Portion of Americans who are currently taking at least one prescription drug: 1/2 Who are taking five or more: 1/10 Estimated number of U.S. children aged two or three being prescribed ADHD medication: 14,000
Read more
Some 480,000 suspects are currently locked up in American jails awaiting trial. About 75 percent of them are low-level offenders accused of nonviolent infractions, and are in jail simply because they can’t afford to post bail.
Read more
FIGHT BACK! But forget that old saw about punching them in the nose. The International Shark Attack File recommends that you borrow a page from a pro-wrestling villain and gouge its eyes or claw at its gills, which are more sensitive than its nose. Or you could just befriend some dolphins. On at least two occasions in 2004 and 2007, […]
Read more
“The worlds largest oil rig exploded and sank off Brazil. The company said the environmental impact would be minimal, partly because of the isolated location, and partly because they re lying through their teeth.” – Jon Stewart
Read more
Number of square miles of seabed in international waters that were under contract for mining operations in 2000: 0 That are today: 463,323
Read more
A British survey found that the average man looks at himself in the mirror 23 times a day, compared with 16 times for women. Men like to “admire” their appearance, researchers found, while women simply make sure “they look OK.”
Read more
A record 38 million people were displaced in their own countries at the end of 2014, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. Here’s a sampling: Syria – 7.6 million Colombia – 6 million Democratic Republic of Congo – 2.8 million Pakistan – 1.9 million Turkey – 1 million
Read more
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
Read more
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 more
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 more