Basketball was initially played with a soccer ball and peach baskets, with officials needing to recover the ball each time a player scored. String baskets were introduced to the game around 1900, and subsequently, backboards were added to prevent spectators from blocking a shot.

Finding fireflies is one of the summer's joys. You might be able to spot a ghost firefly if you're in the Southern Appalachians; you'll know it when you see it because it will shine a distinctive blue-green color rather than the usual white.

The Rafflessia Arnoldia, often known as the 'corpse lily' due to its horrible odour when it blooms, is the world's largest flower. These enormous flowers are usually found in Indonesia's rainforests, are difficult to discover, and only endure a few days after the bud develops for months. The orangey, red, parasitic, five-petalled blossom has no visible stalk or leaves, can grow to be 3 feet tall, and weighs up to ten kilos. Dr. Oroardo Beccari, an Italian botanist and adventurer, found the bloom in the jungle of central Sumatra Island in 1878.

Purebred or pedigree dogs are either bred for a particular purpose, such as Newfoundlands as water rescue dogs or are indigenous to a particular region, such as Tibetan mastiffs, which flourish in the Himalayas but not in the humidity of Mumbai or the sweltering Delhi summers.

The official version at the time was that JFK's brain was simply "lost" during his autopsy. However, recently disclosed United States Government records showed in 2018 that his younger brother, Robert 'Bobby' Kennedy, had the brain discreetly destroyed to guarantee it was never shown in a museum.

Astronauts who return from space are 3% taller than when they left. Because of the lack of gravity, they are taller, and their cartilage discs expand in microgravity. You stand higher in the morning because your spine has been free of gravity's downward pull for 8 hours. The rest also allows your spinal disc cartilage to plump up, making you taller!

Grapefruit has one of the highest water levels of any fruit, at roughly 92%. It is therefore advantageous to general health.

During ancient times, animal skin was used to make blinds. Long ago, people who lived in hotter climates used animal hide to shield themselves from the sun's rays. They also used those materials as drapes to keep the interiors of their homes cool. The animal skins were soaked in water and hung on the doorways. As a result, the wind's effect created a cooling sensation, similar to natural coolers.

Because of the island's hidden coves and the absence of European powers for centuries, Madagascar was once a secure sanctuary for hundreds of pirates. Captain James Misson allegedly established an anarchist colony (Libertatia) there in the late 17th century, whereas Ile Sainte-Marie, four miles off Madagascar's east coast, was simply referred to on maps as "the island of pirates" at the time. When they weren't robbing treasure, countless brigands, including Captain Kidd, found refuge there. Some are buried in the cemetery on the island.

That is correct. They can transition from one gender to another at any time. The switch is determined by which is most suitable for mating at the time. Oysters normally begin as males and mature into females. Another fascinating oyster truth is that the substrate to which it attaches itself shapes this sea species! It adheres to the surface occupied by a cluster of oysters (known as the bed) and continues to build around it.

Cardiovascular disease accounts for 70-75% of type 2 diabetes mortality (Kings Fund Policy Institute, 1996). Insulin resistance raises the risk of cardiovascular disease before the onset of type 2 diabetes. Hyperinsulinaemia has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (Ruige et al, 1998). The metabolic and systemic alterations associated with insulin resistance caused this elevated risk: insulin resistance syndrome.

It's not cool to blow out a candle since soot and smoke are produced. Additionally, you run the risk of releasing hot wax droplets into the neighborhood.

 Historical records state that 2000 people helped with his funeral arrangements. His army killed these 2000 individuals. Then, his escort killed the army. In addition, the escort killed anyone who got in their way so they could hide and bury him there. Finally, according to the legend, they committed suicide upon arriving at their destination. The slaves who built Genghis Khan's tomb were also murdered by his soldiers after it was finished. After that, soldiers perished as well. Thus, anyone who is aware of the burial site was either dead or killed.

Many people visit Birmingham Cathedral, but few realise that its stained glass windows were designed by Edward Burne-Jones, a notable Pre-Raphaelite. Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, has a blue plaque commemorating his birthplace.

Google Analytics indicates that interest in crochet has surpassed interest in knitting, and the numbers are still rising. Since 2011, crochet-related searches have consistently outpaced knitting-related searches, and it appears that this trend will continue. Find out more about it here!

The music of Wilhelmus, the Dutch national anthem, dates back to between 1569 and 1572. This makes it the oldest melody used in a country’s national anthem, although it did not become the official Dutch anthem until 1932. 

The lyrics were also written at least 400 years ago and they refer to “Dietse Bloed”, an old word for Nederlands (Dutch).

Because we all have different skin types, there are different moisturizers that work for everyone. If you have sensitive skin, avoid using moisturizers that include scent. Avoid products with added oils and other compounds that are known to clog pores if you have oily skin.

Halloween goes by various names, even though kids often refer to October 31 as the finest day of their lives. Other names for the celebration include Samhain, All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Eve, Witches Night, Summer's End, and Snap-Apple Night.

Since roughly 600 B.C., when a child has paraded around in a basket in honour of Dionysus, the god of fertility, an infant has been a symbol of the occasion (and wine). The infant symbolises the rebirth that occurs at the beginning of each new year.

We don't even know how many stars there are in the cosmos. We now use our best estimate of the number of stars in our own galaxy, the Milky Way. Then we increase that figure by our best estimation for the number of galaxies in the cosmos. After all of that calculation, NASA can confidently state that there are zillions upon zillions of uncountable stars. A billion is an endless number.

This bridge was inaugurated by our Prime Minister on 26th May. It has been renamed after Assam’s iconic singer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The total length of the bridge is 9.15 km, making it the longest bridge in India.