitting, standing, inside, outside, there is an immense weight over your head, but you don't feel it! This is the weight of the atmosphere - or air, as we know it. Read on ...

What is the Trail behind a Jet?

No, the white trail left behind by a jet aircraft is not the fairies' trail - it is actually a cloud! Read on ...

Why's it hard for Ketchup to flow?

Overturn a sauce bottle untouched for some time, and the sauce will either not flow, or fall as a blob. But shake the bottle and the gooey ketchup will flow more freely! Read on ...

Why is the Dead Sea dead?

The Dead Sea is a lake that lies between Jordan and Israel. The water in the lake is so dense, it cannot support any aquatic life. Read on ...

What Makes the Egg Shell so Strong?

Egg shells can be crushed with very little force. Then how is it that they don't even crack when a mother hen sits on them to hatch them? Read on ...

How Does Ice float?

Water behaves strangely on being cooled. All substances contract on cooling. But water starts expanding after being cooled beyond a certain point... Read on ...

Which Mammal lays Eggs?

It looks like a beaver, has a bill like a duck, walks like a lizard and lays eggs, but it is a mammal. What is it? Read on ...

How Does Satellite TV Work?

Have you ever wondered how the same television programmes can be viewed by millions of people across the world? Read on ...

What were the Voyager Missions?

The Voyager spacecraft covered millions of miles through space to study the farther planets of the solar system. Read on ...

Why do we Blink?

Everyone blinks. But this seemingly useless action is in reality, very useful. It protects the eyes from all the dust and pollution around us. Read on ...

What is Cloning?

A sheep named Dolly is the twin sister of her own mother. Genetic engineers have been able to accomplish this feat by cloning the sheep. Humans could follow suit... Read on ...

What is a Ham Radio?

Ham radio enables people to communicate with other people across the globe without using telephones or satellites. They are simple, inexpensive and easy to operate. Read on ...

What is a Volcano?

Volcanoes are so powerful, they can create new land masses and islands. Our earth is like a giant pressure cooker steaming, smoking... Read on ...

How Will our Sun Die?

Everything that is born has to die. The sun will too. And it will be quite a dramatic event. Read on ...

What is Pluto - a Star or a Comet?

Pluto is the farthest planet in the solar system. But astronomers are now challenging Pluto's claim to being a planet. Read on ...

Which Book Carries its Own Light?

It has long been known that when certain materials absorb energy, they may throw it back in the form of light. Scientists are using these materials to create books which emit light and can be read even in the dark. Read on ...

How do Animals Communicate?

Animals are capable of long distance communication. And they don't require any electronic devices to do so. Read on ...

Which Galaxy is Visible to the Eye?

The Andromeda galaxy is the nearest and the brightest galaxy. It is twice as big as our Milky Way. You can actually see it on any clear winter night. Read on ...

How can We Use Water to run Cars?

Is it possible to run a car on water? No, it is not a joke, the fuel cell does exactly that - it converts water into electricity. Read on ...

What is Geothermal Energy?

Deep inside the earth most of the material remains in a super heated molten state. Scientists are now using this heat to generate electricity. It is free and clean. Read on ...

How is Paper Perfumed?

Nowadays, you can sometimes sample a perfume advertised in a magazine, in the advertisement itself. Ever wondered how this happened? Read on ...

What is Cotton Candy?

A trip to a fair feels incomplete without having a sweet, fluffy cotton candy. The cotton candy is actually nothing but sugar spun into tiny threads. Read on ...

Why is the Ball-point Pen Called So?

The ink used in a ball-point pen is thicker than the ink used in a fountain pen. The pen writes because a tiny ball placed at the tip of the ball-point pen rotates when we write.. Read on ...

Why does Cola Fizz?

Cola is among the favourite drinks in the world. Its sweet tangy taste is something everyone likes. Actually the cola gets its fizz from the carbon dioxide dissolved in it. Read on ...

Why do Some Snore More than Others?

Snoring is a common sleep disorder. It occurs when the muscles at the back of throat relax during sleep. Read on ...

