BrainStuff
2,442 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★ - 1.6K ratingsWhether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on BrainStuff to explore -- and explain -- the everyday science in the world around us.
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Episodes
Is there any way to see orbiting satellites?
May 25, 2011 21:05 - 1 minute - 1.81 MBSatellites are fascinating, but for most people they're somewhat mysterious. They float somewhere in space, invisible to the naked eye -- or are they? In this episode of BrainStuff, Marshall explains the physics behind satellites and orbits. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: May 6th, 2011
May 06, 2011 20:30 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBWith billions of people on the planet and millions of astonishing events happening each day, it's tough to keep track of everything. Luckily, Marshall's here to keep you up-to-date with the latest news in his weekly news roundup. Tune in and learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: April 29th, 2011
April 29, 2011 20:13 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBWith billions of people on the planet and millions of astonishing events happening each day, it's tough to keep track of everything. Luckily, Marshall's here to keep you up-to-date with the latest news in his weekly news roundup. Tune in and learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: April 22nd, 2011
April 22, 2011 17:54 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBFrom the Dukan Diet to gigantic super organisms, there's no shortage of fascinating news stories each week -- so how can you keep track of the best? Never fear: Tune in as Marshall catches you up to speed with his weekly news roundup. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: April 15th, 2011
April 15, 2011 18:32 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBWith billions of people on the planet and millions of astonishing events happening each day, it's tough to keep track of everything. Luckily, Marshall's here to keep you up-to-date with the latest news in his weekly news roundup. Tune in and learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: April 7th, 2011
April 08, 2011 21:41 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBWith billions of people on the planet and millions of astonishing events happening each day, it's tough to keep track of everything. Luckily, Marshall's here to keep you up-to-date with the latest news in his weekly news roundup. Tune in and learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How many people does it take to do a Formula 1 pit stop?
April 06, 2011 18:21 - 3 minutes - 3.04 MBIf you've ever seen a Formula 1 race, then you know the race isn't just between cars -- it's also between pit stop crews. In seven seconds these crews perform an entire pit stop. But how does it work, and how many people does it take? Tune in to find out. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: April 1st, 2011
April 01, 2011 20:27 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBWith billions of people on the planet and millions of astonishing events happening each day, it's tough to keep track of everything. Luckily, Marshall's here to keep you up-to-date with the latest news in his weekly news roundup. Tune in and learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: March 25th, 2011
March 25, 2011 19:28 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBFrom streaming photo albums to Rebecca Black, this week has been chock-full of fascinating (or, at least in Rebecca's case, unavoidable) events. Tune in as Marshall Brain helps you catch up on the latest and most interesting news from around the world. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: March 18th, 2011
March 18, 2011 21:29 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBAs the nuclear situation in Japan continues to deteriorate, Marshall explores how a similar earthquake could affect the United States. And that's not all: Tune in and catch up on the latest, most fascinating news of the past week in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: March 4th, 2011
March 04, 2011 20:49 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBWant to catch up on the biggest news stories of the week? If so, tune in as Marshall Brain analyzes the latest breaking news from around the world in this weekly news roundup. Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: February 25th, 2011
February 25, 2011 20:47 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBWill the USB port become a thing of the past? How far will the price of solar power fall? Join Marshall Brain as he brings you the latest world news, from the death of the Guinea worm or the growth of private space exploration. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup 2-18-2011
February 18, 2011 22:10 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBFrom Jeopardy's first nonhuman contestant to the secret recipe for Coca-Cola, this week has been packed with fascinating stories. Tune in as Marshall helps you catch up on the week's most interesting news. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup No. 2
February 11, 2011 18:01 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBEach Friday, Marshall Brain brings you the latest news of the week in one handy podcast. Want to know what's shaking in the world of technology, science and more? Then tune in for a dose of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marshall Brain's News Roundup No. 1
February 04, 2011 21:16 - 11 minutes - 11 MBWhat's the deal with the UFO sighting in Jerusalem? Will the high schools of the future be filled with telepresence robots? Tune in and join Marshall Brain as he reviews the week's most fascinating news. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Anti-reflective Coatings
January 17, 2011 18:06 - 3 minutes - 3.68 MBAnti-reflective coatings are used to eliminate any light reflective off the back of the lenses. Learn about anti-reflective coatings in this BrainStuff episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is the coolest stuff from the 2011 edition of CES?
