TIL that there is a cryptic organization called Cicada 3301 that posts challenging puzzles and games online, possibly to recruit codebreakers and linguists.
TIL the guy who managed Guinness Breweries in the 1950s went to a shooting party, where he missed his shot at a golden plover. In his defence, he argued it was the fastest game bird in Europe, but couldn't find a reference book that proved it. That's why he created the Guinness Book of Records.
Researchers find an enzyme that allows algae to turn fat directly into hydrocarbons using nothing more than sunlight, which could be used as fuel with no further modification.
Why Does School Still Start So Early? Research shows that unreasonable start times lead to chronic sleep deprivation in teens. Why are schools so slow to make changes?
TIL Smile Mask Syndrome is a psychological disorder in which subjects develop depression and physical illness as a result of prolonged, unnatural smiling. First described in Japan in 1983, this is attributed to the great importance placed on smiling in the Japanese service industry.
TIL During the 1970 Aspen's sheriff's election, Hunter S. Thompson shaved his head bald so he could refer to the crew-cut, ex-army, Republican incumbent as 'My long-haired opponent.
African wild dogs vote over pack decisions by sneezing - the more sneezes there were, the more likely it was the pack moved off and started hunting - a new study has found published in The Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
We ignore what doesn’t fit with our biases – even if it costs us: We can’t help but be more welcoming of information that confirms our biases than facts that challenge them. Now an experiment has shown that we do this even when it means losing out financially.
Common ingredient in household products, like toothpaste & disinfecting cleaners, may inhibit the function of mitochondria which could increase risk for Parkinson’s disease, and hormone functions in cells which could potentially cause reproductive harm.
TIL there's a grocery store in Berlin where items are sold without any brands or packaging. Customers are expected to bring their own containers, which are then weighed to determine the final price.