› added 5 years ago

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TIL that in East Asia, 80-90% of children are myopic (nearsighted) and require glasses. Scientists theorize that their eyes aren't developing properly because eyes require exposure to natural sunlight to develop, and the kids spend all their time indoors, studying.

Read more bbc.com

via reddit.com

41xa TIL: There is an Octopus species that cares for her eggs for 53 months, apparently not eating during this time, then dies. This brooding period is the longest known for any animal.
jmRN TIL that in 2016, the iconic Vietnamese “Napalm Girl” received over 50 laser treatments on her “4th degree” burns that greatly reduced her pain and softened her skin after 45 years of suffering. The treatment was provided free-of-charge.
MbeV TIL that the crab-like form is so effective, at least five groups of crustaceans have independently evolved into that shape, in a process called carcinisation.
wLJ6M TIL of Sarah Jones, a camera assistant who was killed in a train accident on set of Midnight Rider, due to unsafe decisions made by the director and producer. Later a movement emerged, and movie crews from around the world put her name on slates, as a tribute and a pledge to always stay safe on set
YpQ4B Today I learned that pixie dust in Peter Pan was added later on because children reading the story would think they too could fly like Peter Pan. Apparently there was a rash of young children hurting themselves by trying to fly like pan