Hidden quirks

Did you know only humans can blush? Learn 15 facts about the Human body

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With its labyrinthine systems and intricate mechanisms, the human body is full of surprises, hidden quirks, and mysteries. Take blushing, for example, did you know that only humans are capable of such a thing? And what about earwax? We all know our body produces it to prevent bacteria from getting in, but did you know it is a type of sweat?

Until now, you may have thought you had a good handle on your body, but you probably have a few things to learn about it. Read on to find out fifteen weird facts about the human body and its endless wonders.

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Have you ever wondered why you're a tad taller in the morning? That’s right, it’s not just your imagination playing tricks on you! Just as our weight is not the same throughout the day, neither is our height.

That is because, during the night, when we sleep horizontally, the soft cartilage between our bones gets a chance to decompress. The temporary relief from gravity leads to a slight increase in height by morning. But enjoy it while you can because it’s all downhill from here!

As the day progresses and we stand upright and carry out our daily activities, gravity compresses our spine back, causing our discs to flatten, and ultimately leading to a minimum loss of height.

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Our noses are not only adept at sniffing out scents but also possess an astonishing memory. To put it simply: our noses are just like a built-in scent database in the middle of our faces.

How does that work? The nose is armed with up to 400 scent receptors, which means that we can identify millions of different odors, from recently baked chocolate cookies to the stinky odor of sweaty gym socks!

Now, this is mind-blowing: the average human nose can distinguish and remember up to 50,000 different smells. On a less friendly note, it still hasn’t quite mastered the ability to forget about the unfortunate smells of life!

Image: Joyce Hankins

Did you know that the core of your spinal discs is primarily composed of water? That’s right, the little discs between our vertebrae are like sponges. The water makes them plumpy and healthy. This means that, as long as our body is properly hydrated, our discs will be able to absorb shock and protect our spine like a pro.

As a natural consequence, when we don’t drink enough water or keep hydrated, these discs start to feel the squeeze. With no water to plump them up, they lose their main function and our spine bones are prone to rub against each other. And that’s when the back pain comes rushing.

If there weren’t enough reasons already, here is just another one to keep up with your water intake.

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It’s a known fact that our left and right sides are not exactly the same. And this rule also applies to our internal organs. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that the left lung is approximately ten percent smaller than the right lung.

This has quite a simple and logical explanation to it: for starters, our heart is not perfectly placed in the center of our chest. Considering it is slightly tilted to the left, the left lung is smaller in order to give the heart some space, making it smaller than the right.

Moreover, because the liver sits high on the right side of our body, the right lung is wider but a tad shorter than the left.

Image: Jonathan Borba

Crying is the first thing a baby does. The minute they are welcomed into the world, they put their lungs to work. But have you ever noticed they don’t shed any tears? As you can imagine, this is not because they are holding back, it is because they physically can’t!

Tear ducts, the ones responsible for this, are still developing in newborns like many other body parts. It is not until they have reached full maturity that babies will be able to let the tears fall, regardless of how loud they can get.

This process can take up to a month, and in some cases, even longer. So, if you see a crying baby with dry eyes, don’t worry! They are just waiting for the tear ducts to catch up!

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The most elaborate cobweb has absolutely nothing on our circulatory system! The intricate network of blood vessels within the human body is truly astounding. Here’s a fact: if we were to lay all of our blood vessels, end to end, they would span a distance of 60,000 miles.

In case you can’t quite picture that, think of this, that’s enough to wrap around the Earth’s equator not once, not twice, but four times over!

Think of all those blood vessels weaving their way through our body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to every last corner of it. It leaves you thinking, right?

Image: Franco Antonio Giovanella

Believe it or not, growth is not just reserved for childhood. While overall growth ceases in adulthood, certain body parts continue to exhibit growth throughout life. The nose and ears, for instance, have a mind of their own when it comes to this and they tend to grow larger with age.

Now, here is the trick about this oddity: it is not actual growth, it is all work of the relentless force of gravity!

Our ears and noses are mostly made of cartilage, which is highly flexible. As we age, even though it may seem as if they never cease growing, it is just gravity causing that cartilage to sag and stretch out making them look bigger.

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Since earwax is highly considered disgusting by society, it is no surprise we know close to nothing about it. Contrary to popular belief, earwax is not simply a collection of dirt and debris and it is definitely not wax, that’s for sure!

Earwax is, in fact, a type of sweat. Our ear canal has two types of glands, the ceruminous and the sebaceous glands. The former is a sweat gland and it is the one responsible for producing this waxy substance. Therefore, the name.

Now, earwax, embarrassing as it may be, serves to lubricate and protect the delicate skin lining the ear canal, preventing dryness and irritation. So, rather than removing it, embrace it!

Image: Andrea Piacquadio

Just like fingerprints, each person's tongue boasts a unique and distinct pattern. So, there are no two fingerprints that are the same, and neither are two tongues.

