Because they generate sound through lip vibration, instruments like conch shells and shofars (made of hollowed-out animal horns) are still regarded as brass. Since they haven't undergone much modification from their original state and don't have valves or slides to regulate pitch, they are frequently referred to as "natural trumpets." Despite being primarily made of brass, other traditional brass instruments like trumpets and trombones may also contain some copper or other metals.

The term Ragnarök refers to the violent rebirth of the world, during which many gods were destroyed in the Norse mythology that inspired the Thor comics. Because the third Thor film isn't well-known in Japan, Marvel gave it a much more evocative title. As a result, Thor: Ragnarok was renamed Mighty Thor: Battle Royale, after a famous Japanese novel and film about child competitors fighting to the death in an arena. (The Hunger Games did not invent this concept.) Because Thor is forced to compete for the Grandmaster's amusement, the title has been changed.

He was essential in determining how India could extract power from its large thorium reserves rather than its meagre uranium reserves, a novel strategy in the world.

Since 2011, all children aged six to eight in the former Soviet republic have been required to take chess lessons. It is the first country in the world to include it in the primary school curriculum alongside standards such as math and history.

Nepal is home to 5,980 flowering plant species, 2% of the world's orchids, and 6% of rhododendron species. The country is home to over 250 species of flora and fauna, including 870 species of birds (roughly 8% of the world's total), 650 species of butterflies, and the world's largest moths and honeybees. The Chitwan National Park is a protected area for endangered and rare animals like Asia's one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal Tiger.

These magnificent reptiles have been known to travel entire oceans in quest of food! They usually nest on tropical and subtropical beaches, and certain Leatherbacks (a type of sea turtle) can endure extremely cold temperatures (as low as 30 F).

Pigeons are extremely swift birds, which is why they make excellent messengers. They are also excellent racers due to their speed. Pigeon racing is a surprisingly profitable enterprise, and racing pigeons can be extremely pricey—the most expensive pigeon ever sold was approximately $1,900,000!

If you or someone you know has ever quit smoking with nicotine gum, you can thank Sweden. Nicorette, the first product, was created by Leo AB in Helsingborg. It was inspired by the fact that while on duty, smoking Swedish submariners would switch from tobacco to chewing tobacco or snus to get their nicotine fix. Nicorette wasn't the first time nicotine was placed in chewing gum, but they did design a polymer that regulated the flow of nicotine into the bloodstream, allowing for a continuous release and a gradual withdrawal, allowing millions of people to stop for good.

You said you'd check your Facebook alerts immediately, but 15 minutes later you're still scrolling? You're not by yourself. Part of this is due to endless scroll: when you can stay on the site without engaging or clicking, your brain does not receive the "stop" message.

Another proof that reinforces the fact that the origin of Tandoori chicken took place in the Harappa Civilization is the mention of roasting the meat, after marinating it in the spices, in the clay oven in the Susruta Samhita. 

 

Sideshots are no longer available, but updated Snack Bites make it (sort of) acceptable to eat Hot Pockets in between meals. They're similar to Totino's Pizza Rolls, except they come in more varieties, such as Cheesy Beef Nacho, Buffalo-Style Chicken, and Sausage, Egg & Cheese.

Arnold Schwarzenegger really got a good deal when he signed on for Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The Austrian Oak was paid the huge sum of $15 million. Arnie only speaks 700 words in the blockbuster hit, which equates to $21,428 per word. It might seem excessive, but considering the film went on to make around $520 million worldwide, it seems like a smart investment by the studio. 

 

If the Bible contains the earliest reference to the passport, the origin of the two French words 'passer' + 'port' meaning "to pass through a port" dates from the 15th century. It was also written as a compound word at the time, "passport." From the middle of the 15th century, the compound name "passport" was used to refer to the movement of people after it was first used to authorize the movement of goods. However, it is not certain that the term "port" referred solely to seaports, but rather to the gates of fortified cities.

The Pope is guarded by 135 Swiss troops known as the Pontifical Swiss Gaurd. They were initially engaged in 1506 by Pope Julius II, who required personal security from Church adversaries. They are immediately identified by their brightly coloured striped jerseys. Anyone can join the Swiss guard, but they must be male, between the ages of 19 and 30, and 5' 8" tall. In addition, one must be a Christian and have undergone basic military training.

We are the world's second-largest silk producer (after China) and third-largest cotton grower. With such a rich history and abundance, it's only natural that the majority of our clothing incorporates these materials.

The silly term is thought to have been created by fusing two French words: saquer (to draw) and bouter (to shove). The sackbuts of the Renaissance were the forerunners of the trombone, despite having a slightly different size and shape.

2012 was a golden time for Apple. Because there are reports saying that Apple has sold about 3, 50,000 iPhones per day in 2012.

Hypnosis, contrary to popular belief, is a natural state of mind. It is not a type of sleep. Scientists have repeatedly demonstrated that patients remain fully awake and in control of their actions while under hypnosis. Although hypnotic induction may appear frightening or intimidating at first, many patients feel more at ease after at least one session.

Unfortunately, they are poor breeders, making it difficult for them to rebound from their falling position. Females reach sexual maturity at seven or eight but do not normally begin breeding until a couple of years later. Males reach sexual maturity at a much later age.

Who can forget Gwyneth Paltrow's sobbing during her 1999 acceptance speech for Best Actress for "Shakespeare in Love"? Or Julia Roberts, who burst out laughing and neglected to thank "Erin Brockovich," the subject of her movie. However, Greer Garson, an actress, received the award for Best Supporting Actress in 1934 and delivered a speech that was seven minutes long.

In Arizona, a law was brought into effect after a public menace case in 1924. A merchant used to allow his donkey to sleep in a bathtub and when the town flooded, the donkey was washed a mile down the valley. The donkey survived, but locals spent a lot of time and manpower to save the animal. This law was passed shortly after.

Several studies on insomnia have indicated that persistent cigarette smokers have greater incidences of insomnia symptoms such as sleep deprivation, longer sleep latency, increased rapid eye movement, sleep density, and more bouts of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Nabataeans, like many other ancient peoples, revered the sun as a source of light and life, and Petra's design reflects that reverence. Many of the city's most sacred spaces are designed to correspond to solar patterns, such as solstices. This meticulous design provides modern scientists and archaeologists with valuable insight into what the Nabataeans valued and how unique Petra must have been.