› added 5 years ago

175

TIL a study of peer-reviewed journals in the field of genomics found that 19.6% of studies contained data errors created by Microsoft Excel. That's because some genes with names like SEPT2 (Septin 2) were automatically being converted by Excel into dates.

Read more ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

via reddit.com

kQe4 TIL Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino was heavily damaged by a bomb in an extortion attempt in 1980. The bomb was designed and built by a millionaire businessman is the most complex improvised explosive device ever created, according to the FBI.
X5eQ TIL since 2006 pennies and nickels have had a production cost greater than their face value, resulting in a net loss to taxpayers of $436 million.
7P9Z TIL Surgeon John Liston amputated a leg in under 21⁄2 minutes. He also cut off the fingers of his assistant; both died from gangrene. He also slashed the coat tails of a spectator, who was so scared the knife had pierced his vitals he died from fright. The only operation with a 300% mortality rate.
MrGm TIL former First Lady Laura Bush killed a classmate after running a stop sign
nW9B9 TIL In 1981 when Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president of US he asked the chief of staff to show him the war room of Pentagon because he thought what the movie Dr. Strangelove depicted was real