For example, it has been shown how polar glaciers speed up when the floating ice shelves that block their way to the ocean are removed.

BBC: Under-ice flood speeds up glacier

"It's just having an awareness of bits of paper floating around, " he tells NPR's Melissa Block.

NPR: 'FOUND' Takes Interest in the Ordinary

One problem is that the block's two largest members have such different currency regimes: Brazil's floating (or sinking) real has lost over 40% of its value since its forced devaluation in 1999, whereas Argentina's peso is pegged to the dollar.

ECONOMIST: Another blow to Mercosur