From fact to fiction

Don't do this! 10 popular myths busted by science

Image: Hartono Creative Studio

Some claim that humans only use 10% of our brains, others say that eating turkey makes you sleepy, and everyone has heard the supposed remedy for a jellyfish sting. Like these, there are many well-known myths we frequently repeat without giving them much thought. Fortunately, science has taken the time to put these ideas to the test to see if they are true: it turned out that they were not! Join us to discover these 10 popular myths that science has debunked.

Image: David Foodphototasty

For centuries, both children's tales and cartoons have depicted the idea that cheese and mice are inseparable. However, science has revealed that mice don’t have a particular preference for cheese over other types of food. Although this is a common stereotype, mice are more drawn to foods high in sugar, such as candy or fruit.

Now you know—next time you’re setting a mouse trap, you might want to bait it with a Snickers bar instead of a piece of cheese.

Image: Claudio Schwarz

There is a famous myth going around that claims eating turkey can make you sleepy. However, this is not exactly the case. The myth arises because turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin, essential for promoting sleep. However, the amount of tryptophan in turkey is not enough to make you drowsy. So, you can enjoy your turkey dinner without worrying about nodding off at the table!

Image: Bernd Dittrich

For years, it was widely believed that the Great Wall of China was the only human-made structure that could be seen from outer space with the naked eye. However, while we would all like it to be true, this claim is actually a myth.

It's a fact that the Great Wall is indeed very long, but it's also relatively narrow. That means that as we gain altitude, the Great Wall blends in with the surrounding natural landscape.

Image: Felix Mittermeier

A common myth claims that lightning never strikes the same place twice. This may be reassuring to many, but science—and nature itself—have proven otherwise. In fact, lightning can strike the same location multiple times, particularly if it’s a tall structure or an area containing water or metal.

The safest and most recommended thing to do during a lightning storm is to stay indoors.

Image: sanjiv nayak

Goldfish are said to have a memory span of only a few seconds. This myth probably originated due to the repetitive behaviors observed in these fish. However, science has debunked this notion.

Through various experiments and research, it has been demonstrated that goldfish can remember multiple things for several weeks. For example, they can recognize the faces of their keepers, remember feeding schedules, and even associate certain stimuli with rewards.

Image: CHUTTERSNAP

You're chilling, enjoying some chips, when suddenly—oops! One hits the floor. What do you do in that case? Do you follow the so-called "five-second rule"? According to this myth, if you drop food on the floor, it's safe to eat it if you pick it up within 5 seconds.

While we would like it to be right, science discourages this idea. The truth is, as soon as food hits the floor, any bacteria present can transfer to it instantly.

Image: Team Mfina

A classic cartoon scene: the frightened ostrich burying its head in the ground. You've probably seen it, too, right? Although this is a common belief, ostriches never actually bury their heads.

This myth likely stems from the way ostriches care for their nests. These birds make a small hole in the ground and place their nests there to keep them safe. From a distance, when we see the ostrich sticking its head in the ground, it is actually taking care of its chicks!

Image: Giovanni Calia

This is one of the most widespread myths in the world, originating from bullfighting traditions. The myth claims that the color red makes bulls extremely angry, driving them into a mad rage. However, this isn’t true.

In reality, bulls can’t even perceive red—or many other colors—the same way humans do. Experts believe bulls react to the movement of the bullfighter’s cape, not its color.

Image: Jeffrey Hamilton

What should you do if you get stung by a jellyfish? Many of us instantly think of the myth that urinating on the sting will relieve the pain. Unfortunately, not only is this a myth, but it can actually make things worse!

If you're unlucky enough to be stung by a jellyfish, the best course of action is to rinse the affected area with vinegar to neutralize the venom. Be sure to avoid touching the sting with your bare hands to prevent further irritation or spreading the venom.

Image: Chewy

As kids, many of us grew up hearing that dogs only see in black and white. Luckily for our pets, that's just a myth!

