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TIL Infection with a particular parasite (T. gondii) reduces general anxiety and risk aversion in rodents while increasing exploratory behaviour, causing them to not only no longer avoid areas with cat scents, but even to be attracted to them.

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JYkVl TIL of "Sputnikfest" an annual celebration held in the city of Manitowoc, WI where people dress up as aliens and science fiction characters to commemorate a 20lb piece of a Russian satellite crashing down in the city back in 1962
OoDe7 TIL that based on geological definitions of a continent, the Earth actually has a lost eighth continent, known as Zealandia. Most of this continent is submerged beneath the sea, while a tiny sliver, including New Zealand, is above the water.
GYODJ TIL before Robert Palmer became famous for songs like Simply Irresistible and Addicted to Love, he lived in Bahamas and sang reggae
yVeQe TIL that Crucible steel (Wootz) was invented in South India around 200 BC, eventually being exported Middle East and even Viking Europe over thousands of years. Today, it's more commonly known as Damascus steel.
4bYN TIL During Hurricane Sandy, one soldier stood watch over the tomb of the unknown for an unprecedented 23 hours straight.