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TIL scientists have been able to genetically modify mosquitoes so their sperm can only produce male offspring, decimating test populations in six generations. This inexpensive innovation could prevent the spread of malaria, save millions of lives and won’t have a significant impact on the ecosystem.

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wYnW TIL in 2011 a member of Anonymous was kidnapped by the mexican drug cartel Los Zetas. He was released when Anonymous posted a video to youtube that threatened to expose photos and names of several people who collaborated with the cartel such as police officers and taxi drivers.
VQXQ TIL an Iraqi installed a remote-controlled paintball gun in his room and connected it to the Internet; he was shot 60,000 times in 30 days and got a severe case of PTSD
4wka TIL that after a man died from continuously laughing for 25 minutes while watching an episode of the 1970s British TV Show ‘The Goodies’, his widow sent a letter to the show thanking them for making his final moments so pleasant.
nDZW TIL that Vicki Lawrence in high school wrote a fan letter to Carol Burnett noting their close resemblance. Burnett—who was looking for an actress to play her younger sister for a new show—hired Lawrence, beginning her long television career.
JYXR4 TIL Goldin Finance 117, an unfinished skyscraper in Tianjin, China. The tower was expected to be built to a total height of 597 m. Construction began in 2008 but was twice halted, and it remains unfinished and unoccupied