Everyday Facts Of Life That Science Can’t Actually Explain

What’s clear for scientists is that laughing helps unite humans. Think of all the people at a stand-up comedy show, laughing in unison at the comedian’s jokes, and you get a sense of that. But from an evolutionary standpoint, scientists have suggested that humor comes from something outside a social or physical norm for a human, but not one that is threatening and triggers a fear response. Rather, a lighthearted response helps us to foster bonds with others.

One substance scientists have pinpointed as being key to aging is free radicals: damaging reactive chemicals that attack the skin’s outer layers. But there are many other factors, and free-radical damage can be limited with protective moisturizers and a healthy diet, for example.  Another factor is the shortening of protective caps of DNA known as telomeres on each chromosome in the human body. But still many questions remain. We hope they hurry up and figure it all out so we can go back to being young again!

One of the chief questions about gravity that scientists still have, is why does mass create gravity? Another they are not sure of is how exactly one particular object gravitationally influences another one. Yet another mystery is how weak gravity is when compared to numerous other forces of nature. C’mon scientific community, figure it all out, please!

One theory is that purring is a soothing mechanism for cats, or a way to express contentment, in the same way a tiger’s chuffs seem to be. But cats also purr when scared or angry, so there’s some doubt on this. Interestingly there has also been an indication from relevant research that cats purr in order to stimulate bone growth, with the frequency at which they do it encouraging tissue regeneration.

Not surprisingly, scientists have been a bit stumped as to how and why this could be the case down the years. They’ve searched for explanations, and developed theories. One suggests that around 70 million years ago, the fruit family of which tomatoes are a part tripled its genome, making three copies of each gene. Some were discarded as time went on, but useful ones remained. This is perhaps one reason why tomatoes have so many genes in them. How did it happen though? Likely through some kind of mutation, and the need for extra genes to survive a tough period on our planet after the dinosaurs became extinct.

Theories abound, though. One is that crying has been developed through evolution as a social mechanism, its purpose being to foster empathy between humans. There is also the idea that crying is a way of communicating sadness, or being submissive to a dominant/stronger human in order to avert violence. All of those make sense to us!

Such is the complexity of turbulence that frustrated physicists mark it as one of the largest remaining gaps in knowledge in their field. As of today, no physicist has been able to present a perfect model of turbulent flow. One of the problems in doing so is the abnormality, randomness, and pure chaos of turbulent flows. Doesn’t seem like we’ll have an answer any time soon, then!

The reasons for migration seem pretty clear: warmer climes and more abundant food sources. It takes a lot of energy to save energy though, with that initial long-distance migration, and many don’t make it. And the question of why some migrate and others don’t remains unanswered. Fortunately, tracking devices are now allowing scientists to learn more about bird’s migration behavior, so maybe a more definitive answer is on the way. Meanwhile, fur seals are thought to navigate back to the spots of their birth via an amazing reading of the planet’s geomagnetic field, but this has not been conclusively proved beyond doubt.

One theory they do have, though, is that of the “mechanical itch.” This is the type that is triggered when the body’s fine hairs are bothered. It’s thought that this may be an evolutionary development to alert the itchy human being to the presence of parasites or biting insects on the skin, that could be removed by scratching away. But the histamine chemical itch that arises after a bite still pushes us to scratch and likely make things worse, so go figure.

It doesn’t appear that there are any major theories as to why, beyond the natural selection advantage gained by having certain blood-types. Dr. Mohammad Mobayed of  ProMedica Hematology/Oncology Associates told website thehealthy.com that there are “no definitive theories [that explain] why blood types differ among humans.” Well, better get to work on forming some then, doc, as we want to know. Chop chop!

Theories abound as to what happens when we sleep. Scientists remain unsure about the mechanisms that the body utilizes in order to put us in an NREM or REM state, and why some humans can function well with just a few hours, while others cannot. A working theory on the need for sleep has come out of research that suggested that the brain runs vital maintenance during periods of shut-eye, including forging connections with itself. Researchers have also learnt that waste chemicals are cleared out the body whilst we sleep.

What scientists — and glassmakers, of course — do know is that when glass is in its molten form, it is possible to shape it into many different contours before it reaches its cool, solid state. Those free-moving molecules slow down when out of liquid form, but not in a regular pattern, hence those beautiful wine or beer glasses you have at home, or pick up in a bar. But as to why this happens, scientists are currently none the wiser.

One theory developed from research centers around anesthesia interrupting the neural activity in the fatty parts of the brain. Researchers also noted that certain receptors found in our gray matter link themselves to the anesthetic, which culminates in a loss of sensation or consciousness, depending on the dose and how it is applied. There may be more to it than this, though, so assorted clever people are still working to figure out more.

Whilst scientists don’t really know why only some thunderstorms produce tornadoes, they are aware that they often form when cold, dry air mixes with its warmer, more humid counterpart; Tornado Alley is so prone to tornadoes because of the cold Arctic air emerging from the Southwest meeting with the warm air emanating from the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists have also pinpointed air-temperature changes flowing downward around mesocyclones leading to the formation of tornadoes, but again, they can also form without this, so there is still a considerable gap in knowledge on the subject: not least on how they subside.

Boffins used to believe that you can glide across the rink due to the pressure of the skate lifting the temperature of the ice, so that it slightly melted and left a skin of water for the movement to work. That has been largely debunked now, and scientists are more interested in theories that the water molecules at the ice’s surface aren’t bound as tightly together, or that flaws in the structure of it enable it to reach a liquid state more readily.

