BrainStuff
2,430 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month 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.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
How Do Ticks Cause Meat Allergies?
December 15, 2022 22:00 - 3 minutes - 3.61 MBYou can contract an allergy to red meat from a tick bite thanks to a compound called alpha-gal. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/allergies/food-allergy/dairy-eggs-meat/meat-allergy-lone-star-tick.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do Scientists Want You to Say 'UAPs', not 'UFOs'?
December 15, 2022 14:37 - 6 minutes - 5.6 MBResearchers who are currently looking into inexplicable lights and objects in the sky are calling them unexplained aerial phenomena (UAPs), not unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/space/aliens-ufos/uaps.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do We Get Hiccups?
December 11, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 4.02 MBWhat's happening when you get hiccups, and how can you stop them? Learn what science knows -- and doesn't know -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Every Snowflake Really Unique?
December 10, 2022 10:00 - 6 minutes - 6.3 MBSnowflakes fall by the trillions during every snowstorm, so how could each one be unique? Learn about the incredible crystal physics behind snowflake development in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/is-every-snowflake-actually-unique.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Could Temporary Tattoos Revolutionize Blood Pressure Monitoring?
December 08, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 4.45 MBResearch into a new wearable electronic patch made of graphene may make it possible to monitor blood pressure continuously and unobtrusively in the next few years. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/cardiovascular/blood-pressure/blood-pressure-tattoo-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Does the Artemis I Mission Work?
December 07, 2022 22:27 - 8 minutes - 8.19 MBThe Artemis space program is an international effort to put people back on the Moon within the next several years. Learn how the first mission is going in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://science.howstuffworks.com/artemis-news.htm; https://science.howstuffworks.com/snoopy-artemis.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: What Happens to Balloons When You Release Them?
November 27, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 4.04 MBHow high can helium balloons go before they burst? Do they always burst? Learn about the physics of escaped balloons in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Can Side Sleeping Help Prevent Snoring?
November 26, 2022 10:00 - 3 minutes - 2.95 MBSnoring can root from a number of causes, but sleeping on your side can usually help prevent it. Learn the science of snores in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/sleep/disorders/does-sleeping-on-side-stop-snoring.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Does Checkout Charity Work?
November 25, 2022 10:00 - 6 minutes - 5.71 MBAsking customers for charitable donations at checkout can raise a lot of money -- and a lot of goodwill for the business. (And no, businesses can't write off your donations on their taxes.) Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/checkout-charity-is-good-for-business.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do U.S. Presidents Pardon Turkeys for Thanksgiving?
November 24, 2022 10:00 - 7 minutes - 6.97 MBThis odd tradition seems to stem from early in the history of Thanksgiving being a national holiday, and has only gotten more formal (and more silly) in recent years. Learn about turkeys in the White House in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/presidential-turkey-pardon.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Pop-Up Wetlands Work?
November 23, 2022 10:00 - 7 minutes - 6.85 MBIn California, human development has taken away migrating shorebirds' habitats -- so conservationists are renting rice fields during the farmers' off season to act as temporary habitats. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/conservation/issues/renting-rice-fields-farmers-migrating-water-fowl.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Reign of Terror: The Story of the Osage Murders
November 22, 2022 16:47 - 10 minutes - 9.63 MBFrom 1920 to 1930, after the indigenous Osage people struck it rich with oil on their land, grifters scammed them out of millions -- and murdered a number of them in the process. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/osage-tribe-murders.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Eels Reproduce?
November 21, 2022 21:21 - 7 minutes - 6.92 MBWe know that eels spawn, like many marine mammals -- but spawning can take many forms. So how do eels do it? Learn what we know (and don't know) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/how-do-eels-reproduce.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's the Oldest Tree in the World?
November 14, 2022 10:00 - 6 minutes - 5.59 MBThe holder of this title is debated, but Earth's oldest tree is at least (at least!) 4,800 years old -- and may be much older. Learn about the contenders in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/oldest-tree-in-world.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: How Do Homeless Americans Vote?
November 13, 2022 10:00 - 6 minutes - 5.82 MBNot having a permanent address or access to identifying documents can make voting in U.S. elections nearly impossible. Learn more about these challenges -- and what some organizations are doing to help -- in this episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: What Was The Great Pox?
November 12, 2022 10:00 - 3 minutes - 3.2 MBYou've heard of smallpox, but what was the great pox? And did Shakespeare have it? Learn about the spread of (spoiler alert) syphilis in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/literature/pox-on-that-refers-to.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Seahorses Work?
