The March 2025 "Science" Rumor List has been released. Do you believe these statements?

The March 2025 "Science" Myth List is out! Let's take a look at the rumors and the truth.

1. Do not use hormone drugs even if you are allergic

gossip:

Large-scale use of hormones is harmful to the human body, so do not use hormone drugs lightly.

(Image source: AI generated)

the truth:

March has entered the spring pollen season, and the number of pollen allergy patients has increased significantly. Some patients are worried that the use of preventive drugs such as hormone nasal sprays will affect their health, so they are somewhat resistant to prevention and treatment.

Experts say that you should not be afraid of hormones. The adverse reactions or side effects caused by hormones generally only occur when they are used for a long time and in large quantities. At present, nasal glucocorticoids are the first-line treatment for allergic rhinitis, and nasal spray hormones, as an external medicine, only act locally in the nasal cavity. The dosage is calculated in micrograms, and the dosage absorbed into the body through the nasal mucosa is even smaller. Nasal spray hormones are highly safe and can be used with confidence according to the doctor's advice. If pollen allergies are not prevented and treated in a standardized manner in a timely manner, the symptoms will only become more and more severe, and may even cause asthma.

There are usually two pollen peaks in Beijing in spring: late March to mid-April and late April to mid-May. The main allergenic pollens include cypress and elm pollens. Allergy patients should pay close attention to the pollen concentration monitoring information released by the meteorological department, reduce going out during the pollen season, take good protection, actively seek treatment, and clean the nasal cavity every day to effectively relieve symptoms.

2. 95# oil is more resistant to burning than 92# oil

gossip:

No. 95 oil is more resistant to burning than No. 92 oil, so it is more appropriate to use No. 95 oil.

the truth:

Gasoline grades (such as 92 and 95) refer to the octane number, and do not represent the quality grade of gasoline. It indicates the gasoline's anti-knock performance, that is, the ability to resist spontaneous combustion under high temperature and pressure. For example, 92-grade gasoline is composed of 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95-grade gasoline is composed of 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. High-grade gasoline (such as 95) does not mean more burning resistance or more cost-effective. In fact, the fuel consumption difference of the same car using different grades of gasoline is usually minimal, and the price of high-grade gasoline is usually higher, so it is not necessarily more economical.

Automobile manufacturers determine the most suitable gasoline grade based on factors such as the engine's compression ratio and intake method. Generally speaking, naturally aspirated engines have a relatively low compression ratio and can use No. 92 gasoline; turbocharged engines have a relatively high compression ratio and need to use No. 95 or No. 98 gasoline. This is because the internal temperature and pressure of a high-compression engine are higher. If gasoline with weak anti-knock properties is used, it is easy to cause engine knock, which will cause long-term damage to the engine.

Using the wrong grade of gasoline, such as using low-grade gasoline in a car with high-grade requirements, may cause engine power to drop, fuel consumption to increase, and even damage engine parts; using high-grade gasoline in a car with low-grade requirements may cause incomplete combustion and increase carbon deposits. Therefore, the most scientific and economical way is to refuel according to the requirements in the vehicle manual and on the fuel tank cap, and develop good driving habits.

3. Long-term use of diapers by male infants will lead to infertility in adulthood

gossip:

If a baby boy wears diapers for a long time, his testicles will be damaged by heat and he will have difficulty in having children when he grows up.

(Image source: AI generated)

the truth:

First of all, the "scientific basis" of this statement is untenable. The rumor claims that "diapers cause high scrotal temperature", but deliberately ignores a key fact: the testicles of infants have not yet begun to produce sperm. The real start of sperm production will not start until puberty (about 12 years old), at which time the impact of testicular temperature is out of the question. The so-called "increased testicular temperature does affect sperm development" conclusion mostly comes from studies on adult men, and it is not appropriate to apply it to infants.

Secondly, the temperature of diapers has little effect. Using diapers may increase the temperature of the scrotal area by about 1°C, but it has only been proven that the scrotal temperature of adult men increases by more than 2°C (such as sitting for a long time, wearing tight pants, etc.) to affect sperm quality. In real-life use scenarios, after babies urinate, the breathable layer of diapers will quickly expel moisture, and parents usually change them every 2-3 hours, which does not reach the damage threshold at all.

Compared with the ridiculous "harms of diapers", what parents of boys really need to be wary of are the following: first, failure of the testicles to descend into the scrotum after birth (cryptorchidism), which requires timely treatment; second, exposure to high temperatures such as long-term hot baths and long-term sitting in gaming chairs during adolescence; third, exposure to environmental chemical toxins such as pesticides and plasticizers.

4. You can use a blue light pen to detect pesticide residues when buying vegetables

gossip:

You only need to shine the blue light pen or ultraviolet pen on the vegetables. If blue light appears on the surface of the vegetables, it means that there may be a lot of pesticide residues in the vegetables.

the truth:

Whether vegetables have blue fluorescence under ultraviolet light cannot be used as a criterion for determining whether vegetables and fruits contain pesticide residues.

The blue light pens sold on some online shopping platforms claim that they work by emitting blue light of a specific wavelength to "talk" to substances in vegetables, thereby achieving the so-called detection purpose. Although there are indeed very few pesticides with fluorescent properties, in most cases, the blue fluorescence of fruits and vegetables under ultraviolet light is just some fluorescent substances produced during the storage of fruits and vegetables, such as coumarin derivatives, rather than pesticide residues. In addition, the amount of fluorescent substances is related to the freshness of the vegetables. The fresher the vegetables, the less fluorescence they have, and the longer they are stored, the more obvious the fluorescence is. Not only agricultural products, but also paper, clothes, walls, plants, etc. may show fluorescent spots under ultraviolet light.

At present, the most reliable method for rapid detection of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables is the intelligent rapid detection kit developed by the relevant team of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Through simple sample processing and combined with mobile phone scanning, 6-18 types of high-risk pesticide residues can be detected within 5-15 minutes. At present, rapid detection technology has been written into the newly revised "Law on Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products", which was officially implemented on January 1, 2023, and has become one of the important means of obtaining evidence for market supervision and random inspections and administrative penalties.

5. Apply a facial mask every day to protect your skin

gossip:

Applying a facial mask every day can moisturize your skin.

the truth:

People who apply facial masks every day may feel that their skin condition has improved at first, but over time, the skin will absorb too much water and become overhydrated, which will lead to clogged pores and weaken the skin's defense ability, resulting in sensitive skin and skin inflammation. It is recommended to use facial masks no more than 3 times a week, each time for 15-20 minutes. People with sensitive skin should try to use less facial masks containing irritating ingredients such as fragrances and preservatives.

6. Feces sticking to the toilet bowl is a sign of colon cancer

gossip:

If you find feces stuck to the toilet bowl after using it, be careful: this is a precursor to colon cancer.

(Image source: AI generated)

the truth:

Doctors use stool as a reference when diagnosing colorectal cancer (such as diarrhea or constipation, thin stools, blood in the stool, black stools, etc.). Generally, if the stool sticks to the toilet, it means that the stool contains too much liquid. The most common situation is too much water and oil. For example, if you eat too much high-fat food (such as meat, fried food, nuts, etc.), the undigested fat will mix with the feces and be discharged together, making it very sticky.

For example, if the intestinal mucosal epithelial cells are dysfunctional or damaged, the small intestinal mucosa cannot absorb fat, the large intestinal mucosa cannot absorb water, and even reversely discharges water into the intestine, it will cause obvious loose stools. This situation is common in intestinal inflammation (such as acute and chronic gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.) or the influence of drugs. Among them, there is a disease called "celiac disease", which is because the patient is allergic to gluten (protein in grains such as wheat and oats), the villi in the small intestine are damaged and cannot absorb fat, and the stool will stick to the toilet or float on the water.

There is another type of situation that is not caused by the intestines themselves, but rather by insufficient secretion of pancreatic exocrine fluid and bile in the normal human body that helps digest and break down large groups of fat. This can also cause fat to "clump together", unable to be dispersed and broken down, and thus absorption is hindered, making the stool greasy, but it is relatively rare.

Therefore, there are many reasons why stools become sticky, which are related to diet, intestinal mucosal function, and digestive juice secretion function. The proportion of malignant tumors of the digestive tract is very low, so there is no need to be overly anxious.

7. Insulin injections are more effective than oral medications in lowering blood sugar

gossip:

For diabetics, direct injection of insulin is more effective in lowering blood sugar than oral medication.

the truth:

This statement is not entirely accurate.

Insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs each have their own indications and are suitable for patients with different types and stages of diabetes.

Insulin is mainly used for patients with type 1 diabetes and some patients with type 2 diabetes, especially when oral medications cannot effectively control blood sugar or there are serious complications. It can directly supplement the lack of insulin in the body, thereby effectively lowering blood sugar. Oral hypoglycemic drugs are mainly suitable for patients with type 2 diabetes, controlling blood sugar by promoting insulin secretion, improving insulin sensitivity or reducing glucose absorption.

The choice between insulin or oral medication requires a comprehensive judgment based on the patient's condition, blood sugar level, pancreatic function and complications. There is no absolute standard of "which is better".

Diabetes treatment should be individualized, follow the doctor's instructions, use medications rationally, and combine diet management and moderate exercise to achieve optimal blood sugar control.

8. It is better to dry clean your down jacket

gossip:

Down jackets cannot be cleaned by hand or machine, so it is best to choose dry cleaning.

(Image source: AI generated)

the truth:

It is best not to dry clean. Usually the label on the inside of the clothes will have clear washing instructions or logos, and most down jackets are marked "do not dry clean".

Because the principle of dry cleaning is to use organic chemical solvents to treat clothes and remove stains on clothes. However, the main component of down is protein. The most commonly used dry cleaning agent, tetrachloroethylene, will damage the protein component of down. Its strong degreasing effect on down will also cause down to feel and harden, making the down hard and losing its fluffiness, and its warmth retention performance will be damaged.

In addition, the outer materials of most down jackets have a waterproof and windproof coating. In this case, dry cleaning agents may cause this coating to fall off, losing its windproof and waterproof properties, and accelerate the aging of the fabric, shortening the life of the down jacket.

9. Quantum energy bracelets can improve health

gossip:

Regularly wearing the quantum energy bracelet can promote blood circulation, speed up the body's metabolism, and contribute to health.

the truth:

The so-called quantum energy bracelet that improves health is complete pseudoscience.

Quantum is the smallest unit of various physical quantities. Electrons, photons, quarks and other indivisible elementary particles all belong to quantum. Quantum mechanics dominates the microscopic world and is the foundation of modern physics.

Quantum information is divided into three parts: quantum computers (through the network, remote login can be provided for learning), quantum communication (using quantum states, eavesdropping can be sensed and secure communication can be implemented), and quantum precision measurement (there are many products and research directions, but the development is uneven, and some developments have been applied, such as atomic clocks, which have been applied in GPS and Beidou). Their common feature is the use of quantum states for information processing, measurement or transmission, but the manipulation of quantum states requires a very high-precision and harsh environment. At present, it is mainly used in professional fields and has no application in medical health. It is even more impossible to use a bracelet to manipulate quantum states. Therefore, the research on using the so-called "quantum energy" to treat diseases and provide energy for humans is an outright deception.

In some publicity related to quantum bracelets, the so-called "using quantum energy and scalar waves to cause DNA and mitochondria to resonate and bring energy to the body" is just a pile of words that the public is less exposed to. It is a complete pseudo-scientific scam. The reason why some people think they are effective is mainly because of psychological suggestion.

10. Wearing a steam eye mask to sleep can protect your eyes

gossip:

Some businesses claim that "wearing a steam eye mask to sleep can protect your eyes and help you sleep", and some products are marked "continue to generate heat for X hours", implying that it is harmless to use it all night.

(Image source: AI generated)

the truth:

The steam eye mask uses self-heating temperature control technology, so that the moisture in the air and the metal powder form a heating body inside the eye mask, generating fine and moist water vapor, which increases the temperature of the eye tissue, promotes blood circulation in the eyes, regulates the function of the meibomian glands, improves dry eye symptoms, and effectively relieves eye fatigue. However, its use must follow scientific methods, otherwise it will cause unnecessary damage.

First of all, low-temperature burns are more likely to occur than you think. If the temperature of about 50°C contacts the skin for a long time, although there is no pain, the heat will slowly penetrate into the subcutaneous soft tissue and cause burns. A recent monitoring by the State Administration for Market Regulation shows that more than 35% of steam eye masks on the market can actually reach a temperature of 50°C-60°C, and the heating time exceeds 1 hour, which is equivalent to "boiling the eyeball in warm water". What's more dangerous is that people's perception of pain decreases during sleep, and many people are unaware of burns. Especially for diabetic patients, the skin sensitivity decreases, and long-term use may also lead to more serious consequences.

Secondly, even if there is no burn, wearing it overnight can cause other risks. For example, the inner fiber of the steam eye mask is prone to breeding bacteria when it is damp. If there is cosmetic residue or infection around the eyes, it may also cause conjunctivitis or even corneal ulcers. Some consumers have sensitive eye skin and may experience redness, swelling, itching and allergic reactions after use. It is recommended to use with caution. Children have delicate skin and should be used with caution to prevent burns.

Experts recommend choosing products with a constant temperature of 41°C and certified as medical devices, and strictly controlling single use to within 20 minutes, avoiding areas with wounds, inflammation, or makeup around the eyes.

The monthly "science" rumor list is guided by the Beijing Association for Science and Technology, the Beijing Municipal Cyberspace Administration, and the Capital Internet Association, and jointly released by the Beijing Science and Technology Journalists and Editors Association and the Beijing Regional Website Joint Rumor-Refuting Platform, and is supported by the Science and Technology Journalists and Editors Professional Committee of the China Science Writers Association, the China Evening News Science Editors and Journalists Association, the Shanghai Science Communication Association, and the Institute of Science and Technology Information of the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology.

Sources of this issue: CCTV News Client, Science Popularization China, China Consumer News, Beijing Daily, Tencent Jiuzhen, Healthy China, Tencent Medical Classics, Science Rumor Refutation, Youjia Client