Round Door Knobs

Round door knobs in building are illegal in the United States.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones become fragile and prone to breakage. Women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease. Until the age of about 30, you build and store bone efficiently. In women, bone loss is accelerated after menopause when your ovaries stop producing estrogen, the hormone that protects against bone loss. Additionally, women who stop menstruating before menopause due to conditions such as anorexia, bulimia, or excessive exercise may also lose bone tissue and develop osteoporosis.

Koalas

Koalas aren't actually bears. They belong in the same family as kangaroos. They rarely hydrate themselves with water. Most of their fluids come from the eucalyptus leaves they eat regularly. A koala's sleep lasts for 19 hours a day.

Hypoxia

High altitudes produce stress on the human body such as hypoxia (reduced available oxygen), more intense solar radiation, cold, low humidity, wind (which amplifies cold stress), a reduced nutritional base, and rough terrain. Reproduction, in particular, at high altitudes affects increased infant mortality rates, miscarriage, low birth weights, and premature birth. An early study in Colorado reported that infant deaths are nearly twice as common above 8,200 feet (2,500 m) as at lower elevations. A common cause of fetal and material death is pre-eclampsia, a severe elevation of blood pressure in pregnant women after the twentieth gestational week.

Written Language

When language evolved into written work, clays and various types of paper surfaces were created. Soft clay tablets and a wedge-shaped tool were used by the Sumerians to record their pictographs, while the Egyptians created papyrus from a plant grown in the Nile region. Strips of papyrus were woven together, soaked, and pounded into a flat surface which was polished with a rock until a smooth finish was achieved. Hieroglyphics were painted or scratched into this surface with a brush or a pen. The Greeks, on the other hand, wrote on parchment made out of treated animal hides. While parchment was more durable than papyrus, it was far more expensive to manufacture. Finally, the Chinese developed the writing surface that we use today - paper. A combination of rags, tree bark, and various fibrous materials were soaked in tubs, pounded with mallets, pressed into sheets, and left to dry in the sun. This was around 100 B.C., but paper didn't become widely used in Europe for another thousand years.

Builders and Solvents

Builders and solvents are types of cleaning product ingredients. Builders are chemicals found in detergents and other cleaners that soften water by binding together minerals, so they don't interfere with the action of surfactants. Solvents are substances usually in liquid that dissolves other substances. They're great for cutting grease. Common household solvents include acetone, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, d-limonene, mineral spirits, naptha, and turpentine. Most organic solvents are toxic, but products may not use the word "solvent." Although it's likely that products will use one of the following words above.

Zero

The number zero was created by the Mayans around 500 A.D. Hindu astronomers n India also created a numeral for zero, but it took the rest of the world about 800 years later until the idea "zero" or "nothing" came into effect.

Caffeine

Caffeine is probably the world's most popular drug. It's basically a poison, a pesticide, used to keep pests away from coffee beans. And that's why decaffeinated beverages still contain trace amounts of caffeine because it's found in the plant. Caffeine reduces drowsiness and can enhance cognitive performance and vigilance such as improving problem solving, increase the capacity for physical work, and raise urine production. But at high doses, it creates tremors and anxiety. Long-tern effect can result in tolerance, as well as physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, fatigue, anxiety, shakiness, and cravings. It can last up to a week. Studies have indicated that caffeine may make it harder for women to become pregnant and increase the risks of miscarriages, stillbirths, and low birth weight babies. Moderate daily consumption may also lead to a slightly increased blood pressure.

Ants

Ants are one of the strongest insects in the world. They can carry 50 times their own weight! They're not very large to begin with so what they're carrying isn't too heavy, but, again, they're not very large to begin with.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world by area and is in the top ten for exporting oil.

Temporary IQ Decline

Researchers at the University of London Institute of Psychiatry have revealed that regular usage of the Blackberry can temporarily drop your IQ by 10 points! That's twice the negative effects that chronic use of marijuana can cause. The constant distraction of incoming emails, phone calls, and text messages prepares your mind for interruptions, dropping your concentration skills.

Dust Mites

Millions of people are allergic to dust mites. There can be as many as 30,000 of them in one ounce of dust! They love to live in beds, as they live off of our dead skin cells. At night when our body is repairing itself, we all shed.

Utility Expenses

For each degree you turn down your heat, you save 3% on heating costs. For each degree you raise the air conditioner, costs will be reduced by 3 - 4%. If you simply change the temperature by two degrees all year you can save approximately 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

Dimes

A dime has 118 ridges.

