Popular Myths That Have Been Proven to be False Part 2
#1
Contrary to countless sci-fi movie endings, there is no fire in outer space. Fire needs oxygen to exist, and there is no oxygen in space. Below is a scene from Star Trek III.
#2
Don't hesitate to wake sleepwalkers. They'll be fine, and you might even save them from injury by tripping over something while sleepwalking.
#3
Ostriches do not stick their heads in the sand when threatened. Actually they don't bury their heads at all. When threatened, ostriches flop on the ground and play dead.
#4
Blondes and redheads are not "going extinct." Genes do not go extinct. Recessive genes, like the gene for red or blonde hair color, can be carried from generation to generation without emerging as a hair color.
#5
Car tires do not protect you from getting electrocuted if your car is struck by lightning. It's actually your car's metal frame that conducts the electricity straight to the ground.
#6
Unless you're one of the 1% of Americans who suffer from Celiac disease, gluten probably won't have a negative effect on you. So go ahead and eat that bagel, because studies show that you're going to get bloating and gas regardless of your gluten-free diet.
#7
When our Sun reaches the end of its life in about four billion years, it will not explode, contrary to popular belief. It will slowly expand, eventually swallowing Earth in the process.
#8
There's a myth that sunflower heads track the Sun as it moves across the sky throughout the day. Although sunflower heads are fixed, their buds do indeed track the sun before they bloom, and the resulting direction the heads face is a result of this behavior.
#9
Daddy longlegs spiders (Pholcus phalangioides) can, in fact, pierce human skin with their small mouths. But don't worry, although they are the most venomous spider in the world, the small amount of venom they carry will cause only a mild burning sensation for a few seconds and nothing more.
#10
Macintosh computers are not immune to viruses. You can find a list of "The Ten Most Dangerous Mac Viruses" on securitywatch.pcmag.com. About 80% of the computer industry is ruled by Windows, so hackers are merely attacking the majority.
#11
Though it is referred to as a ‘banana tree', the stem doesn't contain true woody tissue. In reality it's actually a herbaceous plant, or ‘herb'.
#12
As much as your English teacher might not like it, ‘irregardless' is a word. It's considered non-standard and most people would prefer to use different forms of the word, but it is in fact a legitimate word.
#13
Dogs don't sweat through their tongues, they actually have very few sweat glands. When dogs get worked up they tend to pant, but that is not the same thing as sweating.
#14
It's common knowledge that Chameleons change colors but the reason for it is slightly more elusive. While most believe it is so that they can blend in with their surroundings, the primary reasons are to regulate their temperature or communicate with other chameleons.
#15
So a ducks quack won't echo? Go to a grocery store, buy some bread, find a lake, bait some ducks, catch one, release it under a bridge. If you do this correctly you will see why this myth is false.
#16
You cannot develop arthritis from cracking your knuckles, so get to crackin'.
#17
Vikings didn't sport horns on their helmet. While helmets have been discovered with horns and wings, they were designated for priests to wear during ceremonies.
