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How Does a Lie Detector (Polygraph) Work?

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You may know a bit about polygraphs, but do you know which physical reactions it actually monitors?

How Does a Seismograph Work?

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A seismograph can accurately measure the movement of the Earth during a quake. How does a seismograph work, though, and what is the Richter scale that is associated with earthquakes? Learn the answers to these questions in this article.

How Does a Silencer Work?

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How in the world can a gun silencer work? How can you possibly take an explosive noise that can damage your hearing and turn it into a little "ffft" sound?

How Does an Invisibility Cloak Work?

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With optical-camouflage technology, the invisibility cloak is a reality. Learn what it is.

How Donating Your Body to Science Works

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There's a great need for people to donate their bodies to science but not many people think about doing it. What happens to your body after you make that decision?

How Dopamine Works

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You could call dopamine the most misunderstood neurochemical in the brain. It's allegedly the cause of people getting addicted to drugs, chocolate or video games. But what does really dopamine do?

How Dragons Work

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Dragons have captured imaginations -- and their fair share of maidens -- across the globe. But are they more than mythological?

How Dreams Work

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Dreams combine verbal, visual and emotional stimuli into mystifying storylines. Learn about dreams, the meaning of common dreams, REM and controlling dreams.

How Drone Strikes Work

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We know how drone strikes are supposed to work: After careful monitoring, the bad guy is targeted and taken out. The reality is often much hazier - and deadlier.

How Drought Works

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What happens when the rains cease and water levels dry up precipitously? Everything from abundant grasses to apex predators suffers the consequences.