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How Backpacking Works
Backpacking immerses you in nature's magnificence, with one minor stipulation: Carry everything you need to survive on your back. Can you bear the load of food, water and shelter?
How can succulents go days without water?
From wriggling amoebas to roving rhinos, everything that lives on Earth needs one superstar element to survive: water. But succulents need a little less than some of their thirstier counterparts.
Are sand dunes really alive?
Sand dunes belch, moan and hum. They roll across the desert, seeking out new locales. You might even say they breed. It's no wonder people call these giant sand formations lifelike.
Why does the Army have a Javelin missile simulator?
Javelin missiles cost up to $80,000 each. So how does the U.S. Army afford to train its soldiers to use them? And what happens when someone fires one of these pricey missiles?
Backpacking
Go Without Water
Sand Dunes
Javelin Missile Simulator
How Agent Orange Worked
The Vietnam War occurred decades ago, but one of its legacies lingers in the soil of the Vietnamese countryside and in the U.S. court system. How did this infamous defoliant do so much damage?
Is insulation dangerous?
Insulation might look like cotton candy, but it's a little more practical. It's great for keeping your house warm, but some say it's just as bad for your health as asbestos.
Is cyberwar coming?
Hackers can disable digital infrastructure in a matter of minutes. Is it only a matter of time before countries attack one another's computers? Or have they already started?
How McDonald's Works
No matter what critics say about McDonald's, some people are loyal fans. You count on that old, familiar taste at a price that's easy on the wallet. But what's the secret to Mickey D's success?
Agent Orange
Dangerous Insulation
Cyberwar
McDonald's
HowStuffWorks TV
You read that right: HowStuffWorks has hit prime time TV. Tune in to the show on Discovery Channel Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST/PST. Can't wait? Check out this week's topic: Why are turkeys genetically modified?
Is there something in turkey that makes you sleepy?
It's Thanksgiving Day and your waistband is groaning. You're heavy-lidded as you lift one more forkful of pumpkin pie to your mouth. Some say that tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey, is the reason you want a nap after Thanksgiving dinner.
How Thanksgiving Works
Some see Thanksgiving as an example of the possibility of great respect and cooperation between two different cultures. Today, many associate the holiday less with pilgrims and American Indians and more with football and turkey.
How Timber Works
Log cabins may be a historical footnote and fossil fuels may reign supreme, but forests remain critical natural resources. What does the future hold for Paul Bunyan's favorite industry?
HSW TV Show
Sleepy From Turkey
Thanksgiving
Coming soon: How Timber Works
