Alaska is surrounded by oceans to the north, west, and south, and its beautiful coastal environment draws many visitors each year. Taking an Alaskan cruise is a terrific way to see the abundant coastal species and scenic panoramas along some of the state's huge tidal shorelines.

The Khajuraho temples are thought to represent the pinnacle of Indian architectural talent during the mediaeval period.

So, why do we call the core of a pencil "lead"? Graphite was initially thought to be a type of lead when it was discovered. Today's pencils are made of graphite and clay, a combination first introduced by Conté in 1795.

Lamellae, a hair-like structure that lines the beaks and tongues of flamingos, helps them sift dirt and silt from their prey.

The Welland Canal was completed in 1829, connecting Lake Ontario to Lake Erie and providing a route from the Atlantic Ocean inland. Within 100 years, marine lampreys utilized the canal to take over all five lakes.

Females tend to live longer than males, and they also mature sexually more quickly. Within the first year of life, male and female round stingrays, a species known for their rapid growth, reach 58% and 70% of their entire size, respectively. Males only live five to seven years on average, while females live an average of 15 to 22 years.

The bulk of this deep subseafloor biosphere develops incredibly slowly in comparison to life on the top, with cell division estimated to occur once per 10-1000 years or so. Scientists are discovering new microscopic life sources further and deeper beneath the ocean than ever before. In March, a team of scientists announced that they had discovered signs of bacteria in rocks 400 feet below the seafloor—the deepest ever discovered.

Thanks to its microscopic budget and major success at the box office, the 2007 film Paranormal Activity, scored a return on investment of 19,758 percent, absolutely blowing away the next most profitable film (2015 horror film Gallows, with an ROI of 6,843 percent). It cost just $60,000 to make and another $400,000 or so to market, yet ultimately brought in more than $89 million.

Switzerland is a global leader in recycling and trash management. The Swiss have succeeded in separating and recycling organic and recyclable garbage while transforming the remainder into electricity. Furthermore, Switzerland supplies virtually all of its residents with CO2-free power. According to FDFA, Switzerland has begun an energy transition process ("Energy Strategy 2050") since 2011, with the goal of gradually phase out nuclear power.

This is because redheads are more sensitive to hot and cold discomfort, according to a study. Nothing to do with their legendary fiery temper!

Many marching bands use sousaphones instead of traditional tubas because they are easier to walk with. The sousaphone got its name from the famous march composer John Philip Sousa, who made several requests and suggestions for its design

Popcorn has long been linked with the cinema, or more recently, the microwave, but while many of us may have questioned why popcorn pops, few of us have inquired where popcorn comes from. Thousands of years ago, the ancient peoples of the Americas cultivated the variety of maize that produces popcorn. Popcorn relics going back 6.700 years have been unearthed in Peru. So, the next time you grab a handful of your favourite food, remember to thank someone other than Orville Redenbacher.

Rattlesnakes have vertical pupils in their eyes like cats, unlike grass snakes. According to studies, the slit pupils of rattlesnakes aid in their ability to perceive depth, which helps them ambush their prey. According to 2015 research, species like rattlesnakes that have vertically extended pupils are more likely to be ambush predators who prey both during the day and at night.

In 1925, Benito Mussolini founded a dictatorship in Italy, which he controlled until 1945. Mussolini, known as Il Duce at his peak, was not always a fascist. In reality, he began his political career as a radical socialist and served as Prime Minister of Italy until 1922. During WWII, he allied Italy with Germany and was killed by partisan fighters in 1945.

Boys are naturally group-oriented. They want to be accepted. They like to play group games and form structured friendship groups. Boys, on the whole, do not want to stand out from the crowd. Don't make fun of them in front of their friends, and be aware that they may make poor friendship choices rather than being in a group of one – by themselves. They would rather have the "wrong friends" than no friends at all.

This is absolutely true, and you may have already noticed it if you've ever tried to feed a dog that is wary of people. He or she will put their tail between their hind legs out of fear, which is an obvious sign that they are frightened and do not like your approach. Simply be patient in this case, or put the food down and leave the vicinity; they will eat it later. When fighting with other dogs, they frequently tuck their tails between their back legs.

Jelly donut is referred to as a Berliner, but not in Berlin. Pfannkuchen is the term used in Berlin. He did in fact give a speech that day. Kennedy was also known to struggle with learning foreign languages. However, he was conscious of his words while he gave that speech. Kennedy made the right statement. In reality, he deviated from his prepared remarks and gave a moving speech to the nervous Berliners.

The oldest person to win an Oscar was Jessica Tandy at the age of 81. She won the Best Actress Award for her part in 'Driving Miss Daisy'.

Before he became renowned, Missouri native Jon Hamm taught high school drama for a year at a St. Louis school. Ellie Kemper, the actress, was one of his classmates. Years later, they collaborated on "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."

Because of their rigid bodies, sunflowers can be used all over your house as decorations or even as bird feeders, but did you know they also make a great scrubbing pad? All those flowers are very effective at removing the grime from your favorite pots and pans. Sunflowers can be used as the ideal single-use scrubbing pad after drying.

While the turkey is now America's favorite portion of the Thanksgiving dinner, these large birds were proclaimed as vehicles of the gods by the Mayan people around 300 B.C. and were venerated as such, so much so that they were tamed to play roles in religious ceremonies. They were power and prestige emblems that may be found throughout Maya iconography and archaeology.

In no way are fairies dangerous to people. They can be a serious threat to other insects because they are parasites of other insects.

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), education can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. By keeping the brain engaged as we age, this is achieved. By engaging in a variety of activities, such as taking classes, learning a new language, playing an instrument, and engaging in group activities, you can help reduce the odds.

Physics confirms what you've probably known since childhood: wet or moist snow is ideal for making your own backyard Frosty. According to one scientist, the ideal snow-to-water ratio is 5:1.