"Vitamin" D

There's some controversy about whether "Vitamin" D is truly a vitamin or not. Technically, vitamins are nutrients our bodies can't produce on our own, but Vitamin D is synthesized and functions as a hormone. Exposure to the sun's rays is the best source. You can also get Vitamin D through fortified foods such as milk and cereal, but it'll only provide about 10% of your requirements. Sun exposure is the only adequate source. You should expose your hands, face, and arms to the sun for approximately 1/3 - 1/2 the time it takes for you to burn. Exposing yourself 2 -3 times per week is your best bet. It's also one of the fat soluble vitamins. In children, it promotes bone development and growth. In adults, vitamin D helps prevent osteoporosis and fractures. That's why calcium supplements also contain vitamin D; it helps with the absorption of calcium. It primarily regulates blood calcium levels. Some other benefits of Vitamin D are its anticancer effects it has on leukemia cells and breast, lung, cervix, and colon tumor cells. It's crucial to get your daily recommended amount through supplements as you get older because your body starts to synthesize a decreased amount as you age. From birth to the age of 50, the adequate intake is 5 micrograms per day. For people aged 51 - 70, it becomes 10 micrograms a day. For anyone 71 and older, it rises to 15 micrograms a day. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, a childhood condition that weakens the bones and skeleton. In adults, a deficiency may lead to osteomalacia, not to be confused with osteoporosis. It's also known as soft bones, and it leaves you prone to fractures of the hip, spine, and other bones. Don't overdo it, though, as high supplement doses can be toxic, but only with supplements. You can't overdose with sun exposure. Overdosing can lead to hypercalcemia, which is a highly concentration of calcium in the blood. It slows down your kidneys' ability to concentrate urine. That leads to excessive thirst and a constant need to pee. Other symptoms are depression, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Avocados

Avocadoes contain enzymes called chitins. In select individuals, this enzyme can cause an allergic reaction. Particularly those who are sensitive to latex are prone to this. Studies have shown a significant connection between latex allergies and allergic reactions to avocadoes. Avocadoes receive a treatment using ethylene gas to speed the ripening process, and this gas increases the presence of allergenic enzymes. People who have an allergic reaction to latex should avoid eating avocadoes in any form, whether it's in raw form or cooked. If, however, you still desire to eat avocadoes, there has been some evidence suggesting that cooked avocado is preferable for allergy sensitive individuals. Cooking it can deactivate the enzymes that are likely to be responsible for cross-reaction with latex.

Studying Effectively

Scientific research has revealed the best way to study effectively.

Minimize Visual Distractions: Avoid competition for your eyes' attention by focusing on your study material. If you can study by a window, so you can take advantage of natural light which is ideal.

Eliminate Noise: Noise can be one of the most serious obstacles for effective studying. Finding a quiet place to study may seem like such a challenge, but it's worth the effort.

Turn Down the Loud Music: Even though some people are convinced that music can stimulate studying, it's quite the opposite. Classical music, in particular, is more disruptive than people realize. Classical music is quite elaborate with sometimes as many as 30 instruments. On a subconscious level, our brains try to define and distinguish each instrument that's being played. As simple as studying and listening to music can seem, it's still multi-tasking. Bouncing between the music and your books expends energy that you can put to better use if you focus on one thing, rather than splitting your attention.

Reduce Distractions: If sitting by the computer will tempt you to check your email or go online, study somewhere else.

Try the Spider Technique: You'll find that if you hold a vibrating tuning fork close to a spider's web, the spider will react, but after repeated exposure, the spider will ignore the vibrations. Try implementing the same philosophy the next time you're studying near distractions. Train yourself to ignore your surroundings.

Find the Right Light: The best light for studying is bright, even, and stable. For studying, at least 2,500 lumens is ideal. That's the equivalent of two standard 100-watt bulbs (1,750 lumens each). Shadows in your work area caused by glare will tire your eyes. Remove the glare by shielding your lamp with a shade and by using a light-colored, nonglossy blotter on your desk. A constant flicker will break your concentration, so if you use a fluorescent light, try a double or triple tube lamp. If you're using conventional (incandescent) light, make sure the bulb is screwed in properly.

Use a Pencil to Catalyze Concentration: Whenever you're working to learn, study with a pencil in hand, and use it. If you're reading, for example, take breaks between several paragraphs and briefly take notes in your own words. This method allows you to retain information you've learned more effectively.

Find the Right Chair: Use a comfortable, well-cushioned chair. A chair that promotes good body posture will reduce fatigue and maintain a good level of concentration.

Use a Bookstand: A book stand that holds books in a tilted position is a practical study equipment. It removes the strain of continually holding the book open. The angle also reduces glare and neck strain, which can interfere with your concentration.

Keep Other Study Equipments Nearby: What a waste it is to break your concentration once you have a flow going because you have to grab another study tool. Keep all study tools close by such as a dictionary, a calculator, a clock, a calendar, paper, notebooks, paper clips, tape, rubber bands, pencils, pens, erasers, index cards, highlighters, books, etc.

Put Stray Thoughts on a Worry Pad: Remember that the goal is to stay focused on your studies. Be careful with this method, as it can be counterproductive. When stray thoughts linger in your mind, put them to rest temporarily by writing them down. So, you can continue studying.

