From fact to fiction

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

GOOD AND BACK LUCK OMENS

Don’t Mess With Your Luck: 10 Common Superstitions Explained!

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We can agree that logic and science are universally praised, without them, the modern world wouldn’t be as it is, right? Yet, superstitions can easily get into our minds and make us believe that doing certain things can instantly turn the tables and curse us forever.

Who hasn’t felt the eerie energy of a Friday 13th or changed paths to avoid walking under a ladder?

In this article, we’ll go through ten of the most common superstitions and where they come from, are you brave enough to test your luck?

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This superstition is so common around the world, that there is even a word to describe the phobia to it: friggatriskaidekaphobics. However common it may be, the superstition itself is rather new, dating back to the 19th century. Fridays have long been considered unlucky by the Christian tradition since Jesus died on a Friday. The number 13 isn’t always a favorite either so, the two of them combined raise all kinds of suspicions. Are you afraid of them?

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Umbrellas can be a useful tool to protect oneself from the rain a other events, but they should always be closed once you step inside your home. If you do otherwise, you may be stuck with bad luck. Why? Well, there are many legends surrounding this superstition. For example, one British tale says that a prince welcomed a visiting king who stepped inside under an umbrella and died a few months later.

This sounds a bit far-fetched and we might as well believe that the superstition was only a means to prevent people from opening an umbrella inside and poking someone in the eye!

Image: Dayne Topkin

Superstitions are not always around bad omens, some superstitions are meant to bring good luck. Crossing your fingers as you hope for something to happen is the most classic example.

And, if you pay close attention to your fingers, you might guess where it comes from. That’s right, Christians! The crossed fingers resemble a cross and that is how this good luck omen began in the first place! The gesture is not exclusively linked to Christianity today, but it’s rather interesting, isn’t it?

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This one is not meant to attract good luck but to protect your luck from going South. It is so popular and so fixated in some communities that only saying it is enough to make it work.

Where does it come from? Well, there is no certainty about its origins. Although, many seem to believe it is connected to the belief that spirits reside in trees. So, rather than providing anything for you, the action’s purpose is to avoid annoying any spirits that can turn against you!

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Again, only the word "wishbone" is proof enough that some superstitions are almost inherent in our culture. After all, haven’t we all made a wish on a wishbone during Thanksgiving?

That's the tradition, and it dates back a long way! The legend says that Romans, who used to fight over wishbones and often broke them, considered it good luck when they got the larger part, as it was believed to make a wish come true.

Image: Михаил Секацкий

The origins behind this superstition might make you think differently of mirrors. Legend has it that mirrors hold the souls of every person who has ever been reflected in them. This belief led people to think that, if a mirror breaks, all those souls contained would break free and wander around, hence anyone responsible for breaking a mirror would be cursed with seven years of bad luck!

Why seven? There is no definitive reason for that, but seven, much like number thirteen, has always been considered eerie and a bad luck omen.

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When it comes to unlucky numbers, we should also mention number three. This number is so unlucky that most people believe that if two things go wrong, there is a third one coming their way.

This is a superstition, but there is some science behind it. When we know bad things are happening to us, our brains tend to seek out evidence that reinforces this belief. So, part superstition, part neuroscience, this is one to look out for!

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Good luck omens take all kinds of forms, after all, we need all the protection we can get, even if it makes no sense: Like keeping a rabbit’s foot in your pocket.

Now, amulets like this one are as old as time, and this one in particular is believed to come from African American folk magic, although it was a very common talisman during the early twentieth century. We don’t know if it works, maybe it’s worth the try, isn’t it?

Image: Nathan Riley

If these poor animals hadn’t had enough, Poe wrote a short story that didn’t help their case! For the most part, cats are some of the most beloved pets, they keep you company and warm. We’ve got Egypt to thank for our obsession with cats.

But black cats are a bit different. Why is that? They are closely associated with witches; it was believed they were not so much animals as people who transformed into them. Poor witches, maybe they just wanted some company too!

Image: Adam Nir

To finish our article on superstitions, we’ll mention one that is believed to bring good luck: If you find a penny on the floor, pick it up and keep it! Dirty as a penny can be, especially if you find it in the street, they are considered to be a good luck omen. More specifically, finding a penny is believed to attract more money.

There is even a rhyme that goes: "See a pin and pick it up, all the day you'll have good luck; see a pin and let it lie, bad luck you'll have all the day." So if you see a penny… It can’t harm, can’t it?