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TIL that Afghanistan has fertile soil perfect for growing pomegranate, but poor access to lucrative markets makes illegal poppy growing the more lucrative option.

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Brgnx TIL Researchers suggest that the discovery of fire influenced human evolution. Fire allowed humans to cook their food, which made food easier to chew and digest—which, in turn, contributed to the reduction of human tooth and gut size.
4k48g TIL in 1924 Gladys Ingle and the Black Cat Hollywood Daredevil stunt team were able to replace a plane’s wheel while in the air and film it.
ADNWa The human brain looks like a big, pinkish-gray, wrinkly walnut. There are so many folds in it that, if it could be unfolded, it could be a small tablecloth. Pinkish-gray might not match your decor, but it would be about the right size! This "tablecloth" is made up of the cerebral cortex and is the wrinkly outside layer of your brain. All those folds are responsible for abstract thought, language, and memory. Scientists believe the wrinkles exist as a way to increase the surface area of the cortex, allowing for increased brainpower in a smaller space. In this week’s Today I Learned, neuroscientist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Steve Ramirez shares some of his smarts on how your cortex is different from your pet hamster’s.
Br7ob TIL of Lisa McVey, the only girl to escape serial killer Bobby Long. She was 17 when he abducted her & she was going home to commit suicide. Long held her hostage for 26 hours. Using her wit, she managed to escape & the ordeal made her realize her desire to live. She’s now a police officer.
AD5da TIL In a year-long study people who received the Leap chair and office ergonomics training achieved up to a 17.8% increase in productivity