Science can be enlightening, teaching us how the universe works and helping us see the beauty of the world around us, while also providing comfort. There are some pieces of scientific knowledge, though, that are completely terrifying.
These facts from science fans on Reddit take a look at the darker side of science, the forbidden knowledge that you might rather not learn about. For those with a morbid fascination with the cruel and harsh reality of the universe, this is the perfect list.
Take a look at some of these disquieting facts about the world we live in, and don’t be afraid to switch to a gallery of cute animals instead if it’s too much for you.
1
Heart muscle cells reproduce only around 1% per year in adults. So if you have a heart attack or some other stressor that kills heart muscle cells, your heart will likely not be able to replace those dead cells.
2
Proteins in your body can become misfolded in a way that spreads to other proteins, is completely incurable and untreatable, and has a 100% fatality rate. It’s called prion disease.
3
The Higgs field of the universe, the mysterious substance that gives all particles their mass, might be a ‘false vacuum’. This means it could decay at any moment, destroying the entire universe.
4
If you're exposed to rabies and start to show symptoms, your chance of survival is virtually zero percent.
5
Researchers have found viruses in Arctic permafrost that have been dormant for tens of thousands of years. Since viruses aren’t technically alive, these dormant viruses can be revived and resume infecting cells. As the polar ice melts, these viruses may be released from the permafrost.
6
Bacteria gain resistance to antibiotics at a faster rate than we can develop new medicines. Eventually antibiotics will not be able to treat simple but deadly bacterial infections.
7
The United States has lost and never recovered at least six nuclear devices.
8
Acetaminophen is the most commonly used pain reliever in the world, but scientists don’t really know how it works. They have an idea, but don’t know for sure.
9
When doing an autopsy they don’t put the organs back where they belong. They are all stored in the belly.
10
Every few hundred years, the sun emits a Coronal Mass Ejection. If one happened today, it would knock out all the tech infrastructure on the side of the Earth facing the sun. The last one occurred in the 1890s, the next one is a matter of time.
11
Around 1 in 3 people will get cancer, with varying stats around the world. In Germany, it’s almost 1 in 2 people.
12
The UK created and tested weaponized strains of anthrax which can remain active and dangerous for 40 or more years.
13
You need a certain type of sand to make concrete, and we are running out.
14
If a helicopter pilot lets go of the controls for only 3 seconds, the helicopter can tip over to a degree that it is not recoverable.
15
We only grow one type of banana tree. If a specific infection happens that targets that type of tree, we could lose bananas altogether, as there is no alternative.
16
When you get killed by army ants, it’s not bites that kill you. It’s invasion of the lungs.
17
50% of insects have disappeared since 1970.