How Far Away are the Stars?

Stars are thousands and thousands of miles away. But how do astronomers calculate this distance... Read on ...

Why's the Sun Red at Sunrise and Sunset?

At daybreak, the sun appears as a reddish ball. It gives way to a golden-white sheen as the day advances and reappears as an orange ball at the time of setting. Does the sun really change colour or does it only seem so? Read on ...

What is a Kangaroo Rat?

Its hind legs are larger than its fore legs and the rat uses its tail to balance itself. It even hops around like a kangaroo. And this desert creature requires practically no water to survive. Read on ...

Why do Humans Sweat?

As the Indian summer approaches the rickety air coolers come out of the closets. But do you know that our bodies have their own system of cooling? And that involves sweating... Read on ...

Why do Ants walk in a Line?

Look carefully. The little black dashes on the wall are ants walking in a line. It is their way of finding their way about without the help of gadgets like compasses. Read on ...

What is the potato - fruit or root?

The potato is a stem that grows under the ground, the onion is actually a leaf. These are ways by which plants have adapted themselves to their surroundings, to store water and food. Read on ...

Who's the Brainiest of Them All?

Chimpanzees share 99 per cent of the human DNA that determines inherited characteristics in people. And female birds can spot the better of two male songbirds in minutes, while experts take three hours over it! Read on ...

How do Earthquakes Happen?

The shaking of the earth caused by a sudden shifting of rocks below its surface, is called an earthquake. Through a simple experiment understand the process. Read on ...

What is the Secret of the Windmill?

A pinwheel that turns in the wind is fun to play with. But when the wind turns the blades of a windmill, it has the power to pump water and produce electricity! For countries like Holland, the windmill is a big windfall. Read on ...

Why do We Cup our Hands when We Shout?

Have you ever noticed what you do when you have to shout? You cup your hands around your mouth when you shout? Do you know that there is a 'sound' reason behind this gesture? Read on ...

Who stole the Candle Wax?

The size of a candle reduces as it burns. But where does all the wax disappear? To unravel this secret you need to know what a candle is made of. Read on ...

What is the Ozone Hole?

The cricketer or the person on the beach wears that 'white paint' as protection against the harmful rays of the sun. This increased exposure to these rays is because human actions have reduced the earth's safety blanket of the ozone layer. Read on ...

Why do Aeroplanes have Wings?

Be it the condor (eagle) or the Concorde, their flying feats stem from their wings. To understand how it happens you have to realise the power of the wind that rushes past the wings... Read on ...

What does a Train Whistle Tell Us about the Universe?

Ever noticed how an approaching train's whistle gets louder, fading as it moves away? The scientist Doppler studied this mystery. Wonder of wonders, his discovery - the Doppler effect - can also be used to understand the secret of our expanding universe. Read on ...

Why do Meteorites Strike the Earth?

In the same way as a fast-moving carom striker hits the coins, many small rocks and heavenly objects encircling the sun head for the earth, attracted by its gravitational pull. When they hit the earth, it can sometimes be fatal - they made the dinosaurs extinct. Read on ...

A Swing in the Tale

Why does a cricket bowl swing? Is it magic or does it have a science behind it. Read and find out. Read on ...

How is Jelly Formed?

Cool and sweet, that red transparent blob of jelly looks so inviting. You know what makes it set so? It's gelatine, which in turn is made from an animal tissue called collagen. Read on ...

Naming Stars

Did you ever think you could pay and buy a star? Sounds strange, doesn't it? Well, it is happening! Read on ...

Why does Milk spill over when it Boils?

Very often when you put the milk to boil, it spills. Have you wondered why this happens? Read on ...

What Happens After an Earthquake?

An earthquake can change the topography of a region. The greatest land mountain range and the long undersea mountain range below the Pacific and Antarctic Oceans are the aftermath of enormous quakes that rocked the earth. Read on ...

What to do During an Earthquake?

An earthquake is literally an earth shattering experience. Buildings may collapse and people are trapped under falling debris. It is best to be prepared for such emergencies and know what to do and what not to do. Read on ...

