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TIL according to the RNA World Hypothesis, life ~4 billion years ago may have relied on RNA alone to survive. This is supported by the discovery that the ribosome uses RNA to catalyze the key reaction that makes proteins. Previously, only proteins were thought to be capable of acting as enzymes.

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16Ddr TIL some of the earliest sunglasses were crystal sunglasses used by judges in 12th century Chinese courts, to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses. They were made from flat panes of smoky quartz.
DQOlg TIL about autogynephilia, a sexual arousal for a man in imagining himself as female.
e0n6b TIL about the Oakland Buddha, placed by a resident on a street corner to prevent illegal dumping, the statue has now become a shrine for the local Vietnamese population who leave offerings and have even built a shelter for the Buddah. Crime in the area dropped 82%
VMxjB TIL: There are 20 non-canonical books (books not in the Bible) that are referenced in the Hebrew Bible, most of which are lost works.
e0Gp4 TIL despite being in DC, the seal of Georgetown University says "Georgetown College on the Banks of the Potomac in Maryland" as the university was founded in 1789, 12 years before it became part of DC.