Page 127 - Science Facts

A head of human hair is strong enough to support the weight of two elephants.

Dr. Frederic Leroy of L'Oréal research thinks really highly of hair. In his research he has found that a single strand of hair can hold about 100g (3oz) of weight. However, most people grow about 150,000 strands on their head. 

According to Dr. Leroy, if we harnessed the strength of those strands, we'd be able to support 12 tonnes, which is 2 elephant's worth! Pound per pound, the Dr. says, it's not as strong as steel, but it's more like aluminium or Kevlar. 

Read more about hair here.

Iran has the highest female to male ratio in universities among all sovereign states.

In Iran, more than 70% of alumni in engineering and pure sciences are women. The country’s literacy rate is at 80% well above the 60% average for the region.

Their school system is similar to the US in that it has primary education as K-12 and higher education degrees are at 2 year, 4 year, and doctoral programs. Iranian universities graduate 750,000 skilled students annually. Women were given greater opportunities in receiving education after the Iranian Revolution. They definitely seem to use it to their advantage.

(Source) 

Who invented the bulletproof vest? The answer might surprise you!

You might imagine the inventor being someone from the Army or a policeman, but the true creator was a pizza delivery man! On July 21st, 1969, Richard Davis was delivering pizzas in Detroit when he was held up at gunpoint!

Luckily for the former marine, Davis had a gun of his own and shot two of the attackers but was hit twice himself. This incident gave him an idea for people like cops to avoid injury by wearing padding of some kind. The first prototype for the bulletproof vest was created by Davis out of a roll of nylon and the straps from his car’s seatbelt!

He went around to police stations shooting himself in the chest to demonstrate its power. Later, Davis created a second vest design using Kevlar, which is 230% stronger than nylon!

(Source) 

If you lived here, you would have to wear a gas mask when you're outside

It's a set of volcanic islands called Izu Islands, off of Japan that have so much sulfur that it’s resident’s must wear gas masks outside. In early 2000 the islands were evacuated, due to a volcano emiting dangerous gasses. In 2005, people were allowed to go back, but they were required to keep a gas mask with them at all times.

Scientists are on the volcanic islands to conduct experiments on the deteriorating land and atmosphere. Those who live there have to wear gas masks for most of the day. So, watch out for the Izu Islands or bring a gas mask!

(Sources 1, 2) 

Money can have the same effect on the brain as using drugs

According to research, making money can cause chemical changes in the brain leading to addiction! For some personality types, money is as addicting as cocaine is. When you pick a career for the shear financial profit of it, each year’s amount becomes the floor that you must succeed from.

Psychologists showed that the exhilarating feelings of earning more and more for those who earn high amounts of money have chemical changes happening in their brain that makes them addicted to it.

(Source)