Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in FYI.

The Mighty Stem Cell Part 1
The MIGHTY Stem Cell: What exactly are stem cells and how do they function? What medical uses are theorized, currently in research trials, and which are a reality at present? There are few medical advances that aren't morally and ethically challenged at some point of the approval process. Stem cells are no exception. Can it cure cancer? Will it make the paralyzed walk? Can it grow a human being from a single stem cell? Understanding stem cells takes a bit of science, ethics, and bit of hope in the future.
By Lady Karina Benish5 years ago in FYI
Uncommon Syndromes
Uncommon Syndromes, that I am afflicted with 1. Foreign Accent Syndrome This syndrome happens when you suddenly start to speak with a different accent. It is most common after a head injury or stroke. I had a head injury when I was 4 years old, after I fell down the stairs. I never really thought much about my head injury until as I got older, people would ask me “What is your nationality?” I would tell them, I was Canadian and they would usually ask, “But where were you born?” I would tell them Canada and they would usually ask, “Where were your parents born?”, and I would tell them Canada. So, they would usually say, “Oh, so you’re Canadian.” Being a polite Canadian I would never tell them what I was thinking … “That’s what I said the first time, you moron!”
By Roy Tsukishima5 years ago in FYI
The Ultimate Sacrifice of Captain Oates
“I am just going outside and I may be some time”. Those were the last recorded words of Captain Lawrence Oates, who stepped into a blizzard in Antarctica on 16th March 1912 and was never seen again. The recorder of those words was Captain Robert Falcon Scott, who kept a diary until shortly before his own death some two weeks later, also defeated in the attempt to survive the terrible conditions of the southern continent.
By John Welford5 years ago in FYI
Captain Morgan and an Unwise Pig Roast
Captain Henry Morgan was a notorious privateer and pirate during the 17th century. He suffered an unfortunate setback when a celebratory pig roast cost him a lot more than he had bargained for.
By John Welford5 years ago in FYI
That Time When Parents Mailed Their Kids
The unofficial “motto” of the United States Postal Service is, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." The words above, often considered to be the motto, are chiseled in gray granite over the entrance to the New York City Post Office on 8th Avenue. Although the Post Office isn't utilized as much as times past because of our current digital age, we continue to acknowledge the important role they play in our society. We count on them to deliver handwritten letters and cards. We expect the Postal Service to bring our dreaded utility bills or credit card statements, and stuff them in our mailbox. In fact, our culture places a great amount of trust in these mail carriers. About a century ago, a few people relied on the postal service so much, some even shipped their children through the mail.
By Bryan R..5 years ago in FYI
4 Cognitive Benefits That Distinguish Bilinguals from Monolinguals
Bonjour, Hello, Ola, Szia, Gamarjoba! In how many languages can you greet people? If you speak at least one more language besides your mother tongue, you are bilingual!
By Victoria Kurichenko5 years ago in FYI
The April Calendar of Celebrations, Part One. Top Story - March 2021.
Spring is here, hopefully, and the world is beginning to emerge from more than a year of lockdowns, shutdowns and states-of-emergency. Our freedom and safety might still be fragile but the time is starting to feel right for a celebration...or thirty.
By TheSpinstress 5 years ago in FYI
The One with All the Fun Facts
I've pretty much watched Friends about a million times. It's fun, it's relatable, it's somewhat raw and it's a no brainer for when you're having a really sucky day and it just feels like: "Damn, no one ever tells you life is going to be that way." But I've found it to be somewhat educational and helpful, too. Some of these might gross you out but some will just make you question everything you ever thought you knew. These are the top three fun facts I've learned from watching Friends.
By A.J.5 years ago in FYI
The story of the water appearance for the first time on the earth
It is quite understandable to query about how the earth gets water. But if you like to delve deep into it, then you will see that my natural blasting theory is the prime reason for it. The reason is that when the earth was born 4.5 billion years ago, then the atmosphere of the earth was so hot and not conducive for creating any kind of life-producing process. Therefore, the earth was forming from a highly gaseous material to a substantial one. But in the initial stage of earth birth, the earth couldn't make any kind of chemical process for life development as well.
By Manik Roy5 years ago in FYI
(What Do You Call a Dinosaur Fart?) A Blast From the Past
Some people may say fart jokes are immature but, I often find, there is a methane to the madness. In today’s news cycle, we are constantly reminded of the great many things that divide one human being from the next. Beliefs, skin colour, language, culture, location, income, the list goes on. Less often spoken of are the threads which undeniably tie our lives together. We are each born, we will each die, and along the in-between we will all pass gas at an embarrassing, inopportune moment and live to laugh about it.
By Imaan W5 years ago in FYI
Coffee: The Most Powerful Weapon of the Civil War
If you drink coffee, think about the last time you really needed a cup. Maybe it was while trying to cure grogginess the morning after a night of partying. Maybe it was halfway through a particularly exhausting shift at work. Maybe it was while frantically cramming the night before a test. Now imagine you are a soldier during the Civil War. Bullets are whizzing past your head. People next to you are screaming in agony after being shot. You frantically reload your burning hot musket and try to fire off as many shots as you can to avoid getting killed. Would you want a cup of coffee?
By Alex Pellitteri5 years ago in FYI
Bikini Bottom Was Actually a Nuclear Testing Site. Third place in (Un)Common Knowledge Challenge. Top Story - March 2021.
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Things are rarely as they seem. The innocent and silly SpongeBob SquarePants is no exception. First premiering in 1999 the show was wildly popular with children and adults alike. Created by a marine educator turned animator, Stephen Hillenburg, few people are aware of the sinister beginnings of Bikini Bottom, the home of SpongeBob and friends.
By Maria Calderoni5 years ago in FYI