Seven science myths

Is it just me? I love these kinds of debunking lists. Especially since I have children and they are always tellin me what their friends have told them -- don't swallow that chewing gum, it will remain in your stomach for seven years. It can't possibly be true, but it's fun fiction.

To that end, Live Science has come up with a cool list of seven of the most popular myths in science. You can click through the entire list here, page-by-page. Here's a summary:

1. It takes seven years to digest gum: While it may prove a bit more difficult to break down than organic foodstuffs, chewing gum gets no special treatment from the digestive system.

2. The Great Wall of China is the only manmade structure visible from space: Astronauts can spot the Great Wall from low-Earth orbit, along with plenty of other things like the Giza pyramids and even airport runways.

3. Humans use only 10 percent of their brains: MRI imaging clearly demonstrates—with fancy colors no less—that humans put most of their cerebral cortex to good use.

4. Adults don't grow new brain cells: Studies have shown that neurons continue to grow and change well into the adult years.

5. Water drains backwards in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Earth's rotation: Water flow into the drain is to due its structure, not the Earth's rotation.

6. Animals can predict natural disasters: There is no evidence that animals possess a mysterious sixth-sense allowing them to predict natural disasters.

7. A penny dropped from the top of a tall building could kill a pedestrian: A combination of its shape and wind friction means that, tossed even from the 1,250-foot Empire State Building, it would travel fast enough merely to sting an unlucky pedestrian.

Ok, so what myths did you believe? Until recently I might have believed nos. 3 and 5, but I've learned enough about science to not buy into them. However, no. 7 was completely new to me. What if I dropped a roll of pennies?

Oh, and if you're an animal lover, feel free to disagree with no. 6. I know you will.