Firstly, some scientists have suggested that blushing might be a developed evolutionary response, in order to show deference to group leaders. Then again, other boffins have hypothesized that blushing is a way of winning people over: studies have suggested regular blushers are often seen as more likable and tend to render other people more willing to overlook their past indiscretions.

Some scientists have claimed the reason for most humans having a preferred hand is down to evolution: there was some advantage to be had from using complex tools using one hand in particular. But this doesn’t explain the predominance of right-handers: an estimated 90 percent of us, compared to just 10 percent who favor our left hand. Some research has shown those with genetic diseases like Down’s syndrome are more frequently left-handed, and there is often unusual brain development in lefties; perhaps there is some disadvantage to being left-handed?

The main reason we yawn, scientists suggest, is as a method to push more oxygen-rich blood into the brain, where it is needed to keep us alert and awake. Another theory is that we do it to jolt our bodies, as our heart rates increase and eye muscles become more tense. We might yawn to regulate the temperature of our brains too. The contagious nature of yawning could be down to social mirroring of animals and humans, but who really knows?

Yes, whilst boffins know how a bike works — the foot pedal turning the gear which in turn moves the wheel — they have so far not understood why a bike can continue upright on its own whilst moving, before collapsing in a heap when it stops. One theory put forward is that the spinning of the wheel gives the bicycle the necessary stability, but why though, is it balanced? Another idea was that the wheel acts like a caster on a shopping cart, but this has largely been abandoned. Amazingly, the bike-mad Dutch have created an entire center to try and figure out this question.

Scientific theories on why humans develop hiccups have been developed over the years. One such idea is that hiccups are a relic response from an earlier stage of human evolution: one that is not needed now and which arises relatively rarely. Another theory is that hiccups are an attempt to expel unwanted gas, most often in babies. But boffins have done relatively few studies on the questions surrounding hiccups, and haven’t come up with many ideas about how to get rid of them, either.

Scientists, though, aren’t exactly sure or in full agreement what the appendix is for. The most common theory — one that goes back to Charles Darwin — was that the organ is effectively an evolutionary leftover, a tool for aiding digestion of greenery, back from when our ancestors ate mostly plants. This idea has been countered more recently by another, which hypothesizes that the appendix actually stores and protects some good bacteria needed by the body. The jury is still out on this, though.

Indeed, some professed experts in sleep believe that dreaming serves no meaningful purpose, but is just a way for the brain to explore during sleep. But others think that it does, and one theory is that dreaming is a sort of evolutionary response to danger or prospective situations. So, that scary dream where you are being chased could be a way of preparing you for just such a threatening situation in the future, should it arise in real life.

Yes, why we have viruses inside our bodies even when we are not ill is something that biologists are working on. They estimate that there are a whopping 380 trillion viruses in your body now, in what is called the human virome. In 2010 scientists didn’t really know such a thing existed. They are trying to figure out more, and this discovery made them realize humans are superorganisms of cohabitating cells, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Maybe someday soon they will figure out the answer to this question.

Initially, it was suggested that fingerprints were developed to help humans grip things. But an investigation into this theory discovered this was baloney, as having smooth, fingertip-less fingers would enhance our grip. So, perhaps it is that they protect our digits in some way, or that they enhance touch sensitivity? C’mon boffins, figure it out for us!

Indeed, boffins who study these kinds of things are stumped by the unique tactile quality of soft sand, but at least have some theories as to why it is like it is. One key one is that a smaller grain of sand most often means it’ll feel softer, because it is able to move more easily between your feet as you stride along it barefoot. Still, if it’s too small, there’s a chance it will be clumpy and sticky due to moisture. Of course, the top layer of sand hasn’t been compressed down like the lower ones, so that is another reason why it feels softer on top.

Scientists have presented several theories and undertaken numerous studies on the question of why laughter can be so catchy. One centers around the fact that humans are social creatures, and laughter is something that occurs through humans being empathetic and group-oriented. Another suggests that laughing is good for our health as it releases endorphins from the brain, so we are prone to doing it whenever we can.

Yes, scientists are remarkably still unclear about the mechanisms involved in creating a static charge from a balloon, indeed or why it happens in the manner that it does. Theories have been developed, though. One suggests that the static charge occurs due to the interaction of two different materials which carry a different number of electrons. This has since been debunked, as static charges can arise from two objects made out of the same material. So, the favorite nowadays among scientists is that there are other molecules that are swapped during the contact between hair and balloon, for example.

Indeed, scientists have failed to find a cure for this most common of ailments, but there is a fairly good reason why this is the case. You see, colds arise from seven distinct families of viruses, and those families all have sub-viruses within them. Scientists have so far not been able to  create a “catch-all” cure for all cold viruses, because of mutations, and the fact there are over 200 of them!

Yes, boffins are divided on precisely how lightning strikes come about. They know all about what the cumulonimbus clouds contain, but can’t pinpoint exactly why the charged elements in the clouds that generate lightning separate in quite the manner they do. One theory suggests that cosmic rays are responsible, and that when they hit the Earth’s atmosphere they alter the electrical composition of clouds. But this theory is unproven, and the fact that air does not conduct electricity well is another head-scratcher for scientists trying to figure out this phenomenon.

How do we know this? Well, look on the side of the bottle next time you buy Tylenol, and you’ll see a physician’s note that lays this shocking fact bare. Scientists don’t know why it works or the processes it follows. Theories have arisen from research though. One is that Tylenol works by blocking an enzyme that is linked with the feeling of pain. Another suggests that the medicine engages with the endocannabinoid system that is linked to pain, and yet another points to the potential of it adjusting serotonin signals. Maybe all three of these theories are true, or perhaps none. Who knows?