Glitches in science

Forget conspiracy theories—these 10 weird facts are real and unexplained

Image: Artur Voznenko

Despite centuries of scientific progress, the universe can still throw us some curveballs that seem to defy all logic and understanding. From bizarre sounds deep in the ocean to strange behavior of stellar objects, these unexplained phenomena continue to stump researchers. Here's a breakdown of 10 strange, real-world mysteries that seem like glitches in reality—and so far remain unsolved.

Image: NASA Hubble Space Telescope

Discovered in 2017, ‘Oumuamua had an unusual shape and trajectory. As it exited the Sun’s influence, it accelerated slightly—an unexpected behavior that left many scientists puzzled.

Some proposed it was an alien probe or, more likely, that outgassing caused the motion, but no definitive explanation fits all the observed data. For now, the mystery of ʻOumuamua remains unsolved.

Image: Hunter So

Ball lightning has been reported for centuries, often lasting longer than normal lightning and moving erratically indoors or out. Witnesses describe orbs ranging from pea-sized to several feet in diameter.

Even now, there is rare photographic evidence, and the phenomenon has defied controlled reproduction. A 2014 study in China captured spectral data, but scientists still can't agree on how or why it forms.

Image: Raychel Sanner

The 72-second radio burst, detected by Ohio State’s Big Ear radio telescope in 1977, was so unusual that astronomer Jerry Ehman circled it and wrote "Wow!" in the margin.

No known natural or terrestrial source matched its signature. Despite repeated searches in the same spot, the signal has never been heard again.

Image: Bradley Singleton

Captured in 1997 by underwater sensors thousands of kilometers apart, the "Bloop" was an ultra-low-frequency sound louder than any known sea creature. It matched no whale or geological activity profile.

NOAA later suggested icequakes as a possible source, but the exact characteristics didn’t match typical ice calving.

Image: Michael Krahn

Observed in areas like Japan and Italy, these luminous events precede seismic activity by seconds or minutes. They range from white-blue glows to flame-like columns.

No single mechanism explains them. Theories involve piezoelectric effects in rocks, but reproducible lab evidence is sparse and inconsistent.

Image: Denise Jans

Strangely, some organ recipients report new preferences and even memories post-surgery. These aren’t rare coincidences—dozens of documented cases involve patients suddenly acquiring traits of their donors.

A woman who received a heart from a biker craved beer and fast food, which she never had before. A form of cellular memory or nervous system signaling beyond current knowledge has been proposed as a possible explanation, but too little is still known about the phenomenon.

Image: aly

Apparently, hot water can sometimes freeze faster than cold water. Observed since Aristotle and confirmed in many experiments, this phenomenon—known as the Mpemba effect—defies our current understanding of thermodynamics.

While evaporation and convection may play a role, they don’t explain all scenarios. No consistent model accurately predicts when the effect will occur, despite decades of research.

Image: Ryan Hutton

An invisible force is accelerating the universe’s expansion—and we still barely understand it. First inferred from supernova data in 1998, dark energy appears to make up about 68% of the universe’s mass-energy content.

Yet no direct measurement or particle-based theory explains its nature. It’s known only through its large-scale gravitational effects.

Image: NASA Hubble Space Telescope

Also known as KIC 8462852, Tabby’s Star is a binary star system in the constellation Cygnus, approximately 1,470 light-years from Earth. The star dims erratically—yet in ways that don’t match common explanations like planetary transits.

Its strange behavior has led some astronomers to speculate about exotic causes, including an alien megastructure. However, current data largely rules out that possibility.

Image: Dylan Shaw

Weird as it sounds, a region in East Antarctica has less gravity than expected. While gravity varies slightly across the Earth, the cause of this particular anomaly remains unknown.

Known as the Wilkes Land Mass Anomaly, it covers an area approximately 200 miles wide and causes a noticeable local drop in gravity. First detected via satellite data, it may be the remnant of a massive asteroid impact—or maybe even something deeper.

What science says

It was false after all: 10 health myths that sound true—but aren't

Image: Alicja Gancarz

Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Does cold weather make you sick? Can lemon detox your body? Is reading in low light really harmful? Let's uncover the truth behind 10 common health myths!

Image: Element5 Digital

Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth, though it does help remove split ends that can make your hair look dry or unhealthy.

Image: Thom Holmes

This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread. That's why colds tend to be more common in winter!

Image: Michelen Studios

The idea that eating before bed automatically leads to weight gain is a myth. In reality, it has more to do with what you eat and how much, rather than the time of day. Often, when we eat very late at night, we're tired and more likely to reach for quick, high-calorie, heavy foods. This can disrupt sleep and lead to consuming more calories than we burn, both of which may affect weight. If it's close to bedtime, it's better to have something light and healthy in a moderate portion than to skip a meal altogether.

Image: Bud Helisson

Does wearing glasses weaken your vision? Myth! If an eye doctor prescribes glasses, wearing them as directed helps correct your vision; it won't make it worse. Additionally, the right glasses can help prevent or reduce headaches caused by reading or spending long hours in front of a screen.

Image: Amir Balam

This myth is closely related to the previous one. If you love reading and sometimes have to do it in low light because of the situation, don't worry. According to experts, reading in low light doesn't cause permanent or irreversible eye damage. However, it's not recommended because it can make your eyes feel tired or strained, leading to discomfort or headaches.

Image: engin akyurt

We're all different, and so are our bodies. The idea that everyone should drink exactly eight glasses of water a day is more of a general guideline than a rule. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is extremely important, but how much water you need depends on factors like your weight, age, climate, and overall health. We should prioritize staying consistently hydrated instead of obsessing over the number of glasses we drink.

Image: Tirza van Dijk

Some people say drinking lemon water helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body. While adding a slice of lemon to your water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated, it doesn't have any special "detoxifying" powers. The vitamin C in citrus fruits is beneficial, but the body has its own natural detox system. The liver and kidneys are the main organs that filter waste and eliminate toxins.

Image: Aneta Voborilova

Not all fats are bad! Just like other food groups, your body needs fats to function properly. The important thing is knowing the difference between healthy fats and those that can be harmful. Foods like avocados, seeds, olive oil, fish, and nuts are rich in healthy fats. On the other hand, the fats found in processed or fried foods are the ones that can have a negative impact on your body.

Image: Elevate

Liver diseases can be serious. While heavy and frequent consumption of alcohol and fats is a major contributor, it's not the only cause. Liver problems can also result from many other factors. These include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, high blood pressure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Image: Brooke Lark

There's some truth to it: breakfast is important because it replenishes our glucose and energy levels and supports proper metabolism. However, the idea that it's the most important meal of the day might be an exaggeration. Everyone's body has different needs, and all meals are important, so we shouldn't skip any of them!