November 11, 2022 16:00 - 6 minutes - 6.01 MBThese social fish are fascinating for reasons far beyond their unique shapes. Learn about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/seahorses.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can the President Control Gasoline Prices?
November 10, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 4.85 MBThere's very little that any U.S. president can do to affect gas prices in the short term. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/president-gas-prices.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can You Get Pregnant During Your Period?
November 09, 2022 20:00 - 6 minutes - 6.12 MBShort answer: Yes, totally. Human bodies all work a little differently, so it's possible to have an egg ready to go while you're having your period. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/fertility/abnormal-menstrual-cycles-and-fertility.htm; https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/fertility/pregnant-during-period.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do Political TV Ads Really Change Voters' Minds?
November 08, 2022 20:40 - 7 minutes - 6.86 MBIn hotly contested elections, campaigns flood television channels and streaming services with ads for or against the people running. Learn when they can make a difference in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/do-campaign-tv-ads-change-voters-minds.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Graveyards Scary?
October 31, 2022 09:00 - 8 minutes - 7.46 MBCemeteries and other places where we inter or honor the dead are often at least a little unsettling. Learn about the psychology and philosophy behind this phenomenon in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/afterlife/scary-graveyard.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Does the Monstrous Lamia Work?
October 29, 2022 09:00 - 6 minutes - 5.65 MBLamia is a character from Greek myth who, in various tellings, devours children or seduces men. Learn about her legends in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/lamia.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can You Sleep With Your Eyes Open?
October 25, 2022 09:00 - 4 minutes - 3.8 MBIt's not necessarily fun (nor on purpose), but yes, some people sleep with one or both eyes partially open. Learn how nocturnal lagophthalmos works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/sleep/disorders/can-fall-asleep-with-eyes-open.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Did Prehistoric Animals Get So Big?
October 24, 2022 09:00 - 5 minutes - 5.08 MBToday's megafauna are tiny compared with history's largest dinosaurs. Learn a few theories about how these animals got so big in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/extinct-animals/why-were-prehistoric-animals-big.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: What Is Nuclear Pasta?
October 23, 2022 09:00 - 4 minutes - 4.18 MBNo, it's not radioactive noodles -- nuclear pasta is the term for weird material produced in neutron stars. Learn why astrophysicists are so interested in how it works in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-pasta-is-super-macaroni-universe.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Caskets So Expensive?
October 22, 2022 09:00 - 6 minutes - 6.11 MBThe rising price of caskets has outpaced even the rising rate of inflation -- but why? Learn what industry experts think in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/funerals/caskets-so-expensive-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do Leaves Change Color in the Fall?
October 21, 2022 09:00 - 4 minutes - 4.42 MBThe brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows we see on trees in the fall are actually part of trees' defense mechanisms against the oncoming winter. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/leaves-turn-red.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's the Difference Between Redistricting and Gerrymandering?
October 20, 2022 14:00 - 9 minutes - 8.61 MBRedrawing voting district lines in your favor is an accepted (and legal) political play -- in some cases. Learn the differences between redistricting and gerrymandering (and how minority voters figure in) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/redistricting-gerrymandering.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do So Many Animals Have Snot?
October 03, 2022 09:00 - 5 minutes - 5.02 MBMucus is gross, but it does a lot of good in humans and the many other animals that produce it. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/respiratory/mucus.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Could Jupiter Have Water After All?
October 02, 2022 09:00 - 5 minutes - 4.83 MBAstronomers have long suspected that Jupiter contains lots of water, but they've never been able to prove it. Learn about the new research that could help -- and thus solve lots of questions about our solar system -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/great-red-spot-may-expose-jupiters-watery-secret.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: What Would Happen If You Wrecked a Car on a Test-Drive?
October 01, 2022 09:00 - 5 minutes - 4.88 MBIf you wreck a car during a test-drive, would you have to pay for it? Learn how car dealers handle this surprisingly rare occurance in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/what-happens-if-wreck-car-on-test-drive.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Who Really Profited from the Gold Rush?
September 30, 2022 09:00 - 7 minutes - 6.69 MBA few people did strike it rich in the American Gold Rush of the 1800s -- but none of them were looking for gold. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/gold-rush.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's the Coldest Place On Earth?
September 29, 2022 09:00 - 7 minutes - 6.47 MBResearchers have recorded some shatteringly cold temperatures on our generally mild planet -- but the answer to this question depends on your definition of "on". Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/coldest-place-on-earth.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Causes Nightmares, and How Can You Prevent Them?
September 28, 2022 09:00 - 6 minutes - 6.32 MBEveryone has bad dreams sometimes, but if nightmares plague you, mental exercises or physical treatments might help. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/sleep/dreams/nightmares.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Could Blue Denim Be Greener?
