Amazing facts | Interesting facts | Strange facts

Hollywood's unsolved murder mysteries-Thelma Todd

2012-01-30T00:01:00.001-08:00

Thelma Todd

Between 1926 and 1935, Thelma Todd appeared in over 120 films, including the Marx Brothers’s ‘Horse Feathers’ and ‘Monkey Business.’ On Dec. 16, 1935, Todd was found dead in the garage of actress Jewel Carmen, the former wife of Todd’s lover and business partner. The cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning.

Police found that Todd had spent the night before her death at a popular Hollywood restaurant, where she had an argument with her ex-husband; she then retreated to Carmen’s home, which was a block away from a restaurant that she owned.

Whether foul play was involved in the death remains up for debate. Some believe Todd was targeted for extortion, while others wonder if she was locked inside the garage by her murderer. Todd’s body was cremated, but blood was found on her head and dress, leading some to believe she was knocked unconscious before her death.

Complicating matters? Todd’s ex-husband was murdered two years later.

Ten of World's Strangest Snacks

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hákarl: Icelandic Fermented Shark

Popular in Iceland, the Hákarl is a basking shark which has been cured with a particular fermentation process and hung to dry for four to five months.
It is often served in cubes on toothpicks and comes in two varieties; chewy and reddish glerhákarl (lit. "glassy shark") from the belly, and white and soft skyrhákarl (lit. "skyr shark") from the body.

Balut: Fertilized Duck Egg

Balut is a fertilized duck egg, with a partially formed fetus inside.
It is usually eaten by cracking open the shell and drinking the fluid.
Then fetus is seasoned with salt and pepper, and eaten raw.
These eggs can be commonly found in the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Kanikko: Candied Crabs

Lacquered with a sugary, slightly spicy coating, these Japanese crab snacks taste fishy and sweet.

Casu Frazigu: Italian Maggot Cheese

During the aging process of "Rotten Cheese," a fly called Piophila casei deposits its eggs on the cheese.
When the maggots are born, they move throughout the cheese, excreting enzymes that give it an overwhelmingly pungent smell, a rotten taste, and a soft, creamy texture.
The cheese is served at weddings and other family gatherings.

Escamomes: Ant Eggs

Escamoles are made from the eggs of black ants, which are collected from colonies, and harvested from the roots of the agave plant in Mexico.
They must be collected, just before the larvae turn into ants, and the larvae collectors must wear protective gear to protect themselves from stings.
Their taste have been described as that of corn, and they are often eaten in tacos.

Squid Balls

A Chinese snack, they feel mildly squid-ish, craggy on the outside and steamy-bouncy on the inside.

Dried Wild Fish

Targeted to kids, this snack made in China to be distributed in Russia may seem repulsive to some and the list of ingredients on the back of the pouch is refreshingly short: fish, salt.

Crickets on a stick

If you live in Beijing or Bangkok, you might fancy a taste of crickets.
Or maybe you would prefer baby nestling sparrows, mice, snakes, or maybe a bowl of scrumptious scorpion soup?

Black Garlic Chocolate

Japan's Black Garlic Chocolates are made by Takko Shoji, who claims the fermented black garlic coated with bittersweet chocolate can increase energy and promote metabolism when eaten regularly over a couple of months.

Pork Skin

Pork rinds --pieces of pig's fried or roasted skin (rind)-- are actually quite common in several countries around the world.
Chunks of cured pork skins are deep-fried and puffed into light, irregular curls, and often seasoned with chili pepper or barbecue flavouring.

These micro-wavable pork rinds are sold in bags that resemble microwave popcorn (although not exhibiting the 'popping' sound) and can be eaten still warm.
Pickled pork rinds, on the other hand are often enjoyed refrigerated and cold.
Unlike the crisp and fluffy texture of fried pork rinds, pickled pork rinds are very rich and buttery, much like foie Gras.

Amazing facts-Human caterpillar

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

Prince Randian

He was known as the living torso, human caterpillar, pillow man, and the human cigar. He was born in 1871 and died in December 1934. Other than being born without arms or legs, he was known for being able to roll, light, and smoke a cigarette.

Amazing happenings-A child's encounter with a Tiger

2012-01-28T00:01:00.001-08:00

This breathtaking photograph captures the remarkable moments when a tiger bowed its head and placed a paw up to the hand of a small girl. Photographer Dyrk Daniels noticed the 370lb Golden Bengal Tiger had taken an interest in the child, who was leaning against his glass enclosure.

