› added 8 years ago

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TIL that radiation-blocking proteins taken from “water bear” DNA have been incorporated into human cells which boosted the protection of human DNA against damage from x-rays by 40%.

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D1PrJ TIL in 1847, Robert Liston performed a quick amputation where he also accidentally amputated his assistant’s fingers; both patient and assistant later died of sepsis. A spectator also died of shock, resulting in the only known surgical procedure with a 300% mortality rate.
nWKwY TIL that prior to 1880, there was no official time in Great Britain. Cities would often keep their own time, different from neighboring cities. Also, GB was the first nation in the world to adopt a universal time.
8GGX TIL The Centers for Disease Control said that 37% of American adults can’t swim 24 yards, which is the length of a typical recreation-center swimming pool.
DQwrp TIL All of Nicholas Sparks’ books (author of The Notebook) have been New York Times bestsellers.
0dGxp [TIL] The Olympic Torch Relay, a symbol of international peace and cooperation was invented by the Nazis and first used in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.