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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

Why Do Some People Faint At The Sight of Blood?

Christian explains the science of why people faint at the sight of blood. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 28, 20164 min

Do Crosswalk and "Close Door" Buttons Really Do Anything?

Are the buttons we push to cross streets, close elevator doors, and nudge the office thermostat really connected to anything? Some aren’t! Learn how these placebo buttons (don’t) work. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 26, 20164 min

How Is An Autopsy Performed?

When you need someone to exam a corpse to determine a cause of death, how do they conduct the autopsy? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 21, 20166 min

Why Do Helicopter Blades Look Weird On Video?

Helicopter blades and other fast spinning objects often produce strange effects on camera. Christian explains why. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 19, 20166 min

What Is American Cheese Really Made Of?

Processed American cheese is super cheap, consistent, shelf-stable, and orange. Christian explains how this science cheese is made. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 14, 20164 min

Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?

Is this adorable behavior rooted in sensory necessity or purposeful gesticulation? We explore what may be the cutest research ever. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 12, 20165 min

Why Do So Many Price Tags End in .99?

It’s very common to see the number 9 at the right end of a price tag. Why is this? Christian explains the psychology of prices and nines 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, 20164 min

Why Do Movie Theaters Sell Popcorn?

For millions of moviegoers, the idea of visiting the local theater automatically conjures memories of popcorn. But this wasn’t always the case – so why, out of all snacks, did popcorn become the #1 snack for film? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 05, 20164 min

How Does Lucid Dreaming Work?

Science has proven that we can be aware of our dreams while we’re in them. But can we control our dreams? Christian breaks it to you gently. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 30, 20166 min

What Is Satanism?

Just the term "satanism" is controversial. But what's actually going on with this counter-culture religion that values individualism and nonconformity? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 28, 20167 min

Why Do We Itch?

Virtually everyone has experienced an itch at one time or another – but what is an itch exactly? What causes it, and why can having one be such a maddening experience? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 23, 20165 min

How Do Microwave Ovens Work?

They’re convenient, ubiquitous and easy to use. But how do these things work, exactly? What do people mean when they say a microwave cooks food inside out? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 21, 20164 min

Why Do Dogs Yawn?

Dogs communicate by yawning, and it's complex to figure out what they might mean. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 16, 20163 min

Is WiFi Safe?

You've probably heard that wireless internet (WiFi) is dangerous. But is it true? Christian breaks it down. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 14, 20165 min

What's the ideal temperature for your refrigerator?

In this episode, Christian explains how bacteria spoils food and what temperature your refrigerator should be to slow their progress. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 09, 20164 min

Why do some noises drive me crazy?

Do you want to strangle people for chewing gum? Does the crinkle of plastic fill you with inarticulate, homicidal fury? If so, you may suffer from the little-understood condition called 'misophonia'. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 07, 20165 min

How do one-way mirrors work?

How can a single piece of glass look like a mirror from one side but a window from the other? It's not magic, it's materials technology. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 02, 20163 min

Will Soda Really Ruin My Teeth?

If your teeth are one of the hardest parts of your body, then how could soda damage them? Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 31, 20166 min

Are Stupid People More Confident?

We've all heard about the supposed relationship between confidence and knowledge - but is it true? Two researchers think they've found the answer. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 24, 20164 min

How Does Saliva Work?

Your saliva makes things taste great while killing bacteria and helping digestion. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 19, 20167 min

What Causes Red Eye In Photos?

How can a camera's flash make your eyes glow red? Tune in to learn how it works -- and how to prevent it. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 17, 20163 min

Why Do Men Have Deeper Voices?

Christian explains why male humans' voices generally get lower than female humans' during puberty. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 12, 20167 min

Why Are Honey Bees Disappearing?

Honey bees are vanishing? But why? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 10, 20166 min

How Do TV Ratings Work?

The future of your favorite TV shows hinges on their ratings – but what is a rating, and where does it come from? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 05, 20166 min

How Do Car Horns Work?

The next time you honk your car horn at that jerk who cut you off, you’ll understand how it uses physics to get the job done. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 03, 20165 min

What is Russia's "Dead Hand?"

We’ve all seen movies with supervillains building catastrophic Doomsday devices – but has anyone ever built a real one? Join Christian to learn how the Cold War led to the most dangerous nuclear system in history: Russia’s legendary – and terrifying – Dead Hand. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 27, 20166 min

What Causes the Northern Lights?

There are many misconceptions about what causes the Aurora Borealis when it really requires solar winds, magnetic fields and excited atmospheric gases. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 26, 20166 min

What Is White Noise?

Christian defines what white noise actually is and how it's used to mask other annoying sounds. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 21, 20166 min

Do Supplemental Vitamins Actually Work?

A vitamin a day keeps you healthy to play. Or does it? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 19, 20167 min
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