Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [physiology]

Human physiology is the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of humans in good health, their organs, and the cells of which they are composed. The principal level of focus of physiology is at the level of organs and systems within systems.

Human physiology is the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of humans in good health, their organs, and the cells of which they are composed. The principal level of focus of physiology is at the level of organs and systems within systems.

Physiology is closely related to anatomy; anatomy is the study of form, and physiology is the study of function. Due to the frequent connection between form and function physiology and anatomy are intrinsically linked and are studied in tandem as part of a medical curriculum.

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Is umami a real flavor, or a marketing strategy?

I've been watching today's Paul Hollywood's Pies and Puds, and they have just had a shown a segment where they create seaweed dessert to sample a fifth human taste, umami. Apparently the perception of human taste consists of; sweet sour bitter…
John Smith Optional
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Can you knock someone out with pressure points, in the style of a Vulcan nerve pinch?

Is it possible to pinch someone's nerve (on the shoulder) in a manner similar to the way Spock would do on Star Trek such that the person would either pass-out or result in being temporarily paralyzed? Proponents of Ryukyu Kempo martial arts claim…
slm
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Could smoking cause erectile dysfunction?

I was told that smoking 'menthol' cigarettes could cause erectile dysfunction. But I don't know how much of this is true so I wanted to know how much of this is true... Here is an example of the claim: Source: Tobacco Free Florida, via: Guts of a…
nidhi_adiga
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Do Hubbard Electrometers (E-meters) detect emotion about past experiences?

I saw a table set up for "Free Stress Test" that someone was sitting at looking forlorn because everybody was walking past. I asked how it worked and she got me to sit down with these two cans attached to a device she called an "e-meter" with a…
Hannah
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Are ergonomic keyboards better for your health?

Popular consensus seems to be that ergonomic keyboards (with the middle split or curve) are better for your physical health than standard keyboards, and reduce the likelihood of carpel tunnel syndrome or other medical issues. If this is the case, I…
DuckMaestro
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Does a vinegar bandana help against tear gas?

In the context of the "occupy" protests, I've head a couple of times that you should carry a bandana or cloth soaked in vinegar with you, and in case the police uses tear gas/irritants, you should breath through it, or cover your face with it. …
jdm
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Do hot baths damage skin or nerves?

I like to take showers and baths hot enough to leave my skin pink when I come out. One of my friends has a much lower tolerance to hot water and has said that that soaking in hot water can damage the nerves. What I consider to be warmish is hot to…
AnnanFay
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Is breaking bricks/wood "karate style" an impressive feat?

Related: How do Shaolin monks break spears with their neck? For anyone unacquainted with the fairly impressive looking feat of breaking bricks (or wood) in martial arts, see THIS 1.5min video. I'd say most people tend to view this practice as…
Hendy
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Do you feel pain in a life-threatening situation?

Let's say you are in a war-situation, and both you and your opponent are out of bullets. When I was in the army, I learned that the most efficient way to kill your opponent would be to kick him in the balls until he was incapacitated by the pain…
Painkiller
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Can a camera flash blind the eyes of a baby?

This story in the Daily Mail talks of a case where a newborn baby lost its eyesight due to the camera flash. Doctors said the three-month-old, who has not been named, has suffered irreparable damage from the flash of the camera, which was held…
Bravo
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Can someone get pregnant merely by using the swimming pool?

This Daily Mail story says that a woman went to court as her daughter got pregnant by swimming. A mother is suing a hotel claiming her teenage daughter fell pregnant simply from using a hotel swimming pool. Magdalena Kwiatkowska says the…
Qner
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Does stretching help children grow taller?

This article claims: Stretching is a great way to increase height. Get your child to start with simple stretches like the wall stretch. Make him stand against a wall with the back towards it. Raise hands in the air and stretch as far as…
Franck Dernoncourt
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Can the Bajau people stay underwater for as long as 13 minutes?

National Geographic 4/2018: 'Sea Nomads' Are First Known Humans Genetically Adapted to Diving claims: But a group of people called the Bajau takes free diving to the extreme, staying underwater for as long as 13 minutes at depths of around 200…
Franck Dernoncourt
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Any validity to palmistry?

Unlike fortune-telling techniques, palmistry (or palm reading) has a potential connection with reality. Are there any studies that relate any personality traits to shapes of the hand, or lines?
David Thornley
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Does sleeping with our heads pointing towards north pose any health risks?

Does sleeping orientation (pointing one's head in a specific direction) has anything to do with any health problems(even minor ones)? If Earth's magnetic field has any detrimental effects on our brains, then the orientation of our sleeping …
AIB
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