October 16th 2024.
As humans, we like to believe that we are pretty clever. After all, we have been around for millions of years, made countless discoveries and breakthroughs, and are often considered to be the smartest species of all. Throughout our lives, we absorb a lot of information from our elders, teachers, and nowadays, the internet. And most of the time, we just assume that what we know is true, especially if it comes from a trusted source. But the truth is, nobody can be right all the time, and sometimes, what we think is right is actually wrong. So, in the spirit of learning new things, let's take a look at some commonly believed facts that are actually false, and uncover the truth behind them.
Firstly, let's start with a fact that might surprise you. St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, was not actually Irish. Despite the fact that St. Patrick's Day is the biggest celebration in the Irish calendar, and he is also known as the "Apostle of Ireland," he was actually born in Kilpatrick, Scotland. He was captured at the young age of 14 during a raid of his hometown and taken to Ireland to work as a slave, herding sheep. After six years, he managed to escape and reunite with his family. But it wasn't long until he returned to Ireland, where he spread Christianity.
Next, let's debunk a common myth that many parents believe - that sugar makes children hyperactive. But the truth is, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. This myth originated from a single study from the 1970s, where a doctor removed sugar from one child's diet, and their behavior improved. However, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reported that parents are more likely to say their kids have "too much" energy when they think they have consumed sugar. In fact, a study showed that even when parents were unknowingly given sugar-free drinks to give to their children, they still rated their child as "hyperactive." So, parents, you can rest easy knowing that sugar is not the culprit behind your child's energy levels.
Have you ever been told that you lose most of your body heat through your head? Well, the truth is, this is just a myth. While it may seem logical, as the head has a lot of blood vessels and a lack of fat between the scalp and skull, it is not entirely accurate. In reality, only about 10% of the body's total surface area is made up of the head. So, if the head were to lose 75% of the body's heat, it would have to lose about 40 times as much heat per square inch as any other part of the body. Instead, most of our body heat is lost through our skin, via conduction, convection, radiation, and sweat evaporation.
Moving on to another animal-related myth - chameleons do not change color to blend in with their surroundings. This is a common misconception, but the truth is, they can only change the color of their skin depending on their temperature or mood. However, there is another animal that can change its color to match its background - the cuttlefish. These creatures have millions of chromatophores in their skin that contain pigment granules, allowing them to change color, pattern, and brightness by expanding or contracting these cells. They can even change the shape of their skin, from flat blades to nodes or spikes.
Do you remember learning in school that humans only have five senses - vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste? Well, it turns out that this is not entirely accurate. While these are the "main" senses, neuroscientists have suggested that we have between 22 and 33 different senses. Some lesser-known senses include equilibrioception (a sense of balance), proprioception (a sense of body position and movement), and thermoception (a sense of temperature). So, the next time someone asks you how many senses humans have, you can impress them with your knowledge.
Here's a fact that might surprise you - the Great Wall of China is not visible from space. While you may have heard that it is the only man-made structure visible from the moon, this is not entirely true. Technically, it can be seen from the International Space Station using high-powered lenses, but not with the naked eye. The wall is too narrow to be visible from space, and the distance and pollution can also limit its visibility.
Finally, let's talk about hair. It is commonly believed that chimps have more hair than humans, but the truth is, we have similar hair densities. It's just that our hair is less visible. On average, humans have around five million hair follicles, which is about the same as chimps and other primates. So, the next time you look at a chimp and think you're not as hairy, think again.
Overall, it's important to remember that not everything we think we know is true. It's always good to question and learn new things, even if it means admitting that some of our beliefs were wrong. So, keep an open mind and never stop learning. Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch by emailing us.
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[Generative AI is experimental.]
