› added 4 years ago

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TIL in the early 20th century, if a policitician died, he would be replaced in office by his widow

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j6r4N TIL the term “Blowing Smoke up your ass” has its roots in life saving science.
Zpaa4 TIL: About a company that is genetically engineering poplar trees (already fast-growing, asexually spreading trees) to reduce their energy needs by adding metabolic genes from pumpkins and algae. The engineered trees grow 1.5x than controls. They've planted 600 trees in Oregon and plan to do more.
eM6b TIL In Asian hotels room number 404 is usually missing because repetion of number 4 is considered bad luck
JxdB TIL about the blue-ringed octopus, which despite being only 5-8 inches in size, carries enough venom to kill 26 humans within minutes. The bites are tiny and painless, with some victims not aware they were bit until paralysis sets in.
XEVGD TIL When the space shuttle was in operation, it could launch a payload of 27,500 kg for $1.5 billion, or $54,500/kg. For a SpaceX Falcon 9, the rocket used to access the ISS, the cost is just $2,720/kg. SpaceX’s technical advances and cost reductions have changed the direction of U.S. space policy.