In 17th, 18th, and 19th century Europe, there were potentially 200 reported cases of spontaneous human combustion, where bodies were burned away, leaving limbs behind and no apparent source of of the flames. These cases captured the popular imagination, showing up often in literature of the time.

So, is it possible for a human body to burst into flames without warning? The similarities between these cases have lead modern scientists to fascinating conclusions.

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Hosted by Annie Colbert
Reported by Lauren Leffer
Editing and graphics by Avital Oehler
Written and produced by Matt Silverman

Whether you’re pro-Daylight Savings or pro-Standard Time, the science is clear: Switching *between* the two every year is terrible for human health.

So why haven’t we stuck with one system all year? The answer is both scientific AND political.

Hosted by Annie Colbert
Reported by Tom Hawking
Edited by Avital Oehler
Written and Produced by Matt Silverman

Ummm, no.

Earth is messy. So can’t we just send our junk somewhere else? Aside from the moral quandaries raised by such poor stewardship of our already disheveled solar system, Earthlings probably haven’t made a habit of beaming literal garbage into space yet because we simply can’t afford to.

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#pollution #science #space