› added 11 years ago

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TIL Taurine, a common ingredient in energy drinks, was first isolated from the bile of an ox, but now is synthesized in labs. Cat food is required by law to contain taurine, since cats without a taurine-rich diet will go blind, and lose their hair and teeth.

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J1j7Q TIL Humans are a tropical species. Human evolution has produced bodies that were meant to live in hot and humid conditions. Our species is in its infancy as far as cold weather evolution is concerned, and physiologically speaking, our bodies are not supposed to be able to survive there.
Zr8Q TIL: Santa Anna, the controversial, highly distinguished, Mexican general once lost his leg to a cannon shot. Then, four years later, had it found and dug up to give it a full military funeral.
Y7myx TIL Cao Xueqin is considered to be China's greatest novelist, but little is known of his life. He spent ten years writing "A Dream in Red Mansions" from 1740 to 1750 but the last chapters were written by a different author. The novel was not published until 1791, nearly 30 years after Cao's death
nWEZG TIL Wilt Chamberlain is the reason for players to stay behind the foul line when shooting a free throw. In college, thanks to his 7’ height, 7’8” wingspan, and 50” vertical, he would start from top of the key, leap before the foul line, and dunk the ball before he touched the ground in the lane.
V9gB TIL that around the world, an estimated 250,000 children—some as young as 7—are involved in armed conflicts.