January 10, 2011 18:00 - 8 minutes - 7.41 MBWhen it came to gadgets, the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show did not disappoint. But which new products were the coolest? Tune in as Marshall Brain breaks down the latest and greatest of the CES in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is a cyberwar, and what tactics do cyber warriors use?
December 20, 2010 20:15 - 5 minutes - 4.82 MBModern warfare has expanded beyond its tradtional venues and tactics, infiltrating the world of cyberspace. In this episode, Marshall discusses the many forms of cyber warfare, from computer hacking to viruses. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is it possible to get free land and free houses in the U.S.?
December 17, 2010 21:42 - 5 minutes - 5.42 MBIn the 1860s, the Homestead Act provided free land to settlers. Is there anything like that in 2010? In this episode, Marshall explains why and how it's possible to acquire land and houses for free -- or really cheaply -- in the United States today. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is there a way to make my sunglasses scratch-resistant?
December 06, 2010 20:13 - 3 minutes - 2.87 MBSunglasses have various special coatings: Some are reflective, while others are scratch-resistant. In this episode, Marshall explains how these different coatings work. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
how does a direct-injection 2-stroke engine work?
November 22, 2010 21:15 - 5 minutes - 5.31 MBIn a previous episode, Marshall explained how 4-stroke, direct-injection engines work; In this one, he takes a look at 2-stroke engines that utilize direct injection technology. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How did instant cameras work?
October 15, 2010 18:54 - 6 minutes - 6.2 MBInstant cameras made it possible to see a photograph almost immediately after you'd taken it. But how? In this episode, Marshall explains the chemical processes behind regular and instant photographic film. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is a Nor'easter?
September 24, 2010 20:00 - 3 minutes - 2.9 MBNor'easters are storm systems that frequently occur in the eastern United States during winter. In this episode, Marshall explains where Nor'easters get their name, how they work and why some Nor'easters are more powerful than others. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do they backlight LCD screens?
August 23, 2010 19:44 - 4 minutes - 3.97 MBIn this episode, Marshall explains the two technologies that are used to backlight LCD panels. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What exactly is jello made from?
July 21, 2010 18:33 - 4 minutes - 4.62 MBJello is tasty, colorful and fun to eat, but what's in it? One of its ingredients, gelatin, comes from animals. Marshall Brain breaks down the chemistry of jello and gelatin in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's the best way to get Twitter or Facebook followers?
May 26, 2010 19:51 - 2 minutes - 2.41 MBIn this episode, Marshall Brain launches the first of a series of experiments with social media. Tune in to learn more about the new BrainStuff Twitter and Facebook accounts and Marshall's social media experiments. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When I pay for groceries by check, where does that check go?
May 14, 2010 17:21 - 4 minutes - 4.49 MBWhen you write a check to purchase goods and services, it passes through the hands of several banks before the process is complete. Marshall explains how checks are processed through intermediary banks in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is it harmful to breathe 100 percent oxygen?
May 03, 2010 18:40 - 4 minutes - 4.11 MBOxygen is a necessary component of the air we breathe; but in its pure form, it can be hazardous to one's health. Marshall Brain explains how breathing pure oxygen harms the human body in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
how do I know if my catalytic converter has failed?
April 09, 2010 17:53 - 2 minutes - 2.79 MBAn automobile's catalytic converter uses a catalyst to convert harmful exhaust fumes into harmless ones. Find out what happens when your catalytic converter stops working properly -- and how you can tell -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do blimps work?
February 16, 2010 00:21 - 4 minutes - 4.55 MBTune in to this episode of BrainStuff to learn more about blimps, from how they work to why they're a popular medium for advertisin Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does a gas pump know when the fuel tank is full?
January 20, 2010 17:36 - 1 minute - 1.87 MBIf you've ever put gas in a car, you've probably noticed how the gas pump shuts off when your tank is full. But how does it know to do that? Learn more about the clever mechanism that keeps your gas tank from overflowing in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does the Nobel Prize work?
December 21, 2009 20:00 - 1 minute - 1.83 MBNobel Prizes are highly prestigious, valuable awards that have been given out to visionaries and pioneers in select fields since 1901. Tune in to find out more about the Nobel Prize in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do satellites orbit the Earth?
