While this "fix" works most of the time, I've seen instances posted in Apple Discussions where despite trashing the database, as well as the 2 syndication plist, the count mechanism was not restored. Restoration came from an Archive and Install.

When you trash the database, all RSS settings are returned to default value, meaning you'll need to reset the Article Length Slider and any other custom adjustments for each feed. There's got to be an easier way to do this, but nothing yet from Apple.

Also, in Safari 3 Beta, my Article Length Slider no longer reverts to the Custom position for recently added feeds (I must have crossed a # threshold). Rather the slider stays at the default setting (fully opened). No remedy to this even though I trashed the database and the aforementioned plist files. I remind myself "this is beta". Strangely enough, if I revert to Safari 2, the same slider problem continues.