› added 10 years ago

1018

TIL that rats in New York City carry numerous diseases, in a sample of 133 rats, scientists discovered 18 different viruses known to infect humans. In fact, scientists even discovered some viruses that were previously unknown to have existed.

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P9DG TIL of Nightingale floors which are designed to make a chirping sound when walked upon. The squeaking floors were used as a security device, assuring that none could sneak through corridors undetected. According to myth these floors were developed as a means of defense against ninjas
KOpjR TIL Giuseppe Piazzi, following his discovery of the Dwarf Planet Ceres, had difficulty tracking its position given the lack of data. Carl Friedrich Gauss, upon hearing this, worked for three months on the problem and successfully predicted its position within half a degree a year after discovery.
o7KE TIL a king attempted suicide by poisoning himself but failed due to himself acquiring immunity to many poisons through small doses throughout his life.
jNVDj TIL the waters of Lake Michigan are crystal clear thanks to a massive infestation of zebra mussels, who inflict considerable damage to infrastructure and throw the lake's ecosystem out of balance, but also filter pollutants out of the water.
BgOGe TIL General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck led 14,000 troops (3,000 Germans and 11,000 Africans) in WWI, holding off 300,000 Allied forces in East Africa for four years using guerilla warfare. He was never defeated or captured, making him the only German commander to successfully invade British territory.