How are Earthquakes Recorded?

When an earthquake occurs, it generates energy that travels across the surface of the earth at a speed of several kilometres per second. A network of seismographic stations measures these waves and tabulates them on a Richter Scale. Read on ...

What is an Earthquake?

An earthquake is the sudden release of energy from below the surface of the earth. Stress in the earth's outer layer causes a pushing effect against a fracture between two plates. This releases energy in waves that we feel during an earthquake. Read on ...

What are Komodo Dragons?

Though called dragons, the Komodo dragon is a lizard found in the Komodo islands of Indonesia. Komodo dragons are also the world’s largest lizards measuring over 10 feet and weighing over 130 kilograms. Read on ...

Why are Zebras Striped?

These black and white striped animals are distant cousins of the horses. They are found only in Africa and are virtually untamable. One would think the stripes would make them very conspicuous but among the tall grass the pattern is an excellent camouflage. Read on ...

Can Two People have Identical Fingerprints?

If you were to press your thumb on an inkpad and then on a sheet of white paper you will leave a smudge or print, which no one else in the world can make. Each print is totally unique and they remain practically unchanged from a person’s birth to death. Read on ...

Who or What is a Gladiator?

The ancient Romans staged games where men called gladiators, fought with others for sport. Called the games or circus, the spectacle was first held in the market place and later at the Colosseum, and staged for Caesar and Rome. Read on ...

How did the Pineapple get its Name?

Ananas originates from South America. To the early Spanish voyagers this curious fruit had an abrasive, segmented exterior like a pinecone and inside a firm interior pulp like an apple. So combining the two they called it ‘pineapple’. Read on ...

Who discovered Vaccination?

We have all been vaccinated against various diseases while we were kids. To kids all over the world it is a very scary and painful experience when the time comes to roll up the sleeves and count the seconds before the pinprick of the injection. Read on ...

What is Leukaemia?

Wrongly referred to as blood cancer, it is actually cancer of the bone marrow. Years ago, a person with leukaemia was considered really hopeless. Today, advances in modern drugs have led to enormous improvements in survival and cure rates. Read on ...

Why do we Yawn?

If you thought yawning indicated that you were bored and tired, think again. New research indicates that yawning actually perks people up! Read on ...

Why do Onions Make us Cry?

At the very first chop into this vegetable, you end up shedding copious tears as if someone is taking a stick at you. Is this the vegetable’s way of saying don’t take a knife and cut me? Read on ...

Why do Clocks Run Clockwise?

Our lives are constantly dictated by time. We rush in and rush out trying to meet various schedules in our lives. But have you ever stopped to think why the needles of the clock run in a certain way? Read on ...

Why is Snow White?

Winter in certain countries heralds snow. Children love to play in it either on sleds or on ice skates as the lakes and rivers freeze in the cold. Others go to mountain resorts and ski on the snow covered slopes. Read on ...

Which is the World's Oldest Working Locomotive?

Built in 1855 and used as a mail hauling locomotive, troop transporter, construction engine and later a display item, the Fairy Queen has come a long way. If you are lucky you can even hitch a ride. Read on ...

What are the Various Jazz Styles?

The ability of jazz musicians to improvise constantly on their music is the reason why jazz has so many exciting forms to it. Read on ...

Where did Jazz Originate?

With origins in the soulful blues sung by African slaves in America, Jazz has evolved into one of the modern world's most enduring musical forms. Read on ...

Which is the Most Abundant Fruit in India?

The king of fruits, mango, is a hot favourite to many people. This golden yellow fruit is usually associated with summers, but today is available the year round and in what variety….Phew! Read on ...

How Did Advertising Start in India?

The earliest ads were simple messages classified into different categories. Today, Indian advertising has grown into a huge industry making many brands household names in the process. Read on ...

Where does the Pigeon Post Operate?

The first recorded instance was in Iraq over eight centuries ago. But in this day of mobile phones, the police of Orissa in India still employs pigeon couriers to carry mail. Read on ...

How does the Army Post Office System Work?

