Did you know that...

[Griffin NoName]

DYKT 1.6 million children are homeless in the USA.

(you may well know, but I was shocked0

[Lindorm]

Did you know that a research group at Cambridge recently published a study in neural cell regeneration that had some amazing results? By transplanting cells from the nose of a dog to the spine, they managed to stimulate neural regeneration in old spinal injuries. While none of the dogs involved got back full use of their hindquarters, quite a few of them actually regained some movement in their previously paralysed rear halves, and soma where even able to walk and wag their tails again.

Fascinating, at least to me.

[Sibling DavidH]

Yes, that was amazing.  If they can just transfer it to humans, previously paralysed patients will be able to pee on lamp posts and sniff people's bottoms. 

[Swatopluk]

DYKT 1.6 million children are homeless in the USA.

(you may well know, but I was shocked0

Call me cynic but I would have expected even higher numbers.

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

With poverty between 15% - 20% depending how you count, and four years straight of foreclosures it isn't surprising at all.

[Swatopluk]

Did you know that within the last 20 years 95% of all buildings in Mekka and Medina have been torn down to make room for new ones?

This includes the house Mohammed was born in (replaced by a library) and the house of his beloved first wife (replaced by public toilets).
Officially it is to make the holy cities ready for the future (neither is able to cope with the rapidly growing pilgrimage) but behind it is also a desire similar to that of the Taliban and the fanatics in Timbuktu to get rid of anything that is or could become a focal point of worship outside the extremly narrow window of tolerance of the regime. Currently on the target list are the tombs of the first caliphs (to be replaced by an extension of the Great Mosque).
Main profiteer is (what a surprise*) the bin Laden family, owner of the largest and best connected construction company in the region.


*not to me actually

[Sibling DavidH]

Did you know that in Afrikaans there is a word opscheplooper, meaning a person who always turns up just as food is being served?

EDIT:  corrected spelling of opscheplooper

[Roland Deschain]

Did you know that in Afrikaans there is a word opschleplooper, meaning a person who always turns up just as food is being served?

Now that's a word I can get behind. With a knife and fork.

[Sibling DavidH]

DYKT that in 1991, a Bedouin tribe delayed its annual migration across the Sahara because its elders were not prepared to miss the last episode of Dallas?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9700764/Larry-Hagman-the-superstar-who-made-history.html

[Griffin NoName]

That is an amazing fact.

[Swatopluk]

Did you know that urban birds increasingly integrate cigarette stubs into the construction of their nests? A study by Mexican scientists observed that the effect is a benevolent one because the nicotine is a good defense against parasites. The more stubs were used in the nest building the less was the parasite infestation.

[Sibling DavidH]

Did you know that today, 12/12/12 is the last repeating date we will ever see?

(Unless we make it to 01/01/2013.)

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

Don't worry, we'll get more if we move to Mars where the year lasts 686 days so we'll need at least ten more months. 

[Griffin NoName]

(Unless we make it to 01/01/2013.)

That's not repeating ? ? ?

[Sibling DavidH]

Oops, I meant 01/01/(21)01, of course.  Just a small slip of the brain.