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.

FURRY WORKERS

From War Elephants to Medical Dogs: 10 Weird Jobs We Gave To Animals

Image: Patrick Hendry

Throughout history, animals have played crucial roles that extend far beyond companionship or sustenance. From aiding in transportation to performing specialized tasks, their contributions have been diverse yet always essential.

Here, we explore 10 fascinating jobs that animals have undertaken across different time periods, proof of their remarkable intelligence and adaptability!

Image: Artem Beliaikin

In medieval Europe, a unique breed of dogs known as 'turnspit dogs' were employed in kitchens to rotate roasting meat spits. Bred for their stamina and size, these dogs were crucial for keeping the spit turning for hours at a time.

Sadly, their breed is now extinct, leaving us to reconstruct their appearance solely from historical documents.

Image: Ali Pli

Dating back to ancient times, pigeons were used as messengers due to their exceptional homing instincts. These birds excel at navigating over extremely long distances, thanks to their ability to perceive the Earth's magnetic field, just like an inner compass.

Particularly, due to their unique skills, these fluffy animals played crucial roles in wartime communication, delivering urgent messages across long distances when other means of communication were impractical or insecure.

Image: Richard Jacobs

What animal could instill more fear on the battlefield than an enraged elephant? To make matters worse, steel blades were often fastened to their tusks, and specialized archers would relentlessly pick off infantry units from their backs.

Elephants were formidable weapons of war in ancient civilizations such as India and Persia. Their immense size and strength made them highly effective in breaking enemy lines and demoralizing opposing armies.

Image: Mike Doherty

In the port town of Eden, New South Wales, Australia, killer whales (also known as orcas) formed an unlikely but effective partnership with human whalers during the heyday of the country's whaling industry. From the 1840s through to the 1930s, pods of orcas were observed working together with whalers in a unique and mutually beneficial hunting arrangement.

These intelligent marine mammals assisted whalers by herding humpback whales, effectively corralling them and making them easier targets for human hunters. In return for their cooperation, the whalers honored a (clearly unspoken) agreement where the orcas were allowed the first bite at the carcass once the hunt was successful.

Image: Martin Adams

How do you stop local populations of birds from colliding with arriving and departing planes at airports? By employing other birds! Trained birds of prey, such as hawks and falcons, are often used at airports to prevent bird strikes, which can lead to serious accidents and cost the industry millions of dollars annually.

These predatory birds naturally intimidate other species as they patrol the skies, discouraging other birds from entering the airspace around runways, thus minimizing the risk of collisions with aircraft.

Image: Bianca Ackermann

Beyond their crucial role in pollination, honey bees have found an unexpected application in the field of demining, particularly in war-torn regions where landmines pose significant threats. Due to their remarkable sense of smell, bees are trained to detect the scent of explosives buried underground.

In this innovative process, trained bees are incentivized with sugar water as a reward when they successfully locate the scent of explosives. This method allows demining teams to pinpoint potentially dangerous areas more safely and efficiently than traditional methods, minimizing risks to human deminers.

Image: TJ Fitzsimmons

In various military and research capacities, dolphins have been trained and utilized as "spies" due to their exceptional intelligence and underwater capabilities. These marine mammals have been employed by navies for tasks such as locating underwater mines, retrieving lost equipment, and even acting as sentries to protect naval bases.

Their natural echolocation abilities make them ideal for the task, and their agility and speed underwater allow them to maneuver swiftly in challenging environments where human divers would struggle.

Image: Justin Veenema

Trained dogs are now employed in medical settings to detect various diseases such as cancer and diabetes by sniffing out specific biomarkers present in patients' bodily fluids or breath. Their accuracy in early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and save lives.

These specially trained dogs undergo rigorous training programs where they learn to differentiate between scents associated with different medical conditions. Beyond their diagnostic role, they also provide loving comfort to those who are sick or grieving, and the therapeutic benefits of their presence in healthcare settings are proven.

Image: Nick Fewings

Geese have a long history of serving as effective guards, dating back to ancient civilizations where they were employed as vigilant "watchdogs" (avoid using this term near actual geese or they might get offended). Known for their loud honking and keen sense of alertness, geese were kept in temple courtyards, estates, and farms to alert their owners to the presence of intruders.

Today, geese continue to play a role in security, particularly at airfields and military installations. Their sharp eyesight and loud calls make them excellent sentinels capable of detecting and alarming personnel to potential threats.

Image: BAILEY MAHON

In environmentally conscious communities, goats are employed as eco-friendly lawnmowers. These voracious grazers efficiently clear overgrown vegetation without the noise and pollution associated with mechanical equipment. Goat herds provide a sustainable alternative for maintaining green spaces.

Beyond their practical utility, goats provide additional benefits such as natural fertilizer through their droppings, enriching soil health, and promoting plant growth.