This is the Business Insider’s “comprehensive list” of science facts that are not facts at all. These myths have been debunked. From the fact that cracking your knuckles will lead to arthritis, to swallowing gum and it taking seven years to digest, here is what you need to know.
1. Hair and fingernail growth continue after death
No, your skin shrinks after death and thus gives the illusion that both have grown.
2. Cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis
No, but it always seems to annoy somebody in the office. The causes of osteoarthritis are age, injury, obesity and genetics.
3. Lightning can’t strike the same place twice
It sure can, the Empire State Building for example gets struck up to 100 times annually.
4. Goldfish have terrible memories
Goldfish have surprisingly good memories. They are capable of remembering things for months.
5. Cats and dogs only see in shades of grey
Cats and dogs do not see in grey, they can see in blue and green.
6. Microwave radiation causes cancer
The microwave is only there to heat up and defrost your food. Only a few types of radiation cause cancer.
7. Shaving your hair makes it thicker
Repeated shaving simply causes the hair to become more coarse as the ends of the hair are continuously blunt.
8. Everyone who has Tourette’s syndrome swears like a sailor
A very small percentage in fact have the swearing tic – coprolalia. Tourette’s can include involuntary movements and sound tics.
9. Gum takes seven years to digest
If you swallow gum, it will not be digested at all. It simply passes through the body.
10. Sharks don’t get cancer
This was a myth started by I. William Lane in an attempt to sell shark cartilage as a form of treatment for those with cancer.
To read more “science facts” that are plain hooey, click here.
[Source: Business Insider]