Dogs perceive colors in a way that's different from ours. While the human eye has three types of color receptors, dogs have only two. In other words, while we can see a broad spectrum of colors, dogs see a more limited range, similar to someone with red-green color blindness.

OBSCURE FASHION

10 Clothing Items from History That Have Faded into Fashion Oblivion

Image: Library of Congress

Fashion is likely the most dynamic realm of human culture, constantly evolving with time. While some trends endure, others soon fade into obscurity, leaving behind fascinating relics of bygone eras. In this article, we will delve into the annals of fashion history to unearth 10 intriguing clothing items that have largely vanished from modern wardrobes.

Image: Marieke Kuijjer, CC BY-SA 2.0

Crakowes, or poulaines, were long, exaggeratedly pointed shoes worn in the 15th century. These shoes were a symbol of status among the European elite, particularly in Poland and England. They featured long, pointed tips that often had to be tied to the wearer's legs to prevent tripping, an impractical feature that arguably showed that the wearer lived a life of leisure.

Image: Zdeněk Macháček

Zibellini, also known as flea furs, were small women's fashion accessories popular in the late Middle Ages. These strange clothing items consisted of the furs of small animals, such as minks or martens, and could be used hanging from the neck or just carried in the hands. Some zibellini were even fitted with jeweled adornments resembling the head of the animal.

Image: Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, Public Domain

Farthingales were stiff, hoop-like structures worn under skirts during the Renaissance period to create a wide, bell-shaped silhouette. Made of whalebone or steel, these undergarments were markers of status and wealth and thus were common among court women. They eventually fell out of favor as fashion shifted towards slimmer silhouettes.

Image: Викидим, CC BY-SA 4.0

Who said platform shoes are a recent invention? Chopines were a type of platform shoes worn by women in the 15th to 17th centuries, primarily in Venice and Spain. The elevated footwear, sometimes reaching heights of up to 20 inches, was designed to protect the wearer's feet from mud and filth on the streets. However, their obvious impracticality led to their eventual decline in popularity.

Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0

A smaller version of farthingales, crinolines were stiffened petticoats made of horsehair or steel hoops, worn in the mid-19th century to support wide skirts. These undergarments revolutionized fashion by allowing women to achieve voluminous skirts without the weight and discomfort of multiple layers of fabric. However, concerns about flammability hazards at a time when candle lighting and fireplaces were common contributed to their decline.

Image: jean-louis zimmermann, CC BY 2.0

Fichus were lightweight scarves or shawls worn around the neck and shoulders in the 19th century. These accessories were often elaborately embroidered or trimmed with lace and were considered essential for completing a lady's ensemble. While fichus added elegance to an outfit, they gradually fell out of favor as simpler and more practical clothing styles became popular.

Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0

A shortening of "spatterdashes," spats were fabric or leather coverings worn over shoes and ankles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally designed to protect footwear from dirt and damage, spats evolved into a fashionable accessory for men, particularly in formal attire. However, as shoes became more durable and styles shifted, spats gradually lost their popularity.

Image: Marie-Lan Nguyen (Jastrow), CC BY 2.5

Bicornes were a type of hat worn by men in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Characterized by their distinctive two-pointed shape, bicornes were mostly associated with military uniforms during this period, often worn by army and naval officers. However, with the decline of formal headwear, bicornes gradually disappeared from everyday attire.

Image: Johannes Verspronck, Public domain

Yes, ruffs are those things that made people look just like a dog that has been taken to the vet. These elaborate collars were worn around the neck in the Renaissance and early modern periods. Made of starched linen or lace, they were often a symbol of wealth and status. As with many items on this list, as fashion evolved toward simpler styles, ruffs gradually fell out of favor and were replaced by more understated—and practical—neckwear.

Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0

Snoods were a type of hairnet worn to confine and adorn women's hair during the medieval and Renaissance periods. These functional accessories were often embellished with jewels or embroidery, adding a touch of elegance to hairstyles. However, as hairstyles became more elaborate and varied in later periods, snoods gradually lost their usefulness and prominence.