What Are Toxins?
Today’s Big Question: What are toxins?
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What Are Toxins?
Today’s Big Question: What are toxins?
The One Change You Should Make to Vastly Improve Your Morning Coffee
Baristas weigh in on the most important part of the home-brewing process.
The Earliest Known Descriptions of 5 U.S. Landmarks
From the European discovery of America through to the land rushes and gold rushes of the 19th century, a host of explorers, navigators, cartographers, and prospectors have opened up the landscape of the United States over the years—and provided vivid accounts of everything they found.
DNA of Ancient Cats Traces the Path of Their Global Conquest
Cats have been using humans for thousands of years.
13 Mummified Facts about Ötzi the Iceman
In honor of the 25th anniversary of his discovery.
He was the first to figure out that irritating buzz could be a danger sign.
“A book is a loaded gun,” Ray Bradbury famously wrote in Fahrenheit 451, and plenty of people seem to concur with the story’s book-burning Captain Beatty that certain works are just too dangerous to leave sitting around. Parents and library patrons regularly band together to demand that certain books be pulled from public shelves, citing a desire to protect readers from coarse language, sexual themes, or other perceived offenses. In honor of Banned Books Week (September 25 to October 1), take a gander at the infographic below from Readers.com, which features some of the most protested books ever published, according to the American Library Association.
Though the ideas presented in books like the Harry Potter series might not be quite as dangerous as some protesters would have you believe, a few kids’ books have actually had to be recalled for safety reasons—like the 1990s crib books, which mistakenly included straight pins left over from the manufacturing process.
Know of something you think we should cover? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com.
September 26, 2016 – 11:30am
As a recurring feature, our team combs the Web and shares some amazing Amazon deals we’ve turned up. Here’s what caught our eye today, September 26.
Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers, including Amazon, and may receive a small percentage of any sale. But we only get commission on items you buy and don’t return, so we’re only happy if you’re happy. Good luck deal hunting!
Jabra Sport Pace Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds – Retail Packaging – Red for $79.44 (list price $99.99)
Case Logic CD/DVDW-92 100 Capacity Classic CD/DVD Wallet (Black) for $13.54 (list price $24.99)
Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones for $31.86 (list price $69.00)
Creazy Cree Xpe-r3 LED 1000 Lumens Lamp Clip Mini Penlight Flashlight for $8.99 (list price $15.00)
Photive S5 Compact Water Resistant Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $24.95 (list price $79.95)
Invicta Men’s 0932 Anatomic Subaqua Collection Chronograph Watch for $197.88 (list price $995.00)
Bulova Men’s 98B247 Accutron II Analog Japanese Quartz Black Watch for $160.92 (list price $599.00)
Casio Men’s MRW200H-1BV Black Resin Dive Watch for $15.89 (list price $24.95)
Gotham Steel 10-Piece Kitchen Nonstick Frying Pan and Cookware Set for $99.99 (list price $199.99)
Breville BJE200XL Compact Juice Fountain 700-Watt Juice Extractor for $79.95 (list price $99.99)
Greenco Vibrant Colors Ice Cream Dessert Bowls and Spoons (Set of 12) for $10.99 (list price $13.89)
Oyama TRO-110C Turbo Convection Oven, 12 L, White for $43.99 (list price $69.95)
RTIC 30 oz. Tumbler for $14.01 (list price $59.95)
OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer, Green for $9.95
Lodge L8DO3 Pre-Seasoned Dutch Oven, 5-Quart for $34.99 (list price $59.99)
Lodge ASHH11 Silicone Hot Handle Holder, Black for $4.49 (list price $8.00)
Triple Filter 8 Cup French Press in Chrome 34 Oz for $12.99 (list price $31.99)
Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator FD-75A for $64.99 (list price $72.95)
Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid, 15 OZ, White – by Sweese for $15.99 (list price $18.99)
Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS 8 Pound Commercial Upright Vacuum, Blue for $137.81 (list price $299.00)
PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Fountain for $35.99 (list price $59.99)
BLACK+DECKER PKS160 Power Scrubber for $14.99 (list price $19.99)
Coaster 102583 Round-Back Swivel Chair, White for $107.55 (list price $137.00)
Dorel Living Padded Dual Massage Recliner, Tan for $239.00 (list price $342.40)
Skyway Nimbus 2.0 20-Inch 4 Wheel Expandable Carry-On for $79.99 (list price $160.00)
Espresso Shoe Cubbie Bench for $102.72 (list price $206.00)
Hoover F5914900 SteamVac Carpet Cleaner with Clean Surge for $99.99 (list price $129.98)
BLACK + DECKER CHV1410L 16 volt Lithium Cordless Dust Buster Hand Vac for $44.99 (list price $49.95)
DampRid Hanging Moisture Absorber, Fresh Scent, 14 oz bags, 3 ea for $7.97 (list price $15.44)
Whitmor Crystal Clear Over The Door Shoe Organizer for $8.29 (list price $11.99)
BioPEDIC Ultra-Fresh Anti-Odor Standard size Pillow, Set of 4 (White) for $21.99 (list price $49.99)
Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover, 465 Sq Ft, HPA300 for $215.48 (list price $249.99)
Bed Head Deep Waver for $18.64 (list price $27.99)
Edge Shave Gel for Men Sensitive Skin – 7 Ounce (Pack of 6) for $16.02 (list price $26.99)
Conair Oval Double-Sided Lighted Mirror – Oiled-Bronze Finish for $31.99 (list price $49.99)
Smitco LLC Exfoliating Shower/bath Beauty Wash Gloves (4 Pairs) for $11.99 (list price $21.99)
Dove Beauty Bar, Sensitive Skin 4 oz, 16 Bar for $16.19 (list price $25.09)
Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Original Formula, 16 Fl. Oz for $13.99 (list price $16.39)
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream, Extra-Dry Skin, 1.7 Oz for $14.56 (list price $18.98)
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, 1 Oz for $17.97 (list price $19.99)
Maybelline New York The Blushed Nudes, 0.34 Ounce for $8.79 (list price $11.99)
Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo, 10.5 Ounce (Pack of 2) for $11.39 (list price $12.98)
MicroTouch TOUGH BLADE, Triple-Blade Razor with 12 Refill Cartridges for $17.89 (list price $20.00)
REACH Dentotape Waxed Tape, Unflavored 100 Yards (Pack of 6) for $16.30 (list price $25.59)
Colgate Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse, Mild Mint, 16.9 Fluid Ounce for $8.99 (list price $10.99)
Dove Men+Care Body and Face Wash, Clean Comfort 18 oz, Pack of 3 for $13.49 (list price $21.94)
Colgate Total Advanced Whitening Toothpaste, 7.6 Ounce (Pack of 2) for $7.98 (list price $14.57)
L’Oreal Paris Cosmetics Colour Riche La Palette, Nude 01, 0.62 Ounce for $15.84 (list price $19.99)
L’Oreal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Intensive Overnight Facial Mask for $17.97 (list price $24.99)
Fekkai Salon Tech Mask 7 Oz for $19.99 (list price $24.99)
L’Oreal Paris True Match Powder, Natural Beige, 0.33 Ounces for $7.99 (list price $10.95)
Colgate 360 Optic White Toothbrush Pack, Full Head Soft, 4 Count for $9.99 (list price $12.99)
InStyler BLU Turbo Ionic Dryer for $89.99 (list price $99.99)
Aussie Aussome Volume Conditioner, 13.5 Fl Oz (Pack of 6) for $17.82 (list price $23.94)
Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub, 5 Oz for $4.80 (list price $7.69)
Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Body Wash, Fragrance Free, 12 Ounce for $5.99 (list price $13.22)
The Honest Company, 3 in 1 Facial Towelettes for $10.05 (list price $16.38)
Burt’S Bees All-Natural Herbal Insect Repellent, 4 Fluid Ounce for $8.58 (list price $11.49)
Eparon 40 Piece Gel Pen Set for $7.99 (list price $14.99)
DYMO LabelWriter 450 Turbo Thermal Label Printer (1752265) for $80.62 (list price $129.99)
Mr. Sketch Scented Twistable Gel Crayons, Assorted, 12-Pack (1951333) for $11.69 (list price $12.99)
Prismacolor Premier Verithin Colored Pencils, 36 Pack for $16.18 (list price $17.49)
Pentel Color Pen, Set of 36, Assorted (S360-36) for $9.58 (list price $11.99)
Epson LabelWorks LW-400 Label Maker for $22.99 (list price $49.99)
Pentalic Sketch Book, Hardbound, 8-1/2-Inch by 11-Inch for $12.38 (list price $13.99)
Pentel Arts Aquash Fine Point Water Brush, Medium (FRHMBP) for $4.85 (list price $7.16)
UNIQOOO Arts & Crafts the Tree of Life Wax Seal Stamp for $13.99 (list price $15.99)
Sugru Moldable Glue – Classic Multi-Color (Pack of 8) for $14.75 (list price $22.00)
PowerBlock Compact Weight Stand, Black, Large for $54.99 (list price $80.00)
Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor Remover 32oz for $4.99 (list price $10.99)
GREENSCAPES Tree Watering Bags for $9.16 (list price $11.99)
Miles Kimball Gorilla Garden Hands for $15.34 (list price $19.99)
Hynes Eagle Multi Pocket Canvas Backpack School Bag 25 Liter (Brown) for $34.99 (list price $89.99)
Lifetime 60064 Adirondack Chair for $126.09 (list price $240.00)
Eton FRX5 Hand Crank Emergency Weather Radio with SAME Alerts for $56.00 (list price $129.99)
NETGEAR 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch (GS208) for $19.99 (list price $29.99)
TP-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender w/ Gigabit Ethernet Port (RE355) for $59.95 (list price $109.99)
Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black) for $99.99 (list price $108.98)
Sony MDRXB950BT/B Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones (Black) for $148.00 (list price $199.99)
Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Computerized Telescope for $384.86 (list price $499.95)
Samsung CF591 Series Curved 27-Inch FHD Monitor (C27F591) for $300.36 (list price $349.99)
Canary All-in-One Home Security Device – Black for $184.83 (list price $249.00)
Panasonic KX-TGF382M DECT 2-Handset Landline Telephone for $76.44 (list price $99.95)
Chamberlain CLULP1 Universal Laser Garage Parking Assist for $16.99 (list price $25.95)
HAMMERHEAD HLLT10 10-Inch. Digital Level with Laser for $38.00 (list price $49.99)
3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit, 5-Window for $13.92 (list price $22.54)
HomeRight C800766 Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer for $57.62 (list price $79.99)
Little Giant Ladder Systems 15413-025 Velocity M13 for $147.78 (list price $259.20)
Black & Decker BDCD120VA 20V Lithium Drill/Driver Project Kit for $52.99 (list price $61.99)
Black & Decker BDCDMT1206KITC Matrix 6 Tool Combo Kit with Case for $149.99 (list price $191.58)
Core Studio SL3HLight Slimline 3 Step Ladder for $64.29 (list price $79.99)
Master Lock 311TRI Keyed Alike Laminated Steel Padlock, 3-Pack for $22.33 (list price $25.26)
Makita T-01725 Impact Drill-Driver Bit Set, Black Oxide, 70-Piece for $21.99 (list price $45.00)
ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape, Multi-Use, 1.41-Inch by 60-Yard, 1 Roll for $5.04 (list price $7.98)
September 26, 2016 – 12:47pm
There’s a simple reason why pancakes are round: Because gravity is an excellent chef. Gravity pulls on fluid uniformly, so when a dollop of batter hits the griddle at a right angle, it gets tugged down into a round, symmetrical shape. Meanwhile, surface tension helps hold it in a perfect circle.
If you’re a nonconformist who prefers a Jackson Pollock–style lumberjack breakfast, toss the batter onto the griddle at an angle. Delicious Abstract Expressionism should result!
September 26, 2016 – 11:00am
A number of manufacturers have been attempting to solve a puzzle that has plagued the digital camera industry since the smartphone came of age: how to convince consumers they need a separate device to take pictures.
Recently, Leica unveiled a series of colorful instant cameras that can develop film on the spot. The move was a fairly clear homage to Polaroid, which became world-famous for its instant camera and the ability to print stiff, distinctively gauzy photos on demand. Now Polaroid is attempting to outdo its competition with the Snap Touch, a camera that blends old-school features with the one must-have component of the modern day: a touchscreen.
Like the new Leica Sofort, the Polaroid Snap Touch comes in variety of snazzy colors. Unlike the Leica, users can opt for the 3.5-inch touchscreen instead of a viewfinder to frame their 13 megapixel photos. Prints will roll out on a 2-inch by 3-inch proprietary color photo paper that’s also waterproof. To further guarantee you won’t have to juggle devices, the Snap Touch can also shoot high-definition video.
For printing enthusiasts, the camera’s coolest feature may be analog in nature: photos are printed using Polaroid’s ZINK Zero, a process that uses heat to activate color crystals pre-printed on the paper.
The camera will retail for $179.99, with packs of paper starting at $9.99 for a 20-pack. Polaroid is now taking pre-orders
[h/t SlashGear]
September 26, 2016 – 10:30am