Science Versus Myth

Are vampires real? What is an out-of-body experience? Are crop circles proof that aliens exist? HowStuffWorks explores what is real and what is urban legend with this collection of Science Versus Myth articles.

Topics to Explore

Learn More / Page 2

What Are the Mysterious Marfa Lights?

Theories about the ghostly lights abound. Conclusions are harder to come by.

By Jamie Allen Nov 20, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Unexplained Phenomena

Why Do We Keep Turning Our Monsters Cute?

The original King of Monsters has become cute. How does that happen?

By Robert Lamb Oct 31, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Strange Creatures

Can Humans Have Superpowers?

Humans are awesome and we have superpowers of our own. But could a greedy world of "supervillains" twist them against us?

By Diana Brown Oct 10, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Everyday Myths

Hundreds Have Vanished from National Parks. Is Bigfoot to Blame?

More than 1,000 people have gone missing from U.S. national parks. Are there reasonable explanations or is there something more sinister at work?

By Diana Brown Sep 26, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Strange Creatures

Even Educators Believe Common Myths About Learning, Study Shows

According to new research, many people believe wildly inaccurate myths about the brain and learning — even those who know a lot about neuroscience.

By Shelley Danzy Sep 18, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Everyday Myths

In 1884, a Ship Was Discovered Totally Abandoned … and the Crew Was Never Found

No crew, sails set, fire still blazing in the galley — some ships wash up on shores under mysterious circumstances. The Resolven was one of them.

By Kate Kershner Aug 30, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Unexplained Phenomena

Still Searching for Bigfoot

Many people have sworn to have spotted Bigfoot. But does the elusive hominid exist?

By Diana Brown Jul 18, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Strange Creatures

How the Uncanny Valley Works

When a super-realistic android or video character gives us a creepy feeling, it enters the uncanny valley. Why do we get spooked, and what can we do to avoid it?

By Ed Grabianowski Science Vs. Myth / Unexplained Phenomena

The Famous 'Wow!' Signal Probably Wasn't Chatty Aliens After All

Bummer.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Jun 8, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Unexplained Phenomena

How Covfefe Works

Covfefe isn't as mysterious as everyone makes it out to be. We're here to explain.

By Christopher Hassiotis May 31, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Unexplained Phenomena

Infrasound and Paranormal Activity: Are They Connected?

Can infrasound explain away ghosts, hauntings and other paranormal activity?

By Diana Brown May 30, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Extra Sensory Perceptions

Is Scattering Someone's Ashes Technically Considered Littering?

It turns out you can't just scatter your loved one's ashes anywhere. So what can you do with them?

By Jesslyn Shields Apr 4, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Afterlife

If Dragons Were Real, Could They Breathe Fire?

Dragon fire is an awe-inspiring thing, but exactly how would it happen? Real-world clues from nature point the way.

By Laurie L. Dove Mar 28, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Strange Creatures

Beyond the Leprechaun: Weird Monsters Who Haunt Irish Mythology

A mysterious warrior with a silver arm? A giant subterranean king who could kill with a single glance? A dog-headed, overprotective mother? Yes! And more...

By Robert Lamb Mar 17, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Strange Creatures

Your Body Aches Have Nothing to Do With the Weather

New studies found no link between back pain, arthritis and the temperature, air pressure or humidity.

By Alia Hoyt Jan 18, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Everyday Myths

How Long Could Humanity Survive a Zombie Apocalypse?

Some physics students did the calculations, and the results are not pretty.

By Alia Hoyt Jan 11, 2017 Science Vs. Myth / Strange Creatures

A Coffee Mug Made With the Ashes of Your Loved One

So many people are getting cremated these days that we're starting to get pretty creative about what we do with all those ashes.

By Kate Kershner Nov 11, 2016 Science Vs. Myth / Afterlife

Monster Science Digs Up Some Vampire Vixens From Nature

It's that creepy time of year again, and Dr. Anton Jessup is back for another series of Monster Science. In this episode, he meets up with some unexpected vampire vixens.

By Robert Lamb Oct 19, 2016 Science Vs. Myth / Strange Creatures

13 Not 12 Constellations in the Zodiac, NASA Points Out

Thousands of years ago, the Babylonians created the zodiac and dropped a constellation when it didn't quite fit into their schematic. Its name? Opiuchus.

By Kate Kershner Sep 24, 2016 Science Vs. Myth / Everyday Myths

Would Psychic Powers Really Cause a Nosebleed?

If mental strain caused a bloody nose, academic testing sites would be awash in crimson. So why do we still see psychic nosebleeds from "Stranger Things" to "Scanners"?

By Laurie L. Dove Sep 22, 2016 Science Vs. Myth / Extra Sensory Perceptions

Chemtrails Can't Be Proven, Say Top Scientists — But Will That Sway Believers?

Top atmospheric scientists say there's no evidence those lines in the sky are part of some sinister government plot. But will that dissuade conspiracy theorists?

By Patrick J. Kiger Aug 26, 2016 Science Vs. Myth / Everyday Myths

Contrails, Not Chemtrails, Say Scientists in New Study

Not sure what chemtrails are or where you stand on them? A newly published, peer-reviewed examination of the chemtrail hypothesis could be for you. We have the scoop.

By Jonathan Strickland Aug 18, 2016 Science Vs. Myth / Everyday Myths

Scientists Prove Schrodinger's Cat Can Be in Two Places at Once

A bunch of Yale physicists decided to give Schrodinger's cat not one but two boxes. And that, strangely enough, could eventually prove handy for quantum computing.

By Julia Layton Jun 7, 2016 Science Vs. Myth / Everyday Myths

Mummified Buddhist Monk Gets Covered in Pure Gold

The Chinese monk was preserved in a ceramic vessel for almost four years, and turned into a statue to inspire others to devote themselves to the practice.

By Christopher Hassiotis May 11, 2016 Science Vs. Myth / Afterlife

Thought Experiment: What If We Stopped Walking Upright?

Humans have only been bipedal for a sliver of history. What if we returned our spines to their original position and quit walking upright? What would that world be like?

By Julie Douglas Apr 27, 2016 Science Vs. Myth / What If