September 27, 2022 14:00 - 5 minutes - 4.64 MBIt takes a lot of water and some toxic chemicals to dye our denim blue. Learn how research into chitosan could make the process more environmentally friendly in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/sustainable/denim-dyeing.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Hognose Snakes Play Dead?
September 26, 2022 22:00 - 6 minutes - 6.18 MBNorth American hognose snakes are among the creatures that will dramatically feign death to escape predators. Learn about these reptiles (and thanatosis) in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/snakes/hognose-snake.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Should You Worry About Nitrates in Your Food?
September 22, 2022 09:00 - 5 minutes - 4.91 MBWe associate nitrates with processed meats, but they occur in vegetables, too -- and they're not all bad. Learn more about nitrates and nitrites in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/nitrates.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Artefacts Has This Summer's Drought Uncovered?
September 21, 2022 09:00 - 4 minutes - 3.85 MBOur changing climate is creating all kinds of effects -- including some surprising historical reveals. Learn about a few of the human remains, dinosaur tracks, and WWII relics that receding waters have uncovered in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/archaeology/droughts-uncover-ancient-artifacts-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Did Queen Elizabeth II Fall in Love with Corgis?
September 20, 2022 21:00 - 8 minutes - 7.83 MBWhen Queen Elizabeth II died in September of 2022, she left a legacy that includes at least a couple of Welsh Pembroke corgis. Learn about her history with this breed in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/queen-corgis.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Does Your Pinky Toe Actually Do?
September 14, 2022 09:00 - 4 minutes - 4.23 MBThe pinky toe is actually an important element in how we humans usually walk, jump, skip, etc. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/parts/surprise-pinky-toe-does-serve-purpose.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Muskrats Work?
September 13, 2022 09:00 - 6 minutes - 5.86 MBMuskrats are clever semi-aquatic rodents with a distinct musky scent. Learn more about them (and, yes, 'Muskrat Love') in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/muskrat.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Could Saudi Arabia's Futuristic City 'The Line' Work?
September 12, 2022 09:00 - 4 minutes - 4.56 MBWould you live in a city 100 miles long but only 650 feet wide? Learn about Saudi Arabia's ambitious Neom Project in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/the-line-saudi-arabia-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: What Is Breakup Bootcamp?
September 11, 2022 09:00 - 5 minutes - 5.52 MBWe have retreats for everything else, so why not survival post-breakup? Learn how these camps hope to help the broken hearted, plus what emotional work they won't cover, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/tips/breakup-bootcamp-surviving-broken-heart.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: What Are Food Deserts?
September 10, 2022 09:00 - 4 minutes - 4.49 MBIn the U.S., 17.6 million people lack access to healthy food because there aren't any grocery stores or other shops that sell fresh food nearby. Learn about food deserts and how we can fix them in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/americans-still-lack-access-to-healthy-food.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Did a Conman Sell the Brooklyn Bridge -- Over and Over?
September 09, 2022 09:00 - 4 minutes - 4.48 MBAround the turn of the 20th century, career criminal George C. Parker 'sold' property he didn't own, from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dozens of times over. Learn more about his scams in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/conman-sold-brooklyn-bridge.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Does Gallium Work?
September 08, 2022 09:00 - 8 minutes - 7.52 MBGallium is super rare, really useful in LEDs and smartphones, and will melt in your hand -- but won't boil until it hits 4000 degrees Fahrenheit. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/gallium.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do Animals Sploot?
September 07, 2022 21:00 - 4 minutes - 3.76 MBWhen animals sploot (that is, lay flat on their bellies with their limbs spread out) on a hot day, they're taking advantage of a cool surface. Learn about humans' sweating versus other animals' splooting in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/splooting.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Does Doomscrolling Work?
September 06, 2022 21:00 - 6 minutes - 6.12 MBSocial media is designed to keep you scrolling -- but too much negative news can be, well, too much. Learn why we doomscroll and how you can stop in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/networks/doomscrolling.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Did Vikings' Gut Worms Create Today's Lung Disease?
September 06, 2022 14:46 - 4 minutes - 3.98 MBIntestinal parasites that plagued our ancestors seem to have led to a genetic adaptation that's causing emphysema and COPD today. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/respiratory/viking-toilet-investigation-emphysema.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Who Is The Laughing Buddha?
September 04, 2022 09:00 - 5 minutes - 4.7 MBStatues of this jolly fellow adorn the register counters of many restaurants -- but he's not the Buddha. Learn about this Buddhist deity in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/that-fat-jolly-fella-isnt-buddha.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.