› added 4 months ago

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TIL some bacteria ‘eat’ electricity — Certain microbes can metabolise electrons directly from metals, using them instead of organic food. This challenges traditional views of metabolism and suggests life can thrive in harsher conditions than thought.

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JAjB TIL that in the United Kingdom, if a local or national election has resulted in a tie, the winner can be decided either by drawing straws/lots, coin flip, or drawing a high card in pack of cards.
bwbj TIL in WWI, over 600 German soldiers burned to death at Fort Douaumont because someone tried to heat up coffee with flamethrower-fuel, resulting in a fire that spread to the ammunition
R5kj4 TIL That Probably one of the most 'alien-like' species, the ribbon worm spits a living, tree-like proboscis to hunt it prey
NJ8P TIL that The Lone Ranger was most likely based on real life U.S. Deputy Marshall Bass Reeves - the first Black U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi
wJaJ TIL If Elizabeth II is still reigning as of 9 September 2015, she will surpass Victoria as the longest reigning monarch in British history