“The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it,” once quipped astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. And boy, does science have some mind-bending truths in store for us!
Here are 30 weird, wild, and absolutely true scientific facts that will challenge your perception of reality. You’ll never look at things around you the same way again.
1. Oxygen Comes from the Sea
Half of the world’s oxygen is produced by microscopic organisms in the ocean called phytoplankton. These tiny marine plants are the unsung heroes of our atmosphere.
2. Your Stomach is a Razor Blade Destroyer
The human stomach’s hydrochloric acid is so potent it can dissolve razor blades. (ref) With a pH level between 1.5 and 3.5, it’s nearly as corrosive as battery acid. (Note: Don’t ingest anything other than food and approved medications. this is an example of only what the stomach acid could do)
3. Animals Have an Internal Compass
Some animals, including sea turtles and salmon, can sense the Earth’s magnetic field and use it for navigation. This built-in GPS system helps them make incredible long-distance journeys.
4. Trees Outnumber Stars
There are more trees on Earth than stars in the Milky Way galaxy. Our planet boasts roughly 3 trillion trees, while the Milky Way contains an estimated 100-400 billion stars. (ref)
5. The Universe Has a Color
The average color of the universe is a beige shade scientists have dubbed “cosmic latte.” This cosmic hue was determined by averaging the light from over 200,000 galaxies.
6. Animals Experience Time Differently
Smaller animals perceive time more slowly than larger ones. This means a fly might see the world as if it were in slow motion compared to how we see it. (ref)
7. Water Might Not Be Wet
Scientifically speaking, water itself may not be wet. Wetness is defined as a liquid’s ability to adhere to a solid surface, so water makes other things wet but isn’t inherently wet itself.
8. A Headless Chicken Lived for 18 Months
In the 1940s, a chicken named Mike survived for 18 months after his head was cut off (ref). Enough of his brain stem remained intact to keep him alive, defying all odds.
9. Bacteria Could Stretch to Other Galaxies
If all the bacteria on Earth were stacked end-to-end, they would stretch for 10 billion light-years. That’s far enough to wrap around the Milky Way galaxy 20,000 times.
10. Neckties Reduce Blood Flow to the Brain
Wearing a necktie too tightly can decrease blood flow (ref) to the brain by 7.5%. This might explain why some people feel uncomfortable or sluggish when wearing one.
11. Starfish Are All Head
Technically, starfish don’t have bodies. Their entire structure is classified as a head, making them one of the strangest creatures in the animal kingdom.
12. We’re Constantly Racing around the Sun
Earth travels about 1.6 million miles per day around the Sun. We’re all on a cosmic roller coaster, whether we realize it or not.
13. There’s a Diamond Planet
A planet called 55 Cancri e, located about 40 light-years away, is believed to be made largely of diamond. (ref) This glittering world is twice the size of Earth.
14. Animals Can Be Allergic to Humans
Just as we can be allergic to animal dander, some animals can be allergic to human dander. Our dead skin cells can cause allergic reactions in pets and other creatures.
15. Boredom Increases Heart Rate
Contrary to what you might think, being bored actually increases your heart rate. It’s considered a “high arousal state” physiologically.
16. Platypuses Sweat Milk
These bizarre mammals don’t have teats, so they secrete milk through pores in their skin. It’s just one more weird feature of this already strange creature.
17. LEGO Bricks are Stronger Than Concrete
When it comes to compression strength, LEGO bricks outperform concrete. (ref) These tiny toys are built to last, which explains why stepping on one hurts so much.
18. Bananas are Slightly Radioactive
Bananas contain potassium-40, a radioactive isotope. Don’t worry though – you’d need to eat about 10 million bananas at once to suffer from radiation poisoning.
19. Hot Water Can Freeze Faster Than Cold
Under certain conditions, hot water can freeze faster than cold water. This counterintuitive phenomenon is known as the Mpemba effect.
20. Most of the Universe is Invisible
About 96% of the universe is made up of dark matter and dark energy, which are undetectable to humans. We can only see a tiny fraction of what’s out there.
21. Bats are Immune to Most Viruses
These flying mammals have an incredibly robust immune system that allows them to carry viruses without getting sick. This unique ability has made them the subject of intense scientific study.
22. Humans Could Potentially Produce Venom
While we don’t currently produce venom, humans have the genetic capability to do so. (ref) Evolution could potentially turn us into venomous creatures in the future.
23. Tardigrades Can Survive in Space
Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are microscopic creatures with extraordinary survival abilities. These tiny animals can withstand extreme conditions, including the vacuum of space.
In 2007, researchers sent tardigrades into low Earth orbit for 10 days. Surprisingly, some of them survived exposure to the harsh space environment, including cosmic radiation and the vacuum.
24. Human DNA Has Alien Origins
Our genome contains as many as 145 genes that likely came from bacteria, viruses, and other single-celled organisms. (ref) We’re more alien than we might think!
25. Saliva is Essential for Tasting
Without saliva, we wouldn’t be able to taste our food. Chemicals from food must dissolve in saliva before they can be detected by our taste buds.
26. Cockroaches Can Live without Their Heads
A cockroach can survive for up to a week without its head. They don’t need their brain to breathe and can live off their stored fat for days.
27. Lizards Smell with Their Tongues
When a lizard flicks its tongue, it’s actually smelling its environment. This behavior, called the Jacobson’s organ, helps them detect prey and avoid predators.
28. Clouds are Heavier Than You Think
A typical cumulus cloud weighs about 1.1 million pounds. That’s equivalent to 100 elephants floating above your head!
29. Burping is Impossible in Space
The lack of gravity in space means that the gases in your digestive system don’t separate from solids and liquids like they do on Earth. (ref) This makes burping impossible and potentially dangerous for astronauts.
30. Color Blindness is More Common in Men
Men are significantly more likely to be color blind than women. This is because the genes responsible for the most common types of color blindness are on the X chromosome.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.