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TIL the American Association for cancer research conducted a study using capsaicin, the antioxidant that makes peppers spicy. It was determined that cancer tumors were decreased to one-fifth their size, on average.

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wop97 TIL the 1st jet airliner passed extreme tests yet broke up in normal flight b/c the tests actually made it stronger. A 2x overpressure test on the prototype Comet strengthened it through "cold-working," making it last longer. Production Comets, lacking stress testing, wore out much faster.
69y9l TIL Cats helped the Persians win the Battle of Pelusium against the Egyptians in 525 BCE. The Persians used cats as hostages and painted the image of the Egyptian goddess Bastet on their shields. The Egyptians were afraid of injuring the cats, so they surrendered.
a8jpJ TIL when a pope dies, the cardinal camerlengo confirms the death by gently tapping the pope's head thrice with a silver hammer, calling his birth name each time. He then retrieves the Ring of the Fisherman and cuts it in two. The pope's seals are defaced, and his personal apartment is sealed.
4k0NX TIL Spotted salamander is the only known example of a 'photosynthetic' vertebrate.
EEyw TIL Panarin’s Map was a prediction by a Russian professor that the United States would break up into four separate republics due to internal strain and external pressure. (Map #11)