Rate the Science Myths! (internet poll)

[Solaris]

Have fun!

http://www.livescience.com/bestimg/index.php?url=myths_gumballs_03.jpg&cat=myths

(There were a few that surprised me, like the one about brain cells growing in adulthood.)

[The Confessor]

Most of these were no surprise but the one about water spiraliling down a plug-hole in a certain direction depending on what hemisphere your in surprised me.

Apparently it's a falsehood. :eek: I could've sworn that was true. I've heard that "fact" so many times.

[Sanagi]

Some of these aren't even myths... I mean, does anyone believe chicken soup cures a cold? Of course not, it just makes you feel a little better.

Most of these were no surprise but the one about water spiraliling down a plug-hole in a certain direction depending on what hemisphere your in surprised me.

Apparently it's a falsehood. :eek: I could've sworn that was true. I've heard that "fact" so many times.
The coriolis effect works on oceans, not toilets.

[PatrickG]

I knew that the Great Wall of China wasn't the only manmade structure visible from space; there's also Sea Haven island, built in the largest studio ever constructed, now in its 30th great year.

[PatrickG]

Chickens can live without a head

True, and not just for a few minutes. A chicken can stagger around without its noggin because the brain stem, often left partially intact after a beheading, controls most of its reflexes. One robust fellow lived a full eighteen months. Likely he was a real birdbrain, however.

Can anybody fact check this?

[Solaris]

Can anybody fact check this?


I don't know about the 18 month thing (that made me cock an eyebrow)---but I CAN say that a chicken who's been completely decapitated CAN live, and even fly, for several minutes. My grandparents raised chickens commercially, and the few the catchers didn't get belonged to them. My dad would go help them catch and kill these quick birds. I remember being shocked, seeing the headless body of a chicken go flying through the air until it collided with a power pole.

They really DO go on moving for quite a while. If that 18 month one was that the head wasn't totally decapitated, as in the brain stem was still there, and enough of the beak for it to eat and drink... I'd buy it.

[Solaris]

Some of these aren't even myths... I mean, does anyone believe chicken soup cures a cold? Of course not, it just makes you feel a little better.


The coriolis effect works on oceans, not toilets.

Actually, the latest I'd heard was that it helps because drinking ANYthing HOT helps... didn't know there were other factors in the soup that help, too.

[Charles RB]

"It Takes Seven Years To Digest Gum."

Enough people believed that for it to BE a myth?!

[Solaris]

"It Takes Seven Years To Digest Gum."

Enough people believed that for it to BE a myth?!

Goes with the "there are starving kids in China" and "if you're in a car wreck you want to be wearing clean underwear" things. Mother-myths. Go figure. :D

[John Hays]

I don't know about the 18 month thing (that made me cock an eyebrow)---but I CAN say that a chicken who's been completely decapitated CAN live, and even fly, for several minutes. My grandparents raised chickens commercially, and the few the catchers didn't get belonged to them. My dad would go help them catch and kill these quick birds. I remember being shocked, seeing the headless body of a chicken go flying through the air until it collided with a power pole.

They really DO go on moving for quite a while. If that 18 month one was that the head wasn't totally decapitated, as in the brain stem was still there, and enough of the beak for it to eat and drink... I'd buy it.

I think "moving" being the important word there. I mean, it's just the body spasming postmortem, not real life isn't it?

[NickThompson]

Can anybody fact check this?
Yep, it's true. The chicken's name was Mike :)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_the_Headless_Chicken