A Lichen is Both a Fungus and an Algae Fact
A lichen isn’t. a plant, it is a dual organism that is both a fungus and algae. The term symbiosis was even coined to describe this phenomenon.
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After researching a “factoid,” curating the best citations and videos we can find in the process (the best evidence of any sort), we rate the overarching statement (proposition) as “fact” or “myth” (thus assigning a certain truth-value to the proposition based on research). We then explain our position in as simple and clear terms as possible to build a case for our conclusion, using citations and offering insight into counterpoints (we back up our assigned truth-value by presenting an informal argument, generally written in essay form).
It isn’t that we are always correct, in fact we are only human (as Montaigne said, “what do I know?”, as Plato’s Socrates had previously answered “I know that I know nothing“, although as Lincoln said, “I am not a Know-Nothing“). In fact, that is an important part of the site, we are always digging deeper and seeking alternative viewpoints!
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A lichen isn’t. a plant, it is a dual organism that is both a fungus and algae. The term symbiosis was even coined to describe this phenomenon.
Beavers secrete a goo from their butts called castoreum. Castoreum has a vanilla scent and is sometimes used as an artificial flavoring in foods.
Studies show that taking a low dose of aspirin a day can help prevent cardiovascular events like a heart attack or stroke and have other benefits. However, other studies have shown aspirin to increase the risk of bleeding, especially in the stomach.
Some Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 monthly premium, so they are free in that sense. However, all $0 premium plans have other costs like Part B premiums, coinsurance, and copayments.
You can overdose on black licorice. This is due to the way a compound derived from licorice root can cause potassium levels to fall to dangerous levels.
Goldfish possess a memory span far exceeding three seconds. Research has demonstrated that their memory can last for several months.
For a long time, people thought the Appendix was useless, that it was a “vestigial organ”. However, recent research has shown the appendix acts as a safe house for good bacteria.
There is an idea that the reason “Moshi” is said twice in the Japanese phrase “Moshi Moshi” is that ghosts can’t say “Moshi” twice. Thus, saying “Moshi Moshi” proves you aren’t a ghost. This is unlikely to be the true root of “Moshi Moshi.” It is more likely “Moshi Moshi” is simply an evolution of the telephone hello used by telephone operators.
Due to the way terminal velocity caps the maximum speed that something can fall, a small and light object like a penny will never gain enough speed to kill someone regardless of how high it is dropped from.
Twinkies don’t last forever, but they can go a long time without spoiling (up to 30 years, by one estimate). The “sell-by” shelf life of a Twinkie is 45 days. After that, they go hard and brittle.
Isaac Newton didn’t just buy the top in the South Sea bubble. He bought early, sold for a modest profit, then bought back in near the top after seeing others get rich, only to sell near the bottom for a loss of £20,000 (roughly £1.2 mil in 2021 adjusted for inflation).
Truth and facts have a lot in common, but they are not exactly the same. Truth is something that is the case. Facts are true statements. Truth is best described using facts and logical reasoning.
Price’s Law says, “half of the publications come from the square root of all contributors.” This is sometimes used to support the idea that “a few people generate half the results.”
Oil prices went negative on April 20th, 2020. This essentially translated to oil producers paying buyers to take oil. This was the result of a lack of demand for oil causing a lack of storage / a fear of a lack of storage.
The main differences between Trump, Biden, and Bernie on healthcare centers around how insurance is paid for and what benefits are included. That then impacts who gets insurance, what it costs, and what taxes look like.
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