Throughout life we find ourselves abiding by some logic or the other. Be it by virtue of rumor or tradition, it is always don’t do this or else, or do this and see what happens. Etc etc. Some, of course, are based on superstitions while others may be the result of articles you see on the internet that contain a lot of hogwash as much as they do fact. While scientists try their best downplaying common myths, the fact that they grow on us is because of the media and movies that play to their popularity. Let’s take a look at 10 Myths that shouldn’t be believed.
HIV or Human Immunodeficiency syndrome is very real. It would be foolish to denounce it as a myth. Consider this!! HIV was discovered by two scientists who won the Nobel Prize for the discovery in 1984. It was Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier who discovered how retroviruses sourced from infected lymph nodes actually killed white blood cells (lymphocytes) of both infected and healthy donors. The research conducted at Pasteur Institute in Paris was one of the biggest discoveries of the century and AIDS became a reality.
With the discovery also came research to develop new cures that allow HIV infected people to live normal life spans as uninfected people. Bottom line! HIV isn't a myth in spite of what conspiracy theorists may tell you.
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Have you seen the movie “Lucy”?? Well, the storyline implied that humans only use 10% of their brains and if they unlock the remainder then they could even perform miracles. Do we really use only 10% of our brain? The fact is that the human brain works according to the activity performed. That means every activity like reading corresponds to a particular part of our brain. Simple activities like clenching or unclenching your fist require more than a tenth of your brain, In fact, when you think you are at rest doing nothing, your brain is in active mode.
You can perform two or three complex activities together like driving or playing a guitar simultaneously. You’ll be surprised to know that this 10% myth isn't just believed by laypersons, there are various experts who also feel as such.
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Perhaps the most controversial myth of today and the subject of huge demonstrations in countries worldwide. Called transgenic plants meaning genetically modified plants, these are necessary for research to develop healthier crops that benefit humans in the long run. All GMO plants also undergo strict testing methods for safety to observe its impact on human consumption and the environment. Only the best results meaning the healthiest plants are chosen out of possibly a thousand specimens.
When creating such plants, there is several techniques and extensive research involved to ensure there is nothing harmful for human health.
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Well! You don’t need me to tell you that how some world leaders have this weird opinion that global warming is just a hoax. The harsh fact is that the planet is warming and the melting of the Polar icecaps is a reality. The average temperature of the planet has increased by 0.86 degrees centigrade since 1905 and there is no decrease of greenhouse emissions yet.
The biggest example of climate change is right there in the American backyard where an entire town, Isle de Jean Charles is slowly shrinking and sinking into the Gulf of Mexico. If there is no decrease in Greenhouse emissions, the earth’s temperature could easily increase by 2 degrees by 2040.
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What bunk!! There is an actual myth that says in heavy rain you should run because obviously that will get you out of the rain faster but it also says you will get less wet. Experimental studies to this effect have proved this to be a huge myth and it made no difference if you walk or run where being exposed to water was concerned. The experiment was conducted in the absence of wind and found walking is preferable to running. The easiest and smartest thing to do is use an umbrella.
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Ethnicity isn't a concept concerning genes or DNA, it is a cultural, traditional and social element influenced by traditions and beliefs of particular societies and communities. If you think of it from a broader perspective, there is just one race, the human race!! The results and proof of a concept of different races isnt fuelled by science but human history. The world as we know it today has been divided into different communities separated by borders for human objectives and selfish goals. Man is actually one.
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Try telling this to people who believe in astrology and they will argue with you tooth and nail. Throughout the ages, it has been widely believed that the full moon affects certain individuals. It has the power to draw out moody behavior in certain people. The proposed science behind this is just as the moon affects tides, so can it affect water in the brain. In fact, some communities believe that crime and accidents increase during the full moon. There is nothing to worry about in event of a full moon unless of course, you happen to be a werewolf.
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Inspiron spite at Pink Floyd or the Transformer movie tells you, there is no dark side of the moon. That is just a perspective of how the moon is perceived where the part of the moon that reflects light is visible to us and obviously the remaining will be dark. From Earth, we can just view 59% of the lunar surface where the remaining 41% is hidden from view. The moon spins slowly contrary to what most think that it is standing still.
A full moon is the sun illuminating the side of the moon we can see and if there is a part missing it means sunlight is falling on the part not visible from earth. It is usually referred to as the far side of the moon but definitely not in the context as the myth implies.
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Considered an old wives tale and no it cannot make children hyperactive. No scientific evidence points to the fact that sugar has such an impact on a child. The excitement observed in children at a party is the result of the natural excitement of getting a treat. Rather than the sugar it could be caffeine from beverages that could be to blame. However, this doesn’t mean it is healthy to allow children to consume too much sugar simply because it is the biggest culprit causing weight gain, insulin resistance and also increased risk of cancer.
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This is also a common idiom to insinuate that something bad ever happens twice but how wrong that is. Lightning can strike in the same place twice. Tall objects like skyscrapers and trees are prime targets for lightning strikes. A tall tree in a forest can get struck more than once during a storm. Lightning strikes the Empire State Building 100 times a year.
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