As the tiger, called Taj, headed over to her, Daniels got his camera ready, expecting him to snarl and bang against the glass. But amazingly the tiger hung his head, stretched a paw out to her hand and rubbed his cheek against where the girl's face was.

Dyrk Daniels, 47, from Washington, America, went to Cougar Mountain Zoo to photograph the Bengal tigers. When he got to the enclosure there were several children and families in the area, so he decided to let them see the tigers first before he tried to photograph them himself.

‘That is when I noticed this little girl was leaning against the glass with both hands out stretched staring at the ‘big kitties’,’ he said. The tiger put its face right down so the little girl could look it straight in the eye‘I noticed that Taj had taken an interest in the girl and was heading towards her.

‘I thought for certain that the little girl would need therapy after the encounter and fear cats for the rest of her life.

‘I could not believe my eyes when Taj approached the girl, bowed his head and then placed his huge right paw exactly in front of where the little girl's left hand was.

‘It was incredible to watch. Taj let down his right paw, rubbed his cheek against the glass where the little girl's face was and moved off.’

Far from being scared, the little girl was so excited that she started clapping as she walked back afterwards towards her mother.

‘I have never seen such tenderness from such a large predator,’ Mr Daniels said.

Amazing pictures of Elephant attack and miraculous escape

2012-01-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

What the War in Iraq could have bought instead-Immunity

2012-01-27T00:01:00.001-08:00

Amazing facts-With a Quack Quack here

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Mr McDonald was a farmer who lived in Canada - nothing extra-ordinary in that - until you learn that his postcode contained the letter sequence EIEIO.

Amazing pictures-Yueyaquan Lake, China

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

Located 6 km south of the Dunhuang city, the Yueyaquan lake is crescent shaped and is a source of attraction for tourists from all over the world. This beautiful lake is surrounded by a desert which is a treat to the eyes.

Amazing hybrids-Wholphin

2012-01-25T00:01:00.001-08:00

The wholphin is an amazing “under the sea” hybrid that comes from a bottlenose dolphin having a successful pregnancy from a false killer whale. As its name states, the false killer whale is not a whale, but a very large breed of dolphin. These remarkable animals have been known to occur in the wild, but so far there are only two living examples of wholphins in captivity, and they both call the Sea Life Park in Hawaii home. Kekaimalu was the first wholphin at Sea Life Park, and she proved to be fertile, when she gave birth at a young age. Unfortunately, that first baby wholphin did not survive for long, and neither did the next baby she had, but luckily the third baby did. Her name is Kawili Kai and she became as large as a full grown bottlenose dolphin within two months of her birth. She now lives happily with her wholphin mom and bottlenose dad at the Sea Life Park.

Interesting facts for Kids-Difference Between Art and Craft

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Difference Between Art and Craft

Art is a form of work that is the expression of emotions. Craft is a form of work, which results in a tangible output.

Another thing that can be seen is that one can create duplicate craft forms, which is not possible with art. It can also be seen that art forms move people on an emotional level whereas crafts attract people.

For example, a piece of painting can create emotions in a person whereas a piece of jewelery can be an attraction.

Unlike craft, art is known to come out of the heart and soul. Crafts come out of the mind and need considerable practice to come out with world-class forms.

Disgusting food dishes from around the world-Tuna Eyeball

2012-01-24T00:01:00.001-08:00

Tuna Eyeball

Usually served in Japan and China, the tuna eyeball is a weird dish that might not be for everyone’s taste. They say it tastes much better than it looks.

Polar bear-Up, close and personal

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

This polar bear actually gets along swimmingly with visitors who join her in the water at the Polar Bear Plunge.

Of course, eight-year-old Tatqiq’s friendly disposition is helped in no small part by a glass wall which lets her keep guests at a paw’s length.

Although the flexible screen gives slightly when pressed, it’s strong enough to withstand the force of a typical male polar bear – such as Tatqiq’s brother Kalluk, who weighs more than 70st.

The pair are part of an exhibit at San Diego Zoo which allows guests to see the bears up close while learning about how melting ice caps are affecting their species.

Hollywood's unsolved murder mysteries-Marilyn Monroe

2012-01-23T00:01:00.001-08:00

On Aug. 5, 1962, 36-year-old Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her home, after overdosing on barbiturates. The coroner’s report listed Monroe’s death as probable suicide, but many including the first LAPD officer to the scene believe she was murdered.

There was no trace of drugs in Monroe’s stomach, meaning she didn’t swallow her eventual killers; she was also covered in bruises, including a major one on her hip. The toxicologist on the case wanted to examine her organs and blood to understand how the drugs got into her system, but after the initial examination, Monroe’s organs were destroyed.

