Fennel seeds are supposed to help reduce gas because of their great digestive effects and antibacterial capabilities. This seed facilitates bowel movement by increasing digestive motility and preventing gas build-up. And, because of its antibacterial properties (mostly derived from anethole, an organic molecule in the seed), it stops bacteria from developing and emitting gases in the first place.

There is no clear link between a full moon and howling wolves. Wolves communicate by howling, and they elevate their heads to make the sound go further. Wolves may also howl in full darkness. However, because moonlight evenings are generally windless, the howling is just easier to hear. Furthermore, without moonlight, it is impossible to observe a howling wolf.

The typhoon season lasts from May to November, and Hong Kong has a very effective infrastructure in place to deal with these intense tropical storms. A T1 signal implies that a storm is on its way. Then a T3 indicates that the storm intensifies, so schoolchildren and the elderly should stay home. Winds up to 180km/h swirl across the city during a T8 or T10, closing businesses and public transportation.

When Perseus took Medusa’s head, we are told that something extraordinary happened. When Medusa was raped by Poseidon, it seems that she got pregnant but for some reason, never gave birth. Consequently, when her head was removed, two children sprang from the opening. These were Chrysaor and Pegasus. Chrysaor became the father of the three-headed (or three-bodied) giant Geryon who is mainly known for his fight with Hercules. Pegasus was a winged horse and one of the most famous mythological beings. So why did Gorgon Medusa give birth to a horse? This must have to do with the fact that Poseidon was, amongst others, the god of horses.

Yes, you read that correctly. According to Sveaskog, forests cover around 57% of Sweden. That equates to 23 million hectares or roughly the size of the United Kingdom. The Swedish Forestry Act governs forest management in terms of both production and the environment. The Act, among other things, says that there is a responsibility to reestablish forest after it has been felled.

The English parliament was so outraged by lipstick, of all things, that they attempted to outlaw it in 1650, citing the compulsion of painting, wearing black patches, and women's immodest attire. That endeavor was a failure. However, Britain did effectively outlaw lipstick in 1770. According to the legislature, women were duping men into marriage by using lipstick and other cosmetics. Parliament successfully linked lipstick to witchcraft and promised to annul any marriages caused by lipstick. Let's be real. You wouldn't have to apply lipstick as frequently if it were a type of witchcraft.

Anovulatory (absence of egg release from the ovary) infertility occurs in almost 75% of PCOS patients. Most PCOS patients conceive either spontaneously or with treatment for egg release with either oral medications or injections. 

In 2016, two people from Northern California filed a class-action lawsuit after suggesting that Starbucks has a system that means lattes are 25% smaller than the menu claims. The company maintains that this is not true and in January, the lawsuit was dismissed, according to Reuters.

Making seven wishes while jumping seven waves is considered good luck, so you can bet on a good old New Year's beach celebration in Rio de Janeiro!

Shells left over during lobster processing are typically discarded in landfills. A University of Maine researcher designed golf balls with a core made of lobster shells in an effort to make them valuable and keep the money in the lobster industry. They're also biodegradable, making them ideal for golfing on cruise ships or on courses near bodies of water.

World War I was a disaster on scales that most of us alive now cannot understand. What about this as an example? The total number of fatalities. France lost about 1,360,000 men during World War I. In comparison, the United States has reported around 1,350,000 military casualties in total throughout all wars since 1775.

Around 1770, Franz Mesmer is credited with bringing hypnosis to the public's attention. The Austrian physician was probably aware of earlier societies' use of hypnosis, and he spent much of his career researching hypnosis, hypnotic techniques, and its effects on the human mind. Interestingly, Mesmer referred to hypnosis as "animal magnetism" or "mesmerism," and the latter term is still used occasionally today. (We're guessing you're completely enthralled by this fact.)

No, not an elaborate April Fool. Many cats have lived at the Museum over the years. Perhaps the most famous was Mike, who guarded the main gate between 1909 and 1929. When he died, his obituary appeared in the Evening Standard and TIME magazine. The picture above shows Mike in action.

 

The Swedish capital has to have one of the nicest public transportation systems in the world. When you go into a Stockholm metro station, you are considered to be visiting the "world's longest art display." It stretches for more than 110 kilometers (68 miles). Over 150 artists adorned approximately 90 of the 100 stations in diverse themes and shapes. Mosaics, paintings, installations, sculptures, and other forms are included.

The Han Dynasty was the first to produce genuine Chinese porcelain (206 BC– 220 AD). Its production remained an important national art form until the last imperial dynasty, the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).

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.

In any case, it's not a conventional sphinx. Although greatly influenced by Egyptian and later Mesopotamian legend, the ancient Greek representation of the Sphinx consisted of a lion's body, a woman's head, and a bird's wings. Technically, Giza's male-identifying landmark is an androsphinx. The absence of wings further complicates its recognised classification.

Most people are familiar with Volkswagen's classic range of campervans, the Kombi, or even the Beetle. Currywurst sausages are a lesser-known food produced by Volkswagen's facilities. Why on earth would Volkswagen create sausages? VW constructed a facility in a secluded place and chose to prepare their own meals for the industrial workers. Volkswagen ended up selling its sausages commercially because they were so popular. Volkswagen's sausages are so popular that they generate more income than the company's automobiles!!

According to the NRF, 2.2 million kids are expected to dress up as Spiderman for Halloween in 2022, while 1.9 million kids are expected to dress up as their favorite princesses. Another 1.6 million kids will dress up as witches, while 1.3 million kids will don ghost costumes.

The fight against air pollution must include tax breaks for cars with low and zero emissions. Massive investments in environmentally friendly public transportation and better-integrated walking and cycling routes are also necessary to encourage people to abandon their cars altogether.

The business created special socks that could detect when a user fell asleep and stop the show/movie so they didn't miss anything when they awoke. This pair of socks, dubbed 'Netflix Socks,' includes a sewn-in electrical gadget that monitors your pulse.