A chemical few had ever heard of made news this week when Harvard scientists alerted the public that they found a speed-like ingredient in 11 dietary supplements available at national health stores, including the Vitamin Shoppe. Their lab tests on those over-the-counter supplements detected the presence of beta-methylphenylethylamine, or BMPEA, which is chemically related to amphetamines. The New York Times first reported the findings.

Business: "What Is BMPEA and Why Is It Dangerous?"