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TIL The Sonic Hedgehog protein, a signaling molecule in the human body that regulates embryonic development.

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GAKm5 TIL: Japanese nobles, particularly children of the Imperial Family still receive their education at Gakushūin. It was founded in 1847 and meant to educate children of noble birth with limited spots to the public from preschool to university. Many current politicians and generals come from there.
awrx0 TIL that in the early 1900's, avocados were known as "alligator pears." In attempt to make the fruit (yes, they are fruits) more marketable to the American consumer, they were re-named avocado which derives from the Aztec word for testicle.
WkNj9 TIL the disclaimer that now appears at the end of every American film, (“The preceding was a work of fiction, any similarity to a living person etc.”) first appeared because Rasputin’s assassin Felix Yusupov successfully sued MGM for libel against his wife in the movie “Rasputin and the Empress”
1aMer TIL that there is a blind cave beetle named after Adolf Hitler, Anophthalmus hitleri. Nazi memorabilia collectors willing to pay up to £1200 for a specimen are putting it at risk of extinction.
LQEP9 TIL that players in Indiana have the most PowerBall wins, with 39.