Science magazine meets The Onion, Mental Floss , and Mad magazine in this ingenious guide to the science behind the news For more than a decade , the intrepid folks at whyfiles.org-the #1 science destination on the web-have been exploring the science behind newsworthy events. Now condensed into a book written with the site's characteristic wit, The Why Files features scores of articles organized into sections that mirror any city's daily newspaper: World News, Metro, Business Life, Sports, Arts & Leisure, Travel, Style, Opinion Page, and more. Who knew that science can explain why extremists say "God Told Us to Kill," how poker can make you sick, why great racehorses have big butts, and if electrocution is the best way to zap a bug? For those who love accurate science served up with humor in a one-of-a-kind newscast, this decidedly non-geeky guide is a must. "Clear, fun explanations of the science behind the headlines." - U.S. News & World Report " Provides a good mix of information and interactivity that takes the chore out of learning. In fact, you might even have a good time." - The Washington Post DAVID TENENBAUM has written about science, health, and the environment for publications including the Los Angeles Times, Technology Review and the Milwaukee Journal . TERRY DEVITT is director of research communications for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Table of Contents PENGUIN BOOKS Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Introduction HEADLINE NEWS METRO BUSINESS LIFE SPORTS ARTS & LEISURE FOOD STYLE HEALTH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY TRAVEL WEATHER HOME & GARDEN AUTO NEWS LIFE & LOVE OPINION PAGES Acknowledgements Art Credits PENGUIN BOOKS THE WHY FILES Decades ago, after “careers” in farming, barn recycling, leather-bag design, and sauerkraut pitching, David J. Tenenbaum reinvented himself as a science writer. Obsessed with understanding how things work, why they don’t, and how come we should care anyway, he’s written about science, health, and the environment for local, regional, and national publications, including the Los Angeles Times, Technology Review , abcnews.com, and the Milwaukee Journal . When asked to apply for a position at The Why Files, he responded, “Doesn’t that sound like a JOB?” but then applied anyway, and helped concoct the Files’ humorous but slightly offbeat approach to science news. His work at The Why Files has received awards from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Association for Science Writers. Tenenbaum is also coauthor of a recent college textbook on human biology and is author of several “how-to” books, written for either professional builders or rank amateurs. Terry Devitt is a cofounder and editor of The Why Files. By day, he is director of research communications for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Why Files headquarters. He writes about all areas of science, and his work has garnered recognition from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which elected him to the status of fellow in late 2007; the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education; and the Society of Professional Journalists. His freelance credits include Astronomy magazine, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Bulletin, Orion, the Los Angeles Times syndicate, and the children’s science magazine Muse. PENGUIN BOOKS Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, U.S.A. Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 2Y3 (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England Penguin Ireland, 25 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd) Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd, 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi - 110 017, India Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England First published in Penguin Books 2009 Copyright © The Stonesong Press, LLC and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, 2009 All rights reserved A Stonesong Press Book Portions of this book first appeared on-line on whyfiles.org. Illustration credits appear on page 190. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING IN PUBLICATION DATA Tenenbaum, David. The why files : the science behind the news / David Tenenbaum ; with Terry Devitt. p. cm. eISBN : 978-1-101-02924-4 1. Science—Miscellanea. I. Title. Q173.T284 2009 500—dc22 2008029566 The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the pe
