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BrainStuff

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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.

Episodes

BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Bruises Change Color?

Bruises can turn a rainbow of colors before they heal -- but why? Learn the science behind color-changing contusions in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/health-factors/why-do-bruises-change-colors-as-heal.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 23, 20244 min

Could You Hear In Space?

Sound needs matter to travel through -- and matter is scattered pretty far and wide in space. Learn more about how hearing works and how space works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/humans-hear-in-space.htm/printable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 22, 20247 min

How Do Dingoes Work (and Did One Really Eat a Baby?)

Dingoes are Australia's wiley wild canines -- and yes, they can be dangerous to humans. Learn about the origin of this pop culture phrase in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/dingo.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 21, 20248 min

How Did Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation Work?

The Emanicaption Proclamation didn't immediately free any enslaved people -- it wasn't meant to. Learn how it succeeded at its actual purpose -- demoralizing the Confederacy -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/lincoln-emancipation-proclamation.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 19, 20248 min

How Do Pickles Work?

Pickled cucumbers are a simple snack favored by everyone from deli-goers to Cleopatra. Learn the science and history behind pickling in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-science/pickle-history.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 18, 20247 min

Which Athletes Live the Longest?

All exercise is good for keeping us healthier and happier -- but some kinds of exercise can actually help you live longer, too. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/which-athletes-live-longest.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 17, 20246 min

BrainStuff Classics: Why Does Helium Make Your Voice Squeaky?

If you take a pull of air from a helium balloon, you'll sound like a cartoon version of yourself for a few seconds. Learn why helium makes you so high pitched in this episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 16, 20245 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Can a Star Become a Giant Crystal?

After our sun dies, it and many other stars will eventually crystallize. Learn how astrophysicists figured this out -- and how it works -- in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/after-sun-dies-itll-become-stellar-crystal.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 15, 20246 min

How Did Cesar Chavez Change the Labor Movement?

Though his formal education and financial means were limited, Cesar Chavez succeeded in unionizing California farm workers as no one had before. Learn about his life and dedication to La Causa in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/cesar-chavez.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 14, 20249 min

How Do Giraffes Have Such Long Necks?

Giraffe's necks contain only seven vertabrae, just like ours, but can be several feet long. Learn how their bodies adapted to this amazing structure in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/giraffe-neck.htm/printable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 11, 20246 min

How Does Aspic Work?

Aspic is savory gelatin that can serve as a sort of showstopping, jiggly salad. Learn the science behind how it's made (and a few guesses about why) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/aspic.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 11, 20248 min

Did the Maya Civilization Fall Because of Climate Change?

It wasn't a total cultural collapse, but several Maya cities were abandonded all around the same time. Learn how natural and human-driven climate change may have been key in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/climate-change-end-mayan-civilization.htm/printable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 06, 202412 min

BrainStuff Classics: What's the History of Nail Polish?

The nail polishes popular today owe their existence to the automotive industry, but the history of nail colors and varnishes goes back millennia. Learn the history of nail polish in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/nail-care/tips/colorful-history-nail-polish.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 05, 20245 min

BrainStuff Classics: Do Dogs Get Embarrassed When We Put Them in Costumes?

The photos on social media are arguably the cutest, but how do dogs feel when we dress them up? Can dogs feel emarrassment? Learn what science has to say in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/do-dogs-get-embarrassed.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 04, 20245 min

If a Stop Light Is Stuck on Red, What Can You Do?

If a traffic light seems stuck on red, you're not stuck too. Learn what's legal and what's safe to try in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/if-light-is-stuck-on-red-are-stuck-too.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 03, 20244 min

How Did Benedict Arnold Become So Infamous?

Benedict Arnold is the United States' most famous traitor. Learn about his journey from hero to villain of the Revolutionary War in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/benedict-arnold.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 02, 202411 min

How Do Pallas's Cats Work?

These small, wild cats with famously grumpy expressions are uniquely adapted to their frigid high-altitude environtments. Learn more about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/pallas-cat.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 01, 20246 min

What's the Difference Between Sociopathy and Psychopathy?

Popular culture throws around the terms 'sociopath' and 'psychopath' a lot, but neither is a real mental health diagnosis. Learn about the actual traits and conditions behind these terms in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/mental-disorders/sociopath-vs-psychopath.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 30, 202410 min

Are Humans Built to Drink Milk After Childhood?

The majority of humans become lactose intolerant as they grow up. Learn how ancient herders changed our digestive gene pool in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/humans-built-drink-milk-adults.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 19, 20244 min

How Should You Escape a Sinking Car?

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/auto-safety-testing/escape-sinking-car.htm; https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/auto-glass.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 18, 20246 min

How Do Cherry Blossom Trees Work?

Cherry blossom trees are so celebrated because their beautiful blooms are so short-lived. Learn about these trees (and how so many wound up in Washington, D.C.) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-traditions/cherry-blossom.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 17, 202410 min

How Did Bessie Stringfield Shape Motorcycle History?

Starting in the 1930s, this adventurous Black woman toured the U.S., performed stunts, and served her country on motorcycles. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/bessie-stringfield.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 16, 20247 min

How Do Squirrels Organize Their Hoards?

It turns out that some tree squirrels have complex organization systems for their stashes. Learn how they hide and find exactly what they want in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/squirrels-really-organize-nuts.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 15, 20247 min

BrainStuff Classics: What Makes Some Lakes Explode?

Given the right depth, temperature, and access to volcanic gases, lakes can explode and kill thousands in the process. Learn how these limnic eruptions happen in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/what-makes-killer-lake-explode.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 18, 20246 min

BrainStuff Classics: Why Is Palm Oil in So Many Things?

Palm oil is in lots of foods, cosmetics, and household products -- and that's a very serious thing. Learn the problems (and solutions) that palm oil presents in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/conservation/issues/palm-oil-is-everywhere-heres-why-that-matters.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 17, 20246 min

Where Did the Word 'OK' Come From?

OK may be the most frequently spoken word in the world -- but what does it stand for? How did it get here? Learn the etymology behind it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article -- okay? Okay! https://people.howstuffworks.com/history-ok.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 16, 20249 min

Should You Beware the Ides of March?

The Ides of March is an artifact of an ancient Roman calendar that's stuck with us thanks to Julius Caesar getting himself assassinated and William Shakespeare writing about it. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/ides-of-march.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 15, 20248 min

How Do Fruit Bats Work?

The many species of fruit bats around the world help pollinate our plants and spread their seeds far and wide. Learn more about these flying mammals in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/fruit-bats.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 14, 20247 min

What Are Meat Sweats?

Sometimes, foods that require more effort for our bodies to digest (like meats) can cause us to sweat. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/digestive/are-meat-sweats