› added 7 months ago

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TIL: Invisible and odorless, radon gas is the #2 cause of lung cancer, killing 21,000 annually in the US. Despite its dangers and simple testing, a lack of regulations and awareness means many homes go untested, exposing countless to this silent killer.”

Read more epa.gov

via reddit.com

OoD6L TIL that the United Kingdom actually declared war on Japan nine hours before the the United States following the attack on Pearl harbour, partially due to Winston Churchill's promise to declare war "within the hour" of a Japanese attack on the United States.
8aoBP TIL that while working in Naval Intelligence during WW2 Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, worked on a plan to steal an enigma machine by having British officers dress up as crashed Luftwaffe crew. The plan had the approval of Alan Turing and became the inspiration for Operation Mincemeat.
kQ07 TIL Will Wheaton suffers from generalized anxiety disorder and chronic depression. He supports mental health nonprofit organizations in raising awareness for these conditions.
ADYkd TIL lobsters do not die due to aging. They become stronger and more fertile with age due to the presence of enzyme telomerase which tepairs DNA sequence.
neldP TIL that a toy doll called My Friend Cayla became infamous for asking its owners personal questions, saving the answers and being hackable at the same time.