› added 8 years ago

290

TIL an estimated 1 in 4 Alabamans are functionally illiterate, meaning they’re unable to manage daily living and employment tasks that require reading skills beyond a basic level

Read more uab.edu

via ift.tt

NX8e1 TIL Bats live upto 40 years of age. When adjusted for size only 19 species of mammals live longer than humans. 18 of these species are bats.
EvNw TIL that the first black female astronaut, Mae Jemison, was the first real astronaut to appear on Star Trek, went to Stanford at 16, and also studied dance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
oBE1A Today I learned that the Five (Mafia) Families of New York are still active today, along the same family (or faction) lines that began over 100 years ago
VydB TIL in medieval Europe “barber-butchers” were barbers that practiced surgery as well, a profession ranging from amputations to haircuts. The red and white ‘barber swirl’ in front of most barber shops today signifies blood and bandages which was common in their trade.
M7bBa TIL that volcanic eruptions can cool the Earth's climate. When a volcano erupts, it releases sulfur dioxide, which converts to sulfuric acid in the atmosphere and forms fine sulfate aerosols. These aerosols reflect sunlight back into space, leading to temporary global cooling.