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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

Birds of a feather

What is the "swan song"? Fly high with these 10 bird-themed idioms

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Whether you love getting outside to watch birds in their natural habitat or prefer staying indoors with a good book, this article has something for everyone. In everyday conversations, we often use many phrases that feature our feathered friends as the main characters. From the famous "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" to some lesser-known expressions, today we're exploring the meanings and origins of 10 fun bird-related idioms that also teach us valuable lessons.

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It is believed that this expression gained fame thanks to falconry, a popular sport during medieval times. In this practice, a hunting bird –usually a falcon– was trained to catch other birds or small animals. The falcon would often perch on the trainer's hand, which inspired the well-known idiom. While catching prey was important, the hawk had far greater value than the other birds in flight, making it essential to take good care of it.

Thus, this phrase highlights the importance of appreciating what you already have over uncertain possibilities and the wisdom of playing it safe rather than risking everything.

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It seems like every mom has a sneaky bird friend watching the kids and reporting every bit of mischief and little white lie, doesn't it? Or at least that's what we were led to believe as children (well, if you had a pet parrot, this might actually be true).

The idiom "a little bird told me" is used as a playful way to share information from a source that can't be revealed. And it has an interesting possible origin. It is believed that this expression originated from ancient mythologies, where birds were thought to announce events, serving as messengers of the gods.

Don't let your guard down; you never know when a little bird might be watching!

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Hunting birds with stones must be one of the oldest forms of hunting, and it's actually the origin of a well-known phrase. Of course, hitting just one bird is no easy task, so imagine the feat of hitting two with one throw; that would demand either extraordinary skills or a rare stroke of luck. Thus, "Kill two birds with one stone" is used to refer to efficiency: Solving two problems or completing two goals with a single action when it could have required much more effort.

This phrase first appeared in written English in the 17th century. Fortunately, we have gentler versions nowadays, such as "Feed two birds with one scone." Sweet, isn't it?

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Aurora Musis Amica is a Latin proverb that means "Dawn is the friend of the muses." As we can see, the idea of getting up early for its benefits has been valued since ancient times.

Inspired by the natural behavior of birds that wake at dawn to find the best and most food, the popular English idiom, "The early bird catches the worm" conveys the same idea: If you arrive first, you'll probably get the best. In fact, many languages have similar sayings. For instance, in Spanish, there's a popular phrase that goes, Al que madruga, Dios lo ayuda, which translates to "God helps the early riser."

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Here is one undeniable fact: Birds of a feather flock together. Science says so, not just us.

William Turner, an English naturalist and botanist, wrote in his 1545 book The Rescuing of the Romish Fox: "Birds of on kynde and color, they flocke and flye allwayes together." Inspired by this natural behavior of birds and other animals, the famous idiom was born to describe how we often come together and form groups with others who share similar interests, preferences, and characteristics.

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Whenever someone completes an arduous task, leaves an unpleasant situation, or –who knows– even goes through a divorce, you might hear the phrase "free as a bird."

This phrase draws from how we perceive a bird's flight: unrestrained, independent, and fulfilling. It's hard to find a better way to describe freedom, right?

The Beatles expressed this sense of release perfectly in their song titled exactly as this idiom. "Free as a Bird" was composed and recorded by John Lennon 3 years after the band's breakup, but it wasn't released at the time. Almost two decades later, in 1995, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr released a studio version that included Lennon's demo.

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It's well known that hawks stand out for their incredible skills and features. Among these, their vision and accuracy are particularly impressive. The hawk's eye is infallible: It examines the situation with precision and always succeeds when hunting its prey.

For this reason, hawks' vision is often used in figures of speech to represent careful and detailed observation. In fact, the "Hawk-Eye" is a system used in many sports –such as tennis– to review and analyze moves that may cause confusion. So, when we "watch someone like a hawk," it means we're paying close attention, observing them carefully, and noticing even the smallest details. Have you ever felt like you were being watched this closely?

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Realizing that we've missed a long-awaited opportunity can be quite frustrating, but maybe we can add a little humor to the situation with a clever bird-inspired idiom.

When someone says "The bird has flown," they're telling you that what you were looking for is gone; In other words, it's too late. In this case, the bird represents the chance or desired thing that has slipped away.

This idiom is clear: Once a bird has escaped, it's unlikely to return to its cage. You've probably heard "That ship has sailed," a similar popular expression that symbolizes the same idea.

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Are you one of those who feel happy with just a cup of coffee and a cookie, or do you prefer a hearty meal? We're definitely in the second group!

The expression "eat like a bird" doesn't refer to large predators like hawks or eagles that consume big prey but rather to small birds, such as sparrows. Why? Because to "eat like a bird" means to eat very little or have a small appetite.

While the origin of this idiom is not well documented, it has been used in English since at least the 19th century. After all, who could feel full after eating just a handful of seeds?

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If you are an artist or an art fan, you've probably come across this idiom more than once.

"Swan song" was originally used in artistic contexts to refer to the final and most dedicated work of a writer, composer, or painter. Over time, the expression expanded to other contexts, referring to the final important action of someone before retiring from their field. For example, it might describe a lawyer's last case or a professor's final lecture.

But where does this idiom come from? If you've ever been near a swan, you'll know that they are usually silent. However, in medieval times, it was believed that swans sang a beautiful song just before they died as a grand finale. Poetic, right?