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Science & Nature

A collection of 302 issues

Size Matters: The Icelandic Penis Museum's Comical Quest for a Worthy Human Specimen

The Icelandic Phallological Museum's quest for a human penis specimen hit a snag when its first donation ended up a shriveled mess. This prompted the curator to publicly declare he was waiting for 'a younger and a bigger and better one,' kicking off a bizarre international competition.

Science & Nature Geography & Places Art, Culture & Design

The Smokescreen of Stress: How Cigarettes Trick Your Brain and Fuel Anxiety

Think smoking calms you down? It's a chemical trick. Nicotine rewires your brain, and the 'relief' you feel is just a pause from the withdrawal symptoms it creates. This illusion traps you in a long-term cycle of heightened anxiety and depression.

Medicine, Psychology & Health Science & Nature

The Nicotine Paradox: How a 10-Second Rush to Calm Actually Fuels Your Anxiety

Nicotine delivers a dopamine rush to your brain in under 10 seconds, creating a fleeting sense of calm. This illusion masks a dangerous cycle: the relief is merely from withdrawal, and over time, nicotine rewires your brain to increase your baseline anxiety, deepening the addiction.

Medicine, Psychology & Health Science & Nature

Meet the Epaulette Shark: The Astonishing Apex Predator That Walks on Land

Meet the Epaulette shark, a unique Australian predator. This small reef dweller can walk on land using its fins to hop between tide pools and can survive for hours with little to no oxygen by shutting down parts of its brain. It's a true marvel of evolution and adaptability.

Science & Nature Animals in Culture

The Impossible Case of Phineas Gage: The Man Who Survived a Hole in His Head

In 1848, railroad foreman Phineas Gage miraculously survived a 13-pound iron rod blasting through his skull. While he physically recovered, his personality changed drastically, providing the first major evidence linking the brain's frontal lobes to personality and social behavior.

Medicine, Psychology & Health Biography & Personal Stories Science & Nature

Swiss Cheese Gets Its Holes Back: A 2025 Court Ruling Reverses a Decade of Purity

Increased hygiene caused Swiss cheese holes to disappear. A 2015 study revealed microscopic hay particles were the secret ingredient. Now, in a landmark 2025 ruling, the Swiss court has approved adding hay powder to milk, scientifically restoring the iconic eyes to traditional cheese.

Food & Lifestyle Science & Nature Technology & Innovation

Beyond the Soda Can: The Immortal Metal We Mistake for Trash

Often seen as disposable, aluminum is a champion of sustainability. An incredible 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today, thanks to its infinite recyclability which saves 95% of the energy needed for primary production. It is a cornerstone material for a circular economy.

Science & Nature Technology & Innovation History

The Cosmic Fender Bender: How a 1980 Chevy Malibu Became the Most Famous Car Hit by a Meteorite

On October 9, 1992, a 12.57 kg meteorite blazed across the Eastern US, ending its 4.4-billion-year journey by smashing into the trunk of 17-year-old Michelle Knapp's 1980 Chevy Malibu in Peekskill, NY. The cosmic collision turned her $300 car into a priceless astronomical artifact.

Science & Nature History Biography & Personal Stories

More Than a Mansion: The Insane True Value of a Single Tulip Bulb in the 1630s

During the 1630s Dutch Tulip Mania, a single tulip bulb became a symbol of immense wealth. At its peak, a rare bulb's value was equivalent to a mansion, a large estate of land, or decades of a skilled worker's wages, showcasing one of history's first and most dramatic speculative bubbles.

Business & Economics History Science & Nature

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