Tire Safety

Do the following to ensure safe tires: Rotate tires every six to eight thousand miles to encourage even tread wear. Be sure to check for tread depth by simply placing a penny upside down in your tire's tread. If you can see the top of Abe's head, it's time for a new set of tires. If your tire valve caps are cracked or missing, have them replaced. It's best to inspect your tires including your spare each month and before a road trip. Look for cuts, punctures, and signs of uneven tire wear, which may be a sign of a more serious problem. Incorrect tire pressures are one cause of uneven wear patterns. Refer to your owner's manual or manufacturer's sticker located on the door jam for the correct pressure. It's also possible that your tires may be out of balance or need alignment.

Pendulum Clock

In 1656, the first pendulum clock was invented by Christian Huygens. This made clocks more accurate. In 1504, the first portable time piece was invented in Numerberg, Germany by Peter Henlein, but it wasn't very accurate at this time.

Gasoline Powered Lawn Mowers

Gasoline powered lawn mowers are responsible for about 5% of all air pollution throughout the United States. This is because gasoline powered lawn mowers aren't regulated under the same law, so they aren't required to have catalytic converters like cars are. As a result, they spew a lot of different pollutants to the atmosphere.

Brain and Mind

The scientific study of the relationship between brain and mind began in 1861, when Broca, in France, found that specific difficulties in the expressive use of speech, aphasia, consistently followed damage to a particular of the left hemisphere of the brain. This introduced cerebral neurology, making it possible to map the human brain, ascribing specific powers - linguistic, intellectual, perceptual, etc. - to equally specific centers in the brain over the decades.

White Trails Left Behind From Jets

The white trail left behind from jets are man-made clouds. At low altitudes, the air is able to absorb large quantities of water. But, at high altitudes, water has a tendency to come out of the air, which can form a cloud. But this only happens if the air contains small particles such as dust on which the water can condense. It also helps the process if the air is agitated.

Color TV

NBC was the first TV station to go on color TV. The peacock icon is a representation f that, all the colors of the rainbow.

Braille

Braille, the language and form of reading for blind people, was invented by a French boy named Louis Braille. He became inspired when he was twelve years old when a former soldier visited the school to share an invention called "night writing," a code of 12 raised dots that let soldiers share top secret information on the battlefield. It was too complicated for soldiers to understand, but it was easy for Louis. He trimmed it down to 6 dots by the time he was 15. He published the first braille book in 1829. In 1837, he expanded it by including symbols for math and music. The public was skeptical about the usefulness of braille, and it was used worldwide until 1868 when a group of British men, now known as the Royal National Institute for the Blind, took up the cause.

National Radon Action

January is National Radon Action month. The Environmental Protection Agency urges people to test their homes. Radon is a cancer causing natural radioactive gas that you can't see, smell, or taste. Its presence in your home is a health hazard and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. It claims more than 20,000 lives yearly. For more information, please go to http://www.epa.gov/radon.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a dangerously toxic gas especially since it's odorless and colorless. Low levels of exposure imitates side effects similar to the flu such as headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, and fatigue, but high levels can lead to death before even realizing that it's entered your home. Carbon monoxide comes from several sources such as gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, wood burning furnaces, or fireplaces and motor vehicles. To keep you and your family safe, install at least one UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal close to sleeping quarters. If the alarm goes off, silence the alarm, turn off any possible sources, ventilate your home, and call a qualified professional.

Moon

A single day on the moon is the equivalent of 27.3 on earth. This is because the moon permanently faces us.

Emus

Emus are the second largest bird in the world after ostriches. Emu eggshells are very dark green and usually hard. Most birds have one feather per shaft, but emu feathers come in two feathers a shaft.

Fingerprints

*This is my second fact for the day to make up for the missed fact for yesterday.

No two people have the exact fingerprint. And fingerprints remain unchanged throughout a person's life. There are eight fingerprint pattern types: plain arch, tented arch, ulnar loop, radical loop, plain whorl, central pocket loop, double loop whorl, and accidental whorl.

Leonardo Fibonacci

An Italian mathematician named Leonardo Fibonacci created a system to describe patterns he found in nature through a number series known as Fibonacci numbers. The series starts like this: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144 . . . . To create this pattern, each number (except for the first number, number 1) is added to the number to its left. The sum becomes the next number in the series. 1 + 1 = 2, 2 + 1 = 3, 3 + 2 = 5, and so forth.

The Preamble

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity to ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.

Order of Presidential Succession

1. The Vice President
2. Speaker of the House
3. President pre tempore of the Senate
4. Secretary of State
5. Secretary of the Treasury
6. Secretary of Defense
7. Attorney General
8. Secretary of the Interior
9. Secretary of Agriculture
10. Secretary of Commerce
11. Secretary of Labor
12. Secretary of Health and Human Services
13. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
14. Secretary of Transportation
15. Secretary of Energy
16. Secretary of Education
17. Secretary of Veterans Affairs

The 3 Branches of Government

1. Legislative

-Congress
-Senate House of Representatives
-Government Agencies

2. Executive

-President
-Vice President
-Office of Vice President

3. Judicial

-Supreme Court
-Court of Appeals
-District Courts
-Other Courts