These tongue prints, formed by a combination of papillae and taste buds, contribute to individuality and our identity. And get this, tongue prints are often used in forensic investigations for identification purposes.

And that is not all! As it turns out, color and shape are also unique features of each individual making the tongue a key tool for identification. And let’s not forget the rainbow of flavors we can taste thanks to it!

Image: Marek Studzinski

You may be quite skeptical about this, but human teeth are remarkable and stronger than you think!

Human teeth are incredibly durable, and their strength is comparable to that of shark teeth. Scientific studies show that when comparing the micro-structure of both, our teeth are no weaker than that of sharks. And it all comes down to one single element: enamel.

This discovery is attributed to the dense enamel covering the tooth's surface, which serves as a protective barrier against wear and tear.

Mind you, equally strong doesn’t mean equally sharp! You might not be able to slice through prey, but you will most certainly win the battle over a crispy apple.

Image: Pawel Czerwinski

We are all very much aware that blood has a vital role in maintaining our body at top performance. It is in charge of physiological balance and transporting essential nutrients and oxygen to tissues throughout the body.

One can also easily imagine that we have a fair amount of it circulating inside our bodies. But what you probably didn’t know is that it constitutes approximately eight percent of the average adult's body weight.

The number is not set in stone, depending on factors like age and size, this percentage can naturally vary. For example, blood takes up to ten percent of a baby’s body weight.

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You may not notice it, but you typically only breathe through one nostril at a time. You have nothing to fear, this is completely normal and it is due to a congestion pattern that switches every couple of hours. During this cycle, one nostril becomes congested making it a bit harder for air to flow through it while the other becomes decongested.

This alternating pattern of nasal airflow, known as the nasal cycle, ensures optimal filtration, humidification, and warming of inhaled air, promoting efficient respiratory function. Noses are not just a scent database, they are also our air conditioning system.

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Now that you read about it, you may be blinking on purpose, aren’t you? However, most of the time, blinking is an involuntary reflex of the cornea, that is, we don’t even notice we do it. Now, this is the quirky fact about it: blinking occurs around 20 times per minute, which actually equates to over ten million blinks per year!

This reflex is not just a habit, it is essential to keep our eyes healthy. Blinking serves to moisturize and protect the ocular surface, preventing dryness and debris accumulation.

Moreover, blinking is a defense mechanism. When things get too close to the eye, this instinctive action protects our eyes from potential damage.

Image: Andrea Piacquadio

Contrary to popular belief, the brain never clocks out, not even when we go to bed. It is quite the opposite, our brain is often more active during sleep than when we are awake. And this is key to our overall health and well-being!

During REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the stage usually associated with vivid dreams and high cognitive function, the brain becomes notably active. It initiates the neural activity that triggers key cognitive processes such as memory consolidation and emotional regulation.

Unlike us, our brain never goes to sleep and we should thank it for feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead.

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When we feel embarrassed or ashamed, our mind is not the only one at play, our bodies are quick to catch up with some significant transformations. We sweat, we move around in discomfort and we blush!

Blushing is the result of the dilation of the blood vessels and a physiological response to certain feelings. Now, what you probably didn’t know is that, despite its involuntary nature, humans are the only species known to do this.

This uniquely human response is triggered by emotions such as embarrassment, shame, or excitement, highlighting the intricate interplay between the mind and body. Remarkable, isn’t it?

10 weird historical events that no one has been able to explain (yet)

Image: Walters Art Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Who doesn't like a good mystery? And if the mystery isn’t a work of fiction but the result of a true story, even better! The great unsolved enigmas of history are absolutely fascinating. Some have been solved over time, but there are still many old secrets for which neither scientists nor historians have found an explanation—yet. Time-travel with us as we uncover 10 of the biggest historical mysteries that will probably never be cracked!

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Bermeja Island is mentioned in navigation texts written by European travelers and appears in cartography from the 16th to 19th centuries. Old maps place it off the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula; however, multiple searches over the years have yielded no concrete evidence of its existence.

So, what happened to Isla Bermeja? Was it a cartographic error? Did it sink due to a tidal wave? Because of its geopolitical significance, some have even suggested that it was blown up by the CIA! A 2009 study by the Autonomous University of Mexico concluded that Isla Bermeja does not exist today, nor were any traces found at its supposed coordinates. Yet, it will forever remain a mystery that will surely keep many entertained.

Image: Credit: Big Ear Radio Observatory and North American AstroPhysical Observatory (NAAPO)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In 1977, Ohio State University’s Big Ear radio telescope, used in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, detected a signal now known as the Wow! signal. While reviewing the data, astronomer Jerry R. Ehman noticed a sequence represented as "6EQUJ5." Baffled by the anomaly, he circled it and wrote "Wow!" in the margins.

The signal lasted 72 seconds and, unfortunately, has never been repeated. To this day, no one can fully explain the phenomenon, although some suggest it may have come from a man-made source. Still, the Wow! signal remains one of the strongest candidates for potential extraterrestrial contact ever detected.