It's the one thing a soldier away from home looks forward to: mail. Serving over a million soldiers across the length and breadth of the country and in remote inaccessible places, the army post office makes it all possible. Read on ...

Which is the Oldest Church in India?

The Church at Palayur, in Trichur district, Kerala had its altar consecrated by Apostle Thomas Didaemus himself in 52 A.D. It still stands, though the altar itself is enclosed inside a new building built in 17th century. Read on ...

How did Christianity Come to India?

There are many schools of thought on this but Christianity most probably originated with the arrival of Apostle Thomas Didaemus (Doubting Thomas) in 52 A.D. at Kerala. Read on ...

How Did Santa Claus Originate?

Ho-ho-ho goes a merry red robed figure with white whiskers distributing toys and gifts to children. Is there a Santa really? Why don't you try writing to him to the post office at Napapiiri, Finland? Read on ...

Why do People Kiss Under the Mistletoe?

Custom has it that a man is allowed to kiss a girl if she is standing under the mistletoe. This dates back to the ancient Celtic religion that considered the mistletoe sacred and so hung it outside the door. Read on ...

Why Did GMT Become the Prime Time?

Greenwich Mean Time was adopted early in the last century as the discrepancies between different time zones in different cities made the postal and railway systems inefficient. Read on ...

What is Daylight Saving Time?

Ever wondered why every country has a different time zone? Daylight Saving Time is a concept where clocks are put forward or backward in summer and winter to save electricity and energy. Read on ...

How are Frogs Different From Toads?

Frogs and toads belong to the same order. They have been on earth for over 200 million years and have adapted themselves to live in extreme conditions. Read on ...

What or Where is the Tower of Babel?

The Bible says the tower existed, but archaeologists have never found it and there is only a confusion of noises from scientists who are not sure where the Tower of Babel is. Read on ...

What is Thanksgiving?

The harvest festival that began as a feast of thanks to Native Americans for introducing new crops to settlers in America, remains one of the country s major festivals, today. Read on ...

Where did the Yo-Yo Originate?

From China to Greece, children have played with various versions of the yo-yo. This toy that runs up and down a string is the second oldest toy in the world after the doll. Read on ...

Who Invented the Photocopying Machine?

No office is complete without the photocopying machine. But it took its inventor, Chester Carlson, a long time to develop it and watch it become a success. Read on ...

Where are the Shaking Minarets?

Among the many architectural marvels of the world are the astonishing shaking minarets in Ahmedabad city, India. When one tower is shaken, the other too vibrates in sympathy! Read on ...

What is Esperanto?

An artificial international language created in the last century by Dr Zamenhof, Esperanto is the easiest language to learn, and today spoken by over 10 million people. Read on ...

Why do we Celebrate April Fool's Day?

Initially the new year began on April 1. But the introduction of the Gregorian calendar changed all that. Those still celebrating new year on April 1 were called April fools . Read on ...

Why is the Bridge of Sighs so Called?

Among the 400 or so bridges across the waterways of Venice, is this bridge built in the year 1600. The bridge connects the prison to the duke's palace, where the dreaded inquisitor's office was located in medieval times. Read on ...

Why do Aircrafts Have a Black Box?

On a wreckage site, a black box is the first thing that police investigators look for. What makes it so important and why do all aircrafts carry one? Read on ...

Why Do we Get Tired?

After a hard day's work or play we feel so tired we can barely concentrate. This is because our body produces a kind of toxin that makes our muscles tired. We require rest and sleep to refresh and reenergise ourselves again. Read on ...

What Kind of Horses did Knights Ride?

Knights wore heavy metal armour to protect themselves against spears, swords or arrows. They rode heavy horses that could take this weight and both horse and man fought as one in battle. Read on ...

How did the Modern Horse Originate?

The ancestor of the modern horse looked like a large fox and had four toes! Over many millions of years this animal changed with the change in environment to become the modern horse. Read on ...

Why Don't Spiders Get Caught in Their Webs?

Spider webs are made of sticky silk threads used by the spider to trap its prey. Hard bristles under their feet help the spider to slide over these threads like a skater on ice. Read on ...

