Coffee and Provocation

Darwin Loves the Sludge in Your Coffee Machine
Bacteria in the sludge that sits in you coffee machine has adapted itself to the high levels of caffeine and other compounds that are found in coffee.

Soybeans are the New American King Crop
For the first time ever, American farmers harvested more acres of soybeans this year than any other crop – 83 million acres. (Farmers planted more acres of corn than soybeans, but more soybeans survived to harvest time.)

Bobbit Worm
The Bobbit Worm, with its super sharp jaws, is named after Lorena Bobbitt, who cut off her husband's penis while he was sleeping.

The First Patented Backpack
Camille Poirier patented the first backpack on Dec. 12, 1882 in Duluth, Minnesota (Patent No. 268,932) based on design that was already at least 100 years old. Called the Duluth Pack, it is still made in Duluth, Minnesota.

Mexico Does It Bigger and Better
Mexico has designated an ocean region near the southwestern coast of Mexico as North America’s largest marine reserve, at nearly 58,000 square miles (150,000 square kilometers).

A Chilly Welcome

Early explorers assumed climates at the same latitude were the same worldwide. That was a critical mistake.