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How is it possible for an entire village to vanish without a trace? Believe it or not, this is said to have happened nearly a century ago. According to lore, a small Inuit village in Canada was well known among fur trappers who visited regularly to trade. But in 1930, something very strange supposedly occurred.

A hunter named Joe Labelle claimed he visited the village one day and couldn’t find a single person. Reports said there were guns and food left behind, and even claims that the graves in the cemetery were empty. A thorough investigation, however, found no conclusive evidence of what happened to the villagers. Some witnesses from nearby towns even reported seeing a huge green light. Theories ranged from mass migration to extraterrestrial abductions. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has since dismissed the case as an urban legend. Some still believe the story to be true.

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We know thousands of shipwreck stories, but this one is quite unique. The MV Joyita, designed to be nearly unsinkable, was found adrift in the South Pacific, practically unharmed, but the crew had disappeared completely.

In October 1955, the American merchant vessel left the port of Apia in Samoa with 16 crew members and 9 passengers bound for the Tokelau Islands. After days without news, a rescue mission was launched. Five weeks later, the Joyita was spotted more than 600 miles west of its intended route. The vessel was partially submerged, and there was no sign of the passengers or crew. Four tons of cargo and all three life rafts were missing. They were never seen again.

Image: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Do you know where one of the best-preserved mummies was found? Hint: not in Egypt. Xin Zhui, the Marquise of Dai during the Western Han Dynasty in China, was discovered in her tomb at Mawangdui 2,000 years after her death, along with hundreds of valuable documents and artifacts.

What makes this mummy so extraordinary is how well-preserved her body is. Her organs and veins remain intact, and she still has hair and even eyelashes. Scientists analyzed the fluid present in the coffin and discovered it was acidic and contained salt and magnesium. They believe this mysterious liquid may have been responsible for preserving Xin Zhui so well. What they don’t know is whether it was intentionally poured into the coffin or came from the body itself.

Image: Yoichi Okamoto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The United States has its fair share of presidents who died while in office, but none of our 45 presidents have ever disappeared without a trace. Did you know that this actually happened in The Land Down Under?

Harold Edward Holt was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1966 until his presumed death in 1967. He loved the ocean and spearfishing. During a weekend trip with friends, Holt visited the remote Cheviot Beach to take a swim. Rough sea conditions that day caused him to be swept away by the waves, and he never reappeared. Despite an intensive search, his body was never found, which has given rise to numerous conspiracy theories. Ironically, Australians built the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre in Melbourne in his honor.

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Many famous criminals have managed to remain unidentified for decades, but the D.B. Cooper case is something else entirely. In 1971, Cooper boarded a flight from Portland to Seattle. Shortly after takeoff, he showed a flight attendant a device he claimed was a bomb and demanded four parachutes and $200,000 in cash.

The crew landed to meet Cooper’s demands in exchange for the passengers and then took off again. As the plane flew over southwestern Washington, Cooper jumped into the cold, rainy night carrying his haul. His whereabouts and true identity were never discovered, although it is likely he didn’t survive the jump. In 1980, some of the ransom money was found near the Columbia River. Although the FBI officially closed the case in 2016, amateur sleuths continue to try to crack it.

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Can you imagine an epidemic where the main symptom is uncontrollable dancing? Sounds like science fiction, doesn’t it? Yet this really happened during the Middle Ages. In 1518, a dancing plague struck Strasbourg, Alsace, in what is now France. This strange condition affected up to 400 people, making them dance frantically for weeks. It is said that some even died of heart attacks, exhaustion, or strokes.

Doctors and authorities tried all kinds of measures to stop the spread. They even banned music for a while! To this day, scientists are not certain what caused this bizarre condition: it may have been food poisoning from toxins in the ergot fungus, or perhaps a case of stress-induced mass hysteria.

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The Voynich manuscript is a codex written roughly 500 years ago in an unknown language and writing system by an anonymous author. Known as Voynichese, the manuscript was named after Wilfrid Voynich, a Polish bibliophile and antiquarian who purchased it in 1912.

Radiocarbon testing has shown that it dates to the early 15th century. Many cryptographers and codebreakers have attempted to decipher its roughly 240 pages without success. The manuscript contains diagrams and illustrations of unknown plants and astrological symbols. Some believe it may be a made-up language, a secret code, a work of fiction, or even a hoax. If you think you can solve this mystery, the Voynich manuscript is available for viewing at Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Image: Bernhard

Similar to the Voynich manuscript, the Phaistos Disc is a fired clay disc believed to have been created during the Bronze Age. It was discovered by an Italian archaeologist in the basement of a palace in Crete, Greece, in 1908.

What makes this disc fascinating is that it contains a mysterious message. Stamped into the clay is a set of signs, forming a text that many scientists have tried to decipher—without success. It is considered an early attempt at printing, a technological innovation that would not become widespread for several centuries. While enthusiasts still hope the enigma can be solved, this is unlikely unless other documents are discovered to provide context.