Chinese authorities dispelled 10 persistent scientific myths on Sunday, tackling misinformation ranging from gene-based career prediction to astronaut eyewear in the annual "Science Rumor Debunking List."
Organized by the Beijing Association for Science and Technology and the Beijing Municipal Cyberspace Affairs Commission, the event featured experts from esteemed institutions like the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology. The debunked myths covered various topics, including gene testing predicting a child's success, the moon's age, eyesight requirements for astronauts, concerns about electric kettle water boiling, and more. The event aimed to clarify scientific facts and counter misinformation.
Here are the key points from the debunking list:
- Gene Testing and Future Success: Disproved the belief that gene testing can predict a child's future success based on intelligence and emotional intelligence indicators.
- Moon's Age: Clarified that the reported age of 2.03 billion years for the moon was specific to lunar basalt found in samples, not the age of the moon itself, which is estimated to be over 4 billion years.
- Astronaut Eyesight: Corrected the misconception that astronauts cannot be nearsighted or wear glasses in space, explaining that mild myopia is permitted for space travel, and astronauts can use contact lenses and glasses.
- Electric Kettle and Nerve Damage: Clarified that boiling water in an electric kettle does not lead to nerve damage or cancer due to the leaching of manganese from the stainless steel interior, as the leaching during normal water boiling is minimal.
- Sudden Death Prevention Package: Emphasized that health supplements are not medications, and blindly taking them, especially without consulting a doctor, is not advisable. Preventing sudden death involves regular check-ups, avoiding unhealthy habits, and incorporating moderate exercise.
- Lumbar Disc Herniation Treatment: Disproved the belief that sleeping on a hard board can treat lumbar disc herniation, emphasizing that proper spinal support requires a medium-firm mattress.
- Demagnetizing ID Cards: Clarified that second-generation ID cards in China do not contain magnetic strips and cannot be demagnetized by mobile phones.
Iodized Salt and Nuclear Radiation: Explained that iodized salt aims to prevent iodine deficiency and does not prevent nuclear radiation.
- Camera Pixel Count and Photo Clarity: Clarified that image quality is influenced by various factors, and the relationship between camera pixels and photo clarity is not absolute.
- Drowning Rescue Method: Emphasized that shaking the legs of a drowning person upside down to expel water does not effectively address underlying issues. Early initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is essential for a drowning victim who has experienced cardiac arrest and stopped breathing.
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