Smoking was compulsory for schoolboys in the 17th century at England's famous Eton school because it was thought to prevent the plague.

If you've ever been to the Netherlands, you probably noticed one of two things a) nearly everyone rides a bike or b) you're a lot shorter than everyone there. According to statistics, this countries population has gained an impressive 20 centimeters in the past 150 years and is now officially the tallest on the planet. While a rich diet and good health care is always a recipe for physical growth, a new study suggests something else is going on as well: The Dutch growth spurt may be an example of human evolution in action.

The study, published online today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, shows that tall Dutch men on average have more children than their shorter counterparts, and that more of their children survive. That suggests ge ...

Pumpernickel bread is German for "devil's fart", named after its supposed effect on the body.

I know we've shown this one before, but every spring when the snow melts, Green Lake in Tragöss, Austria overflows and floods the park next to it. For a few weeks, its trees, hiking trails, benches and bridges are submerged in over nine metres of water.

Launched into orbit three years ago, a vial of Scotland's 'space whisky' is due home so researchers can see how the conditions in space affect flavour. This is one small step for man, one giant leap for whisky.