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13 Common Phenomena With Fascinating Scientific Explanations

Science says cats bring home dead animals in an attempt to teach us to hunt.

13 Common Phenomena With Fascinating Scientific Explanations

July 20, 2023

Ah, the mysteries of life! We all experience so many things in our everyday lives that we don’t quite understand. From the tingly feeling in your mouth after eating too much pineapple, to the rush of adrenaline that can open up your sinuses during an orgasm, there are so many things that we take for granted without really understanding how they work. But don’t worry, because now you can finally get the answers you’ve been searching for!

In this list, we’ll explore 13 surprising scientific explanations for everyday stuff.

If you’re curious about the strange and surprising ways that nature can affect us, you’ve come to the right place. So, get ready to be amazed as we dive into the science behind why your eyes can be fooled by optical illusions, why jet skis are so loud, and why your body can make its own Vitamin D with some sun. Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to be enlightened.

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13

Red Eyes

CRACKED Why does smoking weed give you red eyes? Because the chemicals in it interact with certain receptors in your body, which causes the blood vessels in your eyes to widen and more blood to flow to them. — Shahedul Sifat/Shutterstock
McGill University

12

Orgasms

Why does having an orgasm sometimes clear your sinuses? An orgasm can cause a rush of adrenaline that can make your sinuses swell up temporarily. The tissues in your nose shrink, which opens up your nasal passages. CRACKED — tugol/Shutterstock
NBC News

11

Teaching by example.

CRACKED Why do cats come back carrying dead animals? They're trying to teach you and set an example: it's in their nature to be a parent and teacher to their family. They're trying to show their family how to hunt and survive. — Klimek Pavol/Shutterstock
Live Science

10

Squeaky sneakers.

CRACKED 40 Why do basketball games sound so squeaky? When you hear a squeaking sound when playing basketball, it's because of the stick- slip phenomenon. This is a scientific principle where two flat surfaces keep sticking and unsticking due to friction, which causes vibration and makes a noise. — Alex Kravtsov/Shutterstock
The New York Times

9

Water darkens cloth.

CRACKED Why is wet cloth darker? When cloth is wet, it looks darker because the water fills in the spaces between the fibers and micro-fibers, which causes some of the light to be bent away from us, so we can't see it. — PhotobyTawat/Shutterstock
Australian Broadcasting Corporation

8

Rust

Why do you get tetanus from rusted metal? It doesn't actually have anything to do with the rusted metal itself, but a bacteria that lives on it. Tetanus is caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani, which can also stay alive in dirt and animal poop, producing a harmful toxin. CRACKED — Tiffany C Ward/Shutterstock
Mayo Clinic

7

Sweetness varies, genetically.

L021019 Why do some artificial sweeteners taste bitter? Basically, it all comes down to the individual taster, like cilantro. Some people's genes make artificial sweeteners taste more or less bitter than they do for other people. CRACKED — Monika Wisniewska/Shutterstock
Penn State University

6

Sneeze at your own risk.

CRACKED Why do some people sneeze when they see a bright light? Some people have a genetic quirk that makes them sneeze when they're exposed to bright light or other triggers. It's called photic sneeze reflex, or - charmingly - ACH00 syndrome for short. — Billion Photos/Shutterstock
Healthline

5

Pineapple

GRACKED Why do you sometimes get a tingly sensation from eating pineapple? Because of the enzyme complex bromelain that's found in the fruit. This enzyme breaks down the proteins that make up the mucosal layer, which is the protective coating in your mouth. — Kotcha K/Shutterstock
Live Science

4

Scent

Why are you supposed to spray perfume on your wrists and neck? They're some of the places on your body where your blood vessels are closest to the skin, meaning they give off heat, which helps the scent of your perfume or cologne last all day. CRACKED — marinafrost/Shutterstock
Perfumeson

3

Jet skis: loud and proud.

Why do jet skis spray a jet of water behind them? They have a high-pressure water spray to make them more noticeable to other jet skiers and boats, and also to help keep the motor from overheating. CRACKED — Martin Charles Hatch/Shutterstock
Woody’s Watersports

2

Ouch.

CRACKED Why does tinfoil on dental fillings give you a shock? When two different metals, like silver and aluminum, touch each other in the presence of saliva, it creates a tiny electric charge that gives you a shock in your tooth. This is called galvanic shock. — Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock
Modern Dentistry of Shrewsbury

1

Gut-buzzing goodness.

Why does coffee make you need to poop? Caffeine can stimulate your colon and intestinal muscles, and other compounds, like chlorogenic acids and N-alkanoyl-5- hydroxytryptamine, can help too. CRACKED — Izabela Magier/Shutterstock
Healthline

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