It was revealed that Monroe had enough chemicals in her system to kill 10 people, but intravenous injection was ruled out after a body exam.

At the time of her death, Monroe was allegedly involved in a relationship with John F. Kennedy, and perhaps his brother, Robert. FBI files released in 2006 showed that Monroe was considered a security risk after cavorting with known communists during a vacation in Mexico.

Did you know-Difference between Drug and Medicine

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Difference Between Drug and Medicine

From chemistry point of view, there is no distinction between the terms drugs and medicines, i.e., all drugs are medicines and all medicines are drugs. However, our society and law make a clear-cut distinction between these two terms as follow:

A medicine is a chemical substance which cures the disease, is safe to use, has negligible toxicity and does not cause addiction. In contrast, a drug is a chemical substance which also cures the disease but is habit forming, causes addiction and has serious side effects.

Amazing facts-Stonehenge

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

The Stonehenge landscape of Salisbury Plain, England, has become a tourist hotspot. But before foreigners with windbreakers and cameras showed up, the area may have been a burial ground and ceremonial den dating back 5,000 years.

Funny facts-Craziest tattoo

2012-01-21T00:01:00.001-08:00

27 year old personal trainer from the UK, Richard Ashton, has tattooed his passport on his back.
Though tt’s difficult to understand why.

Interesting facts for Kids-Difference between Reward and Award

2012-01-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Difference Between Reward and Award

Awards are tokens of appreciation, which are given to individuals for their achievements. It can be called as symbol of recognition to an individual for their personal achievements. Rewards on the other hand are also recognition but it is a kind of acknowledgment to an individuals contributions. Rewards can also be said to be an encouragement to an individual.

Awards can also be called as a prize that is given away to individuals for their noteworthy activities. By getting an award, people approve that you have done something great. Awards can come in form of commemorative plaques, medals, trophies, certificates, titles, badges, pins and cash. Rewards most of time is associated with money or a promotion or like that.

You may be rewarded for finding and returning some one’s valuable things. The police normally give away rewards on valuable information. Rewards can be termed as a compensation that you get for helping others. But you only get award and not reward for writing a novel. Well, the award can be called as a reward for an individual’s effort.

Awards are publicly presented. Rewards, on the other hand, are only private or personal affairs.

Hollywood's unsolved murder mysteries-Bruce Lee

2012-01-20T00:01:00.001-08:00

On July 23, 1973, then 32-year-old Bruce Lee was found dead, the result of an apparent allergic reaction to Equagesic, a painkiller. According to the coroner’s report, Lee died “by misadventure.”

He did suffer from seizures — one happening just a month before his death — but popular urban legends say that Lee was murdered by triads, a curse on his family and/or the delayed reaction from Dim Mak strike (called the “Touch of Death”) still persist.

Amazing facts-Sphinx of Giza, Egypt

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Another Egyptian wonder, the Sphinx of Giza has the body of a lion and the head of a Pharaoh, believed by most to be that of king Khafre. It was carved from soft limestone, and has been slowly falling apart over the years. A popular theory of the missing nose claims Napoleon’s soldiers shot it off with a cannon in 1798, but early sketches discovered of the Sphinx without a nose predate Napoleon’s rampage.

Interesting facts-Countries consuming most Beer

2012-01-19T00:01:00.001-08:00

Best Beer Consuming Countries and Festivals

The world`s most widely consumed alcoholic beverage is dating back to 9500 BC cereal farming and it is also mentioned in the history of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Today, beer is the third most popular drink in the world after water and tea.

The greatest beer festivals today are held annually across countries around the world with the emphasis on entertainment and the sampling, tasting and purchase of a wide range of beers. The festivals may usually include a main theme, which either promotes a particular regional culture, a brand, or a brewing style.

The most notable annual beer festival today is the German Oktoberfest, which is the largest beer festival in the world. As Germany is quite the place for beer festivals it holds many other beer exhibitions, which last several days like the Barthelmarkt annual fair and beer festival in Manching, which dates back to the 1st century BC when the Romans established a cattle market in that area.

Other notable annual beer tent festivals are the Great British Beer Festival, held every August in London. The Belgian BAB-bierfestival held every November in Bruges is also an exclusive fair as Belgian beer is very famous for its uniqe variety of tastes.

Last but not least, the Czech Beer Festival, locally referred to as the Cesky Pivni Festival is held for 17 days every May in Prague, which according to the upcoming list of the Top Ten Beer Consuming Countries, is the current beer capital with the greatest consumption of beer.

