10 things we didn't know before the 39th week of 2009

1. The UK produces 8% of the world's scientific papers, the third most behind the US and China.
2. Ken Livingstone was twice rejected for a cameo in EastEnders.
3. Colin Powell speaks Yiddish.
4. Tesco sells two sewing machines every minute.
5. Homes are 4C warmer, on average, than they were 50 years ago.
6. Turtles can swim 900km (559 miles) in a month.
7. Coffins can be made out of banana leaves. Keith Floyd was buried in one.
8. Michael Jackson had tattooed eyebrows and lips.
9. The most common names for swingers are Paul and Catherine.
10. There are about 100 million bubbles in a bottle of champagne.

 (Borrowed from the BBC)