Cool Finds

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German’s Longest Word Is No More

Rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaften, or an insurance company that provides legal protection, is now the language's longest word

Legendary Human-Eating Bird Was Real, Probably Could Have Eaten People

In Maori legend, Te Hokioi was a giant bird that preyed on children, and science says that's probably the truth

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To Measure Elephant Obesity, One Researcher Assesses Pachydermal Butts

It turns out that it's really hard to figure out if an elephant is fat

If You Must Kill That Spider, The Best Way Is To Freeze It

The next time you see an eight legged friend that you'd rather not be friends with, here's the best way to kill it

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Without Vaccines, Hundreds of Children in Pakistan Have Died From a Measles Epidemic

Health workers hope the arrival of 11 million vaccines in June will get the epidemic under control, though some families are suspicious of the shots

Planetary Resources president Chris Lewicki stands next to the Arkyd space telescope.

A Space-Based Telescope for the People Wants Your Support

An asteroid mining company wants your money to put a satellite telescope that you can control into space

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The Bra Is Being Reinvented

Customers determine their cup size by trying on plastic cups reflecting the bra shape and measuring their rib cage

Google Will Now Tell You the Nutrition Information for Foods

Google can now bring up nutrition information for certain foods you search

Britain Will Decide If Badger Culling Is Humane Based on the Noises the Dying Animals Make

The similarities between how the shot badgers thrash about compared to harpooned whales will also be factored in

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The Real Reasons Child Stars Lose Their Minds (According to Matilda’s Mara Wilson)

All the odds are stacked against you once you enter showbiz as a kid

Manchester United Is No Longer the Most Valuable Football (Sorry, Soccer) Brand

This year, Manchester United was dethroned by a team many Americans probably haven't heard of: Bayern Munich

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Sloths Are Number One on the List of Illegally Traded Pets from Colombia

While Asian trade mostly stems from a desire for exotic meat and medicinal ingredients, in Colombia the pet trade rules the market

How Companies Use Data To Hire, Fire and Promote

Companies are turning to data to help them hire new workers, and compare how their employees are doing

An endangered fin whale

Endangered Whales Are Being Sold as Dog Treats to Rich People in Japan

Luckily, it seems that many Tokyoites aren't buying into the endangered treats, which sell at around $37 for 500 grams

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Tiger vs. Lion—Who Would Win?

Lions are the king of the plains. Tigers rule the jungle. But face to face, which would win?

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One Ambitious Electric Car Venture Just Tanked, But Zero-Emissions Vehicles Aren’t Dead

Better Place burned through $850 million before crashing and burning, but the profitable Tesla just repaid its government loans nearly 10 years early

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This Woman Is a Hair-Style Archaeologist

Like a superhero of the coiffe, Janet Stephens spends her days as a regular hair dresser and her nights recreating the hairstyles of ancient Rome

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The Science Behind Teenager Grunts, Ughs and Duhs

A linguist and editor at The Week, turns monosyllabic grunts into long, fancy, science words

Dreaming of Animals Might Augur the Onset of Diseases like Alzheimer’s

Research has shown that sleep disturbance might be one warning sign of neurodegeneration—like insomnia, sleep apnea, drowsiness and animal-packed dreams

Man Finds First-Edition Superman Comic Hidden in His Wall

A man finds a copy of "the most important comic book in the history of comic books" stuffed in the wall of his new fixer-upper

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