01 Czech Republic with an annual 158.6 liters per capita

02 Ireland with an annual 131.1 liters per capita

03 Germany with an annual 110 liters per capita

04 Austria with an annual 108.3 liters per capita

05 Australia with an annual 104.7 liters per capita

06 United Kingdom with an annual 99.0 liters per capita

07 Poland with an annual 95 liters per capita

08 Denmark with an annual 89.9 liters per capita

09 Finland with an annual 85.0 liters per capita

10 Luxembourg with an annual 84.4 liters per capita

Interesting facts-Difference between Curriculum and Syllabus

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Difference Between Curriculum and Syllabus

Curriculum is a focus of study, consisting of various courses all designed to reach a particular proficiency or qualification. For instance some high schools offer a college-prep curriculum, which is designed to prepare a student for the rigors of college study. Emphasis will be on the humanities (history, English, etc.) and sciences (biology, math, chemistry, physics, etc.). On the other hand, some high schools offer a vocational-prep curriculum, which includes specific skill-building courses (cosmetology, construction trades, electronics, computer science, etc.).

A syllabus is simply an outline and time line of a particular course. It will typically give a brief overview of the course objectives, course expectations, list reading assignments, homework deadlines, and exam dates. It is typically available on the first day of a college course, and a student is expected to know what is in the syllabus throughout the course. The purpose of the syllabus is to allow the student to work their schedule for their own maximum efficiency and effectiveness. It helps to avoid conflicts with other courses, and it prevents someone from accusing a professor of unfairly adding assignments mid-term.

Fascinating facts-Double Decker Hybrid hits London streets

2012-01-18T00:01:00.001-08:00

Double-Decker Hybrid hits the streets of London

The double-decker buses are a national icon of England. Recently hitting the streets, is the new hybrid double-decker, which is the work of designer Thomas Heatherwick in collaboration with specialist bus manufacturer Wrightbus.

The newly revamped bus combines a modern form with some inspiration from the 1950’s era Routemasters.

Amazing facts-The Tallest Teenager In The World

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

This girl is from Thailand and she is only 19 years old. At her age she has already beaten the tallest woman of 203.8 centimeters.

Hollywood's unsolved murder mysteries-Tupac Shakur

2012-01-17T00:01:00.001-08:00

Tupac Shakur

The famed rapper and actor was shot in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1996. He died four days later from the wounds sustained in the attack. It was widely assumed that Shakur was killed as part of a coast war between Tupac and Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, but that was debunked by the Smoking Gun. Meanwhile, Wallace was killed in a shooting less than a year later. Both crimes remain unsolved.

Interesting facts for kids-Difference between LCD and TFT

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Difference Between LCD and TFT

Liquid Crystal Displays or LCDs were created as an alternative to big and bulky CRT displays. They were energy efficient, thin, and light. But problems plagued earlier LCD models and made them far too inferior to CRT displays. As a remedy, traditional LCD construction methods were adapted to improve the performance of these displays. TFT or Thin Film Transistor was the solution they found. Instead of the traditional method of producing silicon transistors in wafers, TFT elements are deposited directly to the glass substrate.

The new method of producing the screen had a few immediate improvements. TFT made it possible to reduce the crosstalk between individual pixels resulting in a significant improvement in image quality. Crosstalk is when the signal of adjacent pixels affect the operation of the pixel. This deviates the brightness of pixels, making it brighter or dimmer than it was intended to be. TFT also solved, or at least minimized, the inherent problem of LCD that made it unusable for a lot of applications. LCD screens used to have a very high response time and it was not capable of reproducing fast motion. This problem made gaming and watching movies on these displays pretty terrible. The small transistor elements in a TFT display requires a smaller amount of charge to change its state. The lower charge needed translates directly to a faster response time. As development continued on TFT displays, the response time became lower and lower until LCDs were almost competitive with CRTs with respect to response time.

TFT was so successful that it became the standard in producing LCD screens. Today, all the LCDs being made are built with TFT. Even the newer screens being developed that use LEDs still utilize a TFT layer to drive the display. TFT might be totally replaced in the future by a superior technology but for now, it is the dominant element in all LCDs.

Summary:
1.LCD is a class of displays that uses transistors to create an image while TFT is one of the methods of creating an LCD
2.Instead of the traditional semiconductor creation process, TFT elements are directly deposited into a substrate that is usually made of glass
3.Displays made with TFT produces better images and are less prone to crosstalk compared to traditional LCD
4.TFT elements require a smaller amount of charge to activate allowing faster screen redraws
5.All LCD displays being produced today are now made with TFT