Leeches Reconsidered
Modern medicine sucks it up
They're not just for bloodletting anymore! Those slimy, wriggly creatures that you always want to avoid when camping turn out to have legitimate uses in modern medicine.
Leap Seconds
Time keeps on slippin’
The Earth has the annoying tendency to vary its speed of rotation, and to compensate for this, the world's timekeeping officials must sometimes add an extra second to the day.
Beurre Salé
The savory treat from Brittany
An old specialty from the Brittany region of France, this type of salted butter may give your cardiologist a fit, but its history is as rich as its taste.
Fernet-Branca
Italy’s mystery liqueur
An unusual liqueur made in Italy is especially popular in San Francisco and Argentina. What's in it? The manufacturer refuses to say, but what you do not know might be good for you.
Pennsylvania Coal Fires
Heat under the street
When a fire gets started in a coal mine, it can be impossible to extinguish. Coal mine fires have been raging in Pennsylvania for over 50 years, with no end in sight.
Legends of Tierra del Fuego
The incredible shrinking southern continent
An untidy chain of islands that forms the southernmost tip of South America confounded explorers and cartographers for centuries. Magellan called it the Land of Fire.
Coffee Decaffeination Processes
Less buzz for your buck
If you need your coffee but can't deal with the caffeine, you may reach for a cup of decaf. But just how did they get the caffeine out of it? The variety of techniques is astonishing.
Athabasca Sand Dunes
Saskatchewan’s shifting sands
In northern Saskatchewan, Canada, the Athabasca Sand Dunes look like a scene straight from the Sahara. Suprise: it's not a desert (look in southeastern British Columbia for those), but the work of ancient glaciers.
The Tactile Dome
Getting the feel of the Exploratorium
San Francisco's Exploratorium, has an exhibit that's more than hands-on. The Tactile Dome is a full-body exploration of the sense of touch, in total darkness.
Holophonic Sound
3D audio with just two speakers
Surround sound gives you immersive audio in a single plane, and requires several speakers to do so. But holophonic sound promises 3D sound that includes the up-down axis, and requires only two speakers altogether.