› added 1 year ago

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TIL that Jasmine, a flower originating in the India, is one of the most coveted ingredients in perfumery. A kilogram of jasmine oil can cost $5,000. But to get that small amount of oil, harvesters need to handpick over 5,000 jasmine buds, making it one of the most expensive oils in the world.

woEmP TIL that monitoring cough via daily used smart devices (smartphones, wearables, among other) can predict and prevent COPD exacerbations, reducing hospitalisations.
1aK94 TIL about Calcio Storico, a game played only in Florence. It's a mix of soccer, rugby and wrestling played in historical costume. Only three games are played per year, tactics such as head-butting, punching, elbowing, and choking are permitted and there's no such thing as a game without injuries.
wx5E TIL that during the Napoleonic wars, a french ship wrecked off the coast of Hartlepool. The only survivor being a Monkey in a french uniform. Since the locals had never seen a Monkey nor a Frenchman before, they concluded the monkey was a french spy and hanged the monkey.
8A4b TIL that LifeLock, an ID protection firm, ran a promotional in which its CEO, being so confident in the service, made his Social Security Number public. This resulted in him being the victim of identity theft 13 times, in addition to a $12 million fine for false advertising.
4aaX TIL a tomato plant was found on the 40 year old volcanic island, Surtsey. Scientists were boggled as to how it got there. Turns out, it was from a scientist taking a dump, subsequently growing the plant.