How do Spiderwebs Help Skydivers?

A spider's silken web is the strongest natural structure in the world yet it is lighter than a feather. Scientists are now trying to make parachutes of spider silk to aid skydivers. Read on ...

Why was the Berlin Wall Built?

After World War II Germany was split into East and West. In 1961, a wall was erected at Berlin dividing the city also into East and West. It took 28 years for the two nations to patch up differences and bring down. Read on ...

Who Invented Traffic Lights?

Long before cars came on roads, traffic light signals were being used to control horse carriages and buggies. However, it was Garrett Morgan who invented the automatic traffic light that is still in use today. Read on ...

Who Invented Band-aid?

This small sticky plaster with sterile gauze in the centre to prevent dust and germs from entering a wound, was invented by an employee of Johnson & Johnson for his accident-prone wife. Today, it is a necessary item in every household. Read on ...

When was the First Circumnavigation by Air?

The first circumnavigation of the earth by air in 1924, took 175 days. Over sixty years later, the Voyager did the same in nine days, three minutes and 44 seconds nonstop, and without refuelling too. Read on ...

Why were the 1904 Olympics Such a Disaster?

The first modern Olympics in 1896 were held to promote goodwill and to test the skills of humans in sporting categories. But did it? The 1904 Games introduced categories such as mud fighting... Read on ...

How Did the Indian Postal Service Start?

From having runners carrying mail to issuing the world's first circular stamp, to developing the world's largest postal network, the Indian postal service has come a long way. Read on ...

Who Sold the Eiffel Tower Twice?

Victor Lustig was the undoubted king of confidence tricksters. Among his other scams he even managed to sell the Eiffel Tower to two separate businessmen! Read on ...

What is Memory?

Our brain is like a large filing compartment where we store everything we see, hear and read. We can recall things that happened long ago by drawing on the memory-filing cabinet in it. Read on ...

What are Go-Go Boots?

Introduced in the mid 1960s, these calf-length boots made a fashion statement. Today, fashion has come a full circle with platform high sandals. Read on ...

Where is the Twins Day Festival Held?

Every year on the first weekend in August a festival is held at Twinsburg, Ohio, USA, to honour twins. This year drew a record 2,736 pairs of twins from all over the world. Read on ...

What is the Rubik's Cube?

A multi-coloured cube that could be twisted and turned around, it was the rage with both children and adults. How did this craze begin? Read on ...

Where Did Piggy Banks Come From?

Kids and adults all over the world use the piggy bank to save up for a rainy day. It is everyone's personal savings bank. Read on ...

What are Q-Tips?

Q-Tips are three-inch cardboard pieces with cotton at each end. Sometimes they are used to clean the ears, remove dust from delicate instruments or just used as a swab. Read on ...

Who was the US President for a Day?

Senate leader David Atchison was sworn in on March 4, 1849 as President pro-tem of the United States as James Polk's term of office expired and the next President, Zachary Taylor, refused to be sworn in on a Sunday. Read on ...

How Does a Helicopter Hover?

A helicopter is a unique flying machine that can fly forward, backward, upward or sideward. It can also stay in mid-air over a particular spot. This is done by changing the pitch of the propeller blades. Read on ...

How do Nails Grow?

Long or short, painted or plain, yours, mine and everyone else's nails are made of the same protein called keratin. They protect the fingertips and toes and help you grab things. Read on ...

How do Human Cannonballs Fly?

A person enters a huge cannon and when the fuse is lit, he comes shooting out with a bang, flying in the air before landing on a net! How does he do it? Read on ...

How do we Balance Ourselves on Two Legs?

Four-year-old Rahul couldn't understand what was unusual about his 10-month-old sister taking her first unsteady steps. He had taken it for granted. But it takes time and dedication to teach the child to Read on ...

Why is Halloween Celebrated?

Its origins lie in an ancient Celtic and Roman festival, but Halloween today holds little relevance for most people except children. Read on ...

Who or What is the real McCoy?

