› added 11 years ago

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TIL Walnut trees produce a toxin called juglone that is harmful to many other plant species which helps protect the tree’s territory to ensure it gets enough sunlight. The toxin can remain in the soil for years after the tree dies or is removed.

JYobj TIL in 2016, a flight was delayed because a passenger grew concerned and alerted the authorities about the suspicious scribbles of her curly, dark-haired seatmate. Upon inspection, it turned out that the seatmate was an Italian, who was a UPenn economics professor solving differential equations.
5VDD TIL that the Indian military has decided to use the world’s hottest chili (ghost chili) as a weapon
J1p71 TIL after losing her position in her university's anatomy department in 1938, Rita Levi-Montalcini set up a laboratory in her bedroom and studied the growth of nerve fibers in chicken embryos. This work led to her discovery of nerve growth factor, for which she was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1986.
XgMQ TIL a German Mathematician predicted a flood would engulf the world on Feb. 20th, 1524. A nobleman had him build a three story ark to survive this “apocalypse”. People had gathered to see the ark, when a light rain started hundreds were stampeded to death in the ensuing panic.
9wA6Q TIL that physicist Lawrence Langer took a nap on the Little Boy nuclear bomb. It was the only "place where there was room to lie down" while he was keeping the curious away from the bomb the night before the Enola Gay's bombing run.