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TIL Lightning is a source of fixed nitrogen, and thus nitrate. Nitrogen in the atmosphere is highly stable and nonreactive due to the triple bond between atoms in the N2 molecule. Lightning produces enough energy and heat to break this bond allowing nitrogen atoms to react with oxygen, forming NOx.

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e01JL TIL, Red Army had combat camels in its ranks. They were deployed near Astrakhan in the summer of 1942, during the initial phase of the Battle of Stalingrad. More than 300 camels were used to transport goods and artillery in the war, with many being killed and others left in zoos across East Europe
x68Jo TIL that in 1986 a limnic eruption caused a toxic gas cloud of CO2 to be released from Lake Nyos. The cloud traveled downhill at 30mph and killed 1,786 people nearly instantly. People have since moved back to the area, and scientists believe it is only a matter of time before this could happen again
nZ9o TIL that when you are under stress it triggers your body’s defences.Your blood thickens to encourage blood clotting in the event of an injury.This thicker blood puts strain on your heart.That is why stress increases the risk of heart attacks
nO0P TIL that mathematicians living in 16th Century Italy would have math duels to see who was the best. It would be so metal if math duels could still happen today.
78y0r TIL the film "Little Giants" was inspired by a McDonald's Super Bowl ad in 1992. Steven Spielberg saw it on TV and immediately contacted the creators of the ad, hiring them to write it into a feature film saying "I want that commercial made into a movie. I want my 'Home Alone.'"