› added 9 years ago

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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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75mx TIL that the United States ranks last in intergenerational justice. The US has an exceedingly high rate of child poverty and debt compared to other countries, while achieving low rates of senior poverty and debt at the expense of the young. [PDF Warning]
aWyJ TIL Italy’s Credem Bank takes parmesan cheese from local producers in exchange for cheap loans (charging 3-5% interest, depending on quality) & a fee ensuring the cheese matures properly (2yrs) in the bank vault (cheese is sold if the loan defaults). 430,000 parmesan wheels ($200M+) are stored there
0dvWR TIL Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a Prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark.
7AeL TIL if China, India and Brazil would adopt Euro 6 standards for vehicle emissions by 2015, NASA says the world’s particulates could be reduced by about 85 percent
b6Oe4 TIL that tobacco smoke enemas were so accepted as a resuccitation treatment for drowning in 1700's Europe that emergency smoke enema kits were placed next to the River Thames in London. Doubts about the utility might also be the source of the expression about "blowing smoke up your ass."