A black man in 1870 America had no chance of making it anywhere, even though slavery had been abolished. But Elijah McCoy, a mechanical engineer stunned the world by designing one innovative product after another. Read on ...

What Toothpaste did the Ancients Use?

The fluoride wonder that we use today seems very tame compared to the mixture of powdered ashes of oxen hooves, pumice and a powdery mix of burnt eggshells, used in Egypt 5000 years ago! Read on ...

What is Mad Cow Disease?

Sometime back, an epidemic raced through British cattle, causing them to behave abnormally and die. Then, 10 people died from a rare brain disease resulting from eating contaminated meat. Read on ...

How did the Teddy Bear Get Its Name?

Recently, 40 giant stuffed teddies were auctioned for a charitable cause, in Monaco. But the teddy is used to fame, having got its name after America's 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt, 98 years ago. Read on ...

Who are the Insect Farmers?

We have all learnt that civilisation began when early humans gave up hunting for farming. But, interestingly, certain ant species were actually farming fungus much before humans learnt how to farm. Read on ...

Why do Plants Lean Toward Sunlight?

Plants are living things. Most plants need sunlight to make their food. Kept inside a room, a plant will grow towards the window through which light streams in. Read on ...

Where did Coffee Originate?

For many Indians drinking coffee is a way of life. Its heady aroma often makes them forget where it came from - the Arabs. Read on ...

What Kind of Creatures are Sharks?

Found in every ocean of the world, sharks are the most misunderstood creatures. To many, a good shark is a dead one. In fact, sharks play a useful role in the ocean ecosystem. Read on ...

How did Sign Language Originate?

Some people are born with a hearing or speech impairment. While some learn to talk with special instructions, others converse using gestures, facial expression and the finger alphabet. Read on ...

Why is Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow?

Why do some people have curly red hair while mine is straight and black? Why do we have it in the first place? Does shampooing hair help it grow? Read on ...

How Bad is the Sting of a Scorpion?

Scorpions have a unique self-defence weapon. They use a poisonous sting to paralyse and kill. But despite their murderous reputation, only 20 species out of 120 across the world have venom dangerous to humans. Read on ...

Why Do Knuckles Pop?

Ever laced your fingers and bent your fingers back? And did you hear a distinctive CRACKing sound? The sound comes when bubbles in the fluid around the joint burst! Read on ...

How Can We Correct Crooked Teeth?

Do you know how your smile lights up your face? Unfortunately some of us have crooked teeth. However, this can be corrected through means of metal clips and braces. Read on ...

How Did Pencils Originate?

We use pencils everyday, in school, at home, in offices, everywhere. Not many of us know that writing implements were used 2000 years ago! Read on ...

Where Did Numerals Originate?

We use numbers all the time. At math class, while counting money, using the telephone, etc. We are so used to numbers that it has never occurred to us to find out where these numbers come from. Read on ...

How do Houseflies Spread Diseases?

Beware of the housefly! Whether it is rubbing its legs together or feeding itself, its slightest actions could be contaminating your food. Read on ...

Who Invented the Frisbee?

An American baker named Frisbie started it all by packing pies and cookies into round tins that students of Yale University tossed around for fun more than a 100 years ago. Read on ...

Which Film Stars were Inventors Too?

Yes, Hollywood star Hedy Lamarr thought of guiding torpedoes with radio signals and tough guy Steve Mcqueen invented the bucket seat that is the backbone of the automobile industry the world over today. Read on ...

What is Cloud Seeding?

Can we control when and where it will rain? It seems unimaginable, but it's true. However, the days of drought are far from over, as cloud seeding still needs one simple thing - a cloud! Read on ...

How does a Juggler Juggle?

Clowns juggle balls, knives, plates -- anything. The world famous Massachusettes Institute of Technology, US, has even investigated the art and science of juggling, a sport more than 3000 years old. Read on ...

What Kind of Animals are Orcas?

They are called killer whales but actually belong to the dolphin family. They are also sometimes mistaken for the shark because of their characteristic six-foot tall dorsal fin. Read on ...

What s Biting the Flea?

Less than an inch long, these spiny parasitic insects suck the blood of birds and mammals. A female flea consumes 15 times its body weight in blood daily. Read on ...

What is Physiotherapy?

After a month in a cast, or six months in bed, we can't just jump up and get going. Exercise-therapy gets those disused muscles back in shape. Read on ...

The Hows and Whys of Bubble Gum

All kids love to chew it. Some even blow huge bubbles that never burst! Doctors even think it helps to control stress. Made from chicle, a kind of resin, the little gum is a favourite with the young and old alike. Read on ...

How Many Kinds of Rhinos are There?

Shy, solitary creatures, these animals are on the edge of extinction as poachers hunt them for the unusual horn on their nose. Read on ...

Why do Doctors Examine the Pulse?

It s the most visible indicator that our body s engine is running. Doctors love checking this mysterious sound coming out of our bodies. What is it? Read on ...

Where Do Penguins Live?

Although penguins are seen on icy landscapes, they are found only in the southern hemisphere. Penguins are flightless but use their short wings to steer underwater in search of food. Read on ...

Do Plants Feed on Other Plants?

Plants produce food from sunlight and soil through a substance called chlorophyll present in their leaves. However, some plants lack chlorophyll. So they live off other plants or dead animals for their food. Read on ...

Why do Some People Stutter?

Stuttering or stammering is a disorder that interferes with the flow of speech. Though difficult to treat, it can be controlled through psychotherapy or speech therapy. Read on ...

Why are Human Voices Different?

Our voices are as distinct as fingerprints. There's more to how we sound than just the larynx or voice box. Read on ...

What are Underground Rivers?

These hidden rivers flow below the surface of the earth, and come up at the most unusual of places. Read on ...

How Does the Steam Engine Work?

The first steam engine tooted off almost two hundred years ago. Today, this relic from the industrial revolution is running only in very few parts of the world. Read on ...

Why is the Mediterranean Sea Blue?

The Mediterranean Sea is one of several to merge into the Atlantic Ocean. The surprising thing is, you can actually make out the point where the merging takes place. Read on ...

How did the Safety Match Originate?

Making a fire is no easy task. From the primitive method of striking flint stones together, to the modern safety match, people have been trying their best to make the sparks fly! Read on ...

How Do Fish Survive in Icy Waters?

Their lives have remained almost unchanged for millions of years in the freezing Arctic and Antarctic regions, making it possible for them to adapt themselves to these particular patterns of existence. Read on ...

What is Blood Pressure?

When stress or anger crosses a threshold, they say "he popped a vessel" or "her BP hit the roof". What exactly is this BP doctors routinely love to measure? Read on ...

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a very common disease that affects the lungs. The disease is mostly caused by allergies. Sharp attacks cause shortness of breath, wheezing and gasping. Read on ...

Why is it Harder to Walk Uphill?

To buy his ice-cream, Raju came down five flights of stairs in a jiffy. But he found it really painful to climb the same flight of stairs on his way upstairs. Read on ...

How do Flush Toilets Work?

Today, the flush toilet is a necessity in every home. Just one flush, and all the muck is whooshed away. Do you know, that a simple mechanism guides its actions? Read on ...

Why do Woollens Get Holes?

You packed your woollens and rugs away during the long hot summer. You even liberally added mothballs. Yet they developed small holes in them. Why? Read on ...

What are Canal Locks?

They are watertight chambers that help ships and boats go up or down different levels on rivers or canals. Man-made canals like the Panama were built to connect water bodies to cut short the distance for ships. Read on ...

Why do Earthquakes Occur?

To get rid of the stress deep inside it, the earth quakes every now and then. In doing so, the earthquake often leaves behind a trail of destruction. Read on ...

What kind of Family Life did the Dinosaurs Have?

Recent discoveries have made scientists realise that dinosaurs lived in large families and even had common nesting grounds. Read on ...

Why do we Get Hiccups?

You are busy in a conversation and suddenly burst out into uncontrollable hiccups. What are the hiccups and why do we get them? Read on ...