Air Pollution
Portion of Americans who live in areas harmful levels of air pollution: 1/2 Number of the top five most polluted cities in the country that are in California: 5
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THE FASTEST TRAINS
A magnetic levitation passenger train set a world speed record of 375 m.p.h. (603 km/h) on a test track in Japan on April 21. Here are top operating speeds, in miles per hour, of some of the world’s other fastest trains: Shanghai Maglev Train, China: 268 TGV, France: 199 AVE, Spain: 193 Sapsan, Russia: 155 Acela Express, U.S.: 150
Read moreRight place, right time
Cary Clevenger, 14, was playing with his friend Gavin Starns outside Gavin’s house in Austin when he happened to look up. Perched on the ledge of a second-story window was Gavin’s 2-year-old brother, Cannon. At that moment, Cannon pushed through the screen and tumbled forward. He bounced off an exterior lamp—and into Cary’s arms. The two hit the ground but were […]
Read moreWORLD’S MOST COMMON HEALTH COMPLAINTS
A major Gates Foundation- backed study found that over 95% of people in 2013 lived with a health problem. The leading issues varied across the 188 countries surveyed: U.S. Back pain Ireland Major depressive disorder Saudi Arabia Diabetes Iraq Iron-deficiency anemia Burma Hearing loss Qatar Opioid dependence
Read moreDeck Chairs Thwart Pirates
Somali pirates who tried to storm a luxury cruise ship were sent packing by a group of retired British and German tourists wielding deck chairs. When the armed pirates pulled up to the ship off the coast of Somalia, the elderly passengers picked up whatever deck furniture they could find to repel the invaders. The pirates peppered the boat with […]
Read morePercentage of Earnings In The U.S.
The top 20 percent of taxpayers—those earning $134,300 or more—account for about 84 percent of all federal income tax revenue. When you include all federal taxes, including those on Social Security and Medicare, the top quintile’s share drops to 67 percent. The top 20 percent earn about 51 percent of total U.S. income.
Read more8 Year Old Donates Hair
For the past two years, Christian McPhilamy, 8, has put up with a lot of teasing over his long blond locks. But nothing could discourage the Florida boy from growing his hair to help other kids who have lost theirs. McPhilamy started his mission at age 6 after seeing an ad for a children’s hospital. When his hair recently reached […]
Read more7 GOOD REASONS TO BEFRIEND A SHARK
If nightmares about Jaws are keeping you from taking a dip in the ocean, relax. You’re much less appetizing than you think. 11: U.S. fatalities from sharks, 1990-2006 16: U.S. fatalities from collapsing sand holes, 1990-2006 1 in 310,733: Odds of dying in a fireworks accident 1 in 3,750,000: Odds of dying in a shark attack 80: Total unprovoked shark attacks around the world in 2012 30 Million: Sharks killed by people each year 219: Estimated […]
Read moreDO YOU USE SOCIAL MEDIA?
The Pew Research Center asked adult Internet users in 32 developing and emerging countries if they use social networks. Here’s a sampling of who said yes: Philippines 93% Venezuela 88% Indonesia 86% Egypt 78% China 58%
Read moreKilowatts of Energy Used in Ethiopia and the U.S.
Kilowatt-hours of energy used each year by the average Ethiopian citizen: 52 By the average U.S. refrigerator: 454
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