How many symphonies did Mozart compose?
No-one is quite sure.
The only certainty is that it's not 41.
#music #classical #Mozart #symphony
wikenigma.org.uk/content/hist...
Trees have microbiomes
Around 1 billion organisms per trunk
No-one knows the implications
#science #botany #trees #unknown
wikenigma.org.uk/content/life...
A 2025 study from the University of Edinburgh is suggesting that somewhere around 10% of your brain cells are not in fact yours . . . Or, indeed, anyone else's.
#neuroscience #science #brain
wikenigma.org.uk/blog:blog
Can forced smiling lead to a more positive mood?
The idea has been around since the time of Darwin
Some say it works.
Others say it does not work (except as a placebo)
#science #psychology #unknown
wikenigma.org.uk/content/psyc...
Why does #Time always flow in the direction it does?
New (2025) research hints at the possibility that, universally, it may not.
#Quantum-physics #Space-time #Science #Paradox #Unexplained
wikenigma.org.uk/content/phys...
The origin of the word ´Quiz´
Might be relatively straightforward right?
And yet,
and yet.
Experts on such things are far from agreement.
It´s a puzzle.
#Quiz #etymology #words #language
wikenigma.org.uk/content/lang...
Colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) was discovered in the 1950s . . .
It´s still (very) largely unexplained.
#Science #Physics #Unknown
wikenigma.org.uk/content/phys...
Plant galls.
Are wasp larvae somehow performing localised
genetic engineering (via Horizontal Gene Transfer) on host plants?
No-one has the foggiest idea.
#science #botany #plants #insects #genetics
wikenigma.org.uk/content/life...
Oil and water don´t mix
We all know that
We learned it at school
All the tetxbooks explain it
Simple, right?
Err, no, not really
#science
wikenigma.org.uk/content/chem...
How do dogs manage to grab frisbees?
How do angler-fish zap flies?
How do fielders catch balls?
There are theories, but no-one is quite sure
See : 'The Outfielder Problem' at Wikenigma
#science #dogs #brain #math
wikenigma.org.uk/content/psyc...
Have you ever glanced at an analogue clock and seen the second-hand stuck - or even jump back a second?
If so, you're not alone.
It's the well known 'stopped clock illusion'
Needless to say, it remains unexplained.
#science #psychology #brain
wikenigma.org.uk/content/psyc...
Do you think you might have 'Brain sand' ?
errr, you almost certainly do . . .
#science #medicine #unknown #brain
wikenigma.org.uk/content/life...
Everyone knows the chemical formula for #water is :
#H2O
Yep. On 𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 it is . . .
But, a lot of the time, things are considerably more complicated than that . . .
#Science #Physics #Chemistry #Uknown
For detalis, see :
wikenigma.org.uk/content/chem...
Ever noticed the Moon looks much bigger when it's near the horizon?
Ever wondered why?
You are not alone.
It's the 'Moon Illusion'
And it's never been explained.
#Moon #Science #Mystery #Illusion #Unknown
Details :
wikenigma.org.uk/content/psyc...
Why are some birds so good at mimicking?
We still have pretty much no idea.
#Birds #Parrots #Mimic #Science #Zoology
wikenigma.org.uk/content/life...
Ever got 'Chills' listening to music?
There's plenty of research about it.
But to date, nobody has any idea how (or why) it happens.
#Music #Chills #Psychology #Science
wikenigma.org.uk/content/psyc...
Do you sometimes get super sleepy on long rail journeys?
If so, you might have 'Sopite syndrome'
No-one knows how or why it happens.
#Science #Rail #Travel #Sleep
wikenigma.org.uk/content/medi...
Do you ever get cramp - and wonder exactly what causes it?
It's been intensely studied for more than 100 years - and still no-one really understands it.
#Science #Medicine #Sports #Curiosity
wikenigma.org.uk/content/medi...
Why do substances smell the way they do?
For the most part, no-one really knows
#Science #Curiostity #Unknown
wikenigma.org.uk/content/life...
Wikenigma is a unique resource specifically dedicated to documenting fundamental gaps in human knowledge.
An attempt at listing scientific and academic 'known unknowns'.
A catalyst for curiosity.
wikenigma.org.uk
#Science
