› added 12 years ago

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TIL the “immortal” cancer cells of one woman, Henrietta Lacks, have been multiplying since her death in 1951 and have been used globally to research cancer, AIDS, the vaccine for polio, effects of radiation, gene mapping, and many other pursuits.

AN7nl TIL of the Boy Scout Nuclear Science Merit Badge. The requirements to receive the badge include building a Geiger counter, planting irradiated and nonirradiated seeds, and visiting an accelerator (research lab) or university where people study the properties of the nucleus or nucleons.
xVRr0 TIL that silica gel packets aren't poisonous. They are labeled "do not eat" because they are a choking hazard.
6Ex9W TIL each person who becomes 100 years old receives a congratulatory letter signed by the President with a gift cheque of €2,540 in Ireland. This custom is called the "Centenarian Bounty" and also applies to foreign national residents of the country.
wyP1 TIL 40% to 50% of the genetic information found in your GI tract does not match anything that’s ever been classified before–not plant, animal, fungus, virus, or bacteria. We have no clue what it is. Biologists call it “biological dark matter.”
N780Q TIL That the commonly played version of the famous Eiffel 65 song "Blue(Da Ba Dee)" is actually one of three versions created, and is known as the "DJ Ponte Ice Pop Mix". Two other versions created at the same time, the "Dub Mix" and "Glamour Jump Cut" exist, but rarely see airplay or recognition.