November 23, 2009 15:38 - 3 minutes - 3.24 MBIn this episode of BrainStuff, Marshall explains the physics behind satellites and orbits. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do they measure sea level?
October 26, 2009 14:14 - 4 minutes - 3.75 MBSea level is an important measurement, but it's also a complicated one. Find out why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do herbicides like Roundup work?
October 21, 2009 15:07 - 2 minutes - 2.29 MBHerbicides like Roundup are products that inhibit plant and weed growth in a very specific way. Explore the biochemistry behind glyphosphate-based herbicides in this episode of HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can grilling meat really cause cancer?
March 23, 2009 16:00 - 2 minutes - 1.99 MBLots of people like to grill their meat, but this popular cooking method has been linked to cancer. Discover how chemical reactions make grilled meat potentially carcinogenic in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How long can a germ live in a room?
March 16, 2009 16:00 - 1 minute - 1.78 MBHow long can a germ last outside the body? It depends. Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to find out how different germs fare outside the body. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do fog machines work?
March 13, 2009 16:00 - 1 minute - 1.53 MBThere are several types of fog machines, each with specific advantages and disadvantages. Listen in to learn more about fog machines. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are florescent bulbs really more efficient?
March 09, 2009 16:00 - 1 minute - 1.13 MBCustomers are increasingly choosing long-lasting alternatives to traditional incandescent lights. But are florescent lightbulbs really more efficient than traditional lightbulbs? Listen in and find out in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Car Thermostats Work
March 06, 2009 18:00 - 2 minutes - 1.96 MBAny liquid-cooled car engine has a thermostat that blocks the flow of coolant to the radiator. Learn how the thermostat works to reduce wear, deposits and emissions in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why can boats float on water?
March 04, 2009 18:00 - 3 minutes - 2.84 MBIf a boat weighs 1,000 pounds, it will sink into the water until it displaces 1,000 pounds of water. Tune in to learn how the shape of a boat allows it to displace enough water to float in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How the Virtual First-Down Line Works
March 02, 2009 18:00 - 3 minutes - 3.16 MBVirtual first down lines are used to indicate where play resumes in football -- but how do they work? Listen in as Marshall Brain explains how the technology superimposes a virtual line in this podcast on HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is dioxin?
February 25, 2009 18:00 - 2 minutes - 2.18 MBDioxin is an organic chemical that consists of benzene, oxygen and chlorine. This chemical is also toxic. Tune in to learn more about dioxin and Agent Orange in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Activated Charcoal Works
February 20, 2009 18:00 - 1 minute - 1.8 MBIf you look on the label of a water filter, you'll often see the filter contains activated charcoal -- but what exactly is this stuff? Tune in as Marshall Brain explains the nature of activated charcoal in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does SETI at home work?
February 11, 2009 18:00 - 3 minutes - 3.41 MBSETI -- the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence -- is an enormous, global undertaking meant to detect signs of life beyond our solar system. Learn how you can help from home in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is silica gel?
February 02, 2009 18:00 - 1 minute - 1.63 MBEveryone's familiar with those little packets of silicate gel, found in thousands of products -- but what exactly do they do? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast and learn more about silica gel. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why doesn't the vacuum of space suck away Earth's atmosphere?
January 30, 2009 18:00 - 2 minutes - 2.66 MBIt's often said that "nature abhores a vacuum." If that's true, then why doesn't the vacuum of space suck away our atmosphere? Tune in as Marshall Brain explains the science behind vacuums in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Vacuums Work
December 15, 2008 18:00 - 1 minute - 1.85 MBIf a balloon was filled by a vacuum -- rather than helium or air -- would it float? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn the science behind balloons and vacuum. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is an MRE?
December 12, 2008 18:00 - 3 minutesAn MRE -- or meal ready to eat -- contains precooked, sterilized food originally made to nourish soldiers. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the retort packaging that makes MREs possible. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
What is an MRE?
December 12, 2008 18:00 - 1 minute - 1.38 MBAn MRE -- or meal ready to eat -- contains precooked, sterilized food originally made to nourish soldiers. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the retort packaging that makes MREs possible. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.