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BrainStuff

iHeartPodcastswww.iheart.com
Whether 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

How can the grass on a golf course green be so perfect?

The greens on a golf course are famously smooth and perfect-looking, but how do they get that way? Discover how careful planning, the right ingredients and a whole lot of maintenance yield a flawless green in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 07, 20123 min

Why do they add iodine to salt?

Table salt contains iodine to help prevent thyroid problems and iodine deficiencies. Find out how table salt keeps your thyroid happy -- and what iodine has to do with a nuclear attack -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 30, 20123 min

What does RSVP mean?

Most people are familiar with the concept of replying to a party invitation via R.S.V.P., but what exactly do those letters represent? Learn more about the origins and practices of etiquette in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 14, 20124 min

How does gravity work?

Gravity affects us every single day, but how does this oh-so-common force of nature work? Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to take a look at the nuts and bolts of gravity. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 24, 20123 min

Why is there a small hole on the top of spray can lids?

Many spray can lids have a tiny hole at the top. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about spray cans, shipping and air pressure. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 22, 20122 min

Why doesn’t the vacuum of space suck away Earth’s atmosphere?

It's often said that "nature abhors 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.

Oct 01, 20123 min

How Replacing Toilets Work

A family of four can consume more than 300 gallons of water per day. Old toilets use 5 gallons per flush, and this water use quickly adds up. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast and learn why cities across the US are replacing their old commodes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 28, 20122 min

What do those plastic recycling symbols mean?

A typical recycling symbol on plastic looks like a triangle made of arrows. There are seven different types of plastic indicated by the symbols. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn the difference between each of these plastic types. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 21, 20123 min

How does a Fresnel lens work?

The thin piece of plastic called a Fresnel lens solves some of the problems inherent in traditional magnifying lenses. Learn more about the benefits and weaknesses of Fresnel lenses in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 17, 20122 min

What makes your arms, legs and feet fall asleep?

When you put prolonged pressure on your feet, arms or legs, you temporarily cut off or scramble communications between your brain and your body parts. Marshall explains exactly what happens when body parts "fall sleep" in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 31, 20123 min

Why is the Nissan Leaf such a big deal?

Nissan recently released the Leaf, a model which may be the first viable electric car to come on the market. How does it work? Why do people have high hopes for it? Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to find out more about the Nissan Leaf. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 27, 20125 min

What do the brake warning lights mean in my car?

The brake warning lights in your car light up as part of a routine test. When they stay on, they indicate that there's something wrong with your brake system. Learn more about brake warning lights in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 20, 20122 min

How much does 20-pound bond paper weigh?

Your average ream of printer paper is called 20-pound bond paper, but it doesn't actually weigh 20 pounds. Tune in as Marshall explains this strange American paper naming system -- and its metric alternative -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 18, 20122 min

How does Christmas work?

Christmas is the biggest holiday on the American calendar -- but how did it get this way? Travel back in time with Marshall Brain as he explores the evolution of Christmas in this special holiday episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 09, 20126 min

Why are West Coast waves bigger than East Coast waves?

The West Coast of the United States seems to produce bigger, more impressive waves than the East Coast. But why? In this episode, Marshall explains the various factors that make West Coast waves bigger and better. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 06, 20124 min

What is a T1 line and how does it work?

A T1 line is a dedicated fiber optic or copper cable that provides businesses with far more digital data than a residential line. Discover how T1 and other kinds of fiber optic lines work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 04, 20123 min

How do you decaffeinate coffee and tea?

There are multiple methods of removing caffeine from naturally caffeinated plant products. Learn more about these processes -- and how much caffeine they really remove -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 29, 20124 min

How do Voyager 1 and 2 transmit messages from far away?

Spacecraft Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 transmit images of space and its contents from great distances, but how? Learn more about the technology that allows them to send radio messages from far, far away in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 27, 20123 min

Do Power Balance Wristbands really work?

Do Power Balance Wristbands really work? Find out in this BrainStuff podcast by Marshall Brain. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 22, 20125 min

What's the most efficient way to mow your yard?

There's more than one way to mow a yard, but which is the most efficient? Tune in to this episode of BrainStuff to find out. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 13, 20123 min

How does disk defragmentation work?

The term 'disk defrag' usually refers to the Windows utility known as the disk defragmenter. But what exactly is this thing, and how does it work? Tune in as Marshall Brain explains disk defragmentation in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 06, 20124 min

How do space mirrors work?

Mirrors placed in space could deflect excessive sunlight and combat global warming trends. Find out more about space mirrors in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 01, 20122 min

Why do newspapers turn yellow over time?

Newspapers turn yellow over time because they contain lignin, a substance in wood that oxidates when exposed to air and light. Learn more about lignin and paper processing in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 21, 20123 min

Why do eggs turn hard when you boil them?

Eggs are rich in protein, and this protein causes eggs to turn hard when they're boiled - but how does it actually work? Tune in as Marshall Brain breaks down the science behind hard-boiled eggs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 11, 20123 min

How do you add a USB device if you've run out of ports?

Desktop computers and laptops only have so many USB ports, so what do you do when you want to plug in more USB devices and they're all full? You buy a USB hub. Find out how these hubs work, and which kind you should get, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 27, 20124 min

What is an autograph worth?

An autograph is a famous person's signature, but what determines how valuable it is? Marshall Brain discusses the relative value of autographs -- and what you can do to increase the value of your own signature. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 23, 20124 min

What are electrolytes?

What are electrolytes, and why do athletes and sick kids need them? Marshall Brain explains how ions and electrolytes work in your body in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 20, 20123 min

Why do most zippers say 'YKK' on the pull-tab?

Have you ever wondered why zippers often have the letters 'YKK' etched into them? Learn more about the Japanese company behind the tiny letters -- and the zippers -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 13, 20122 min

How much coal does a light bulb need to run for a year?

How much coal do you need to run a 100-watt light bulb 24 hours a day for a year? The answer might surprised. Tune in and find out in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 09, 20123 min

What is mayonnaise?

Mayo is an emulsion - a mixture of two liquids that normally can't be combined. So how do these ingredients come together? Tune in to learn how oil, egg yolks and acid combine to form one of the world's most popular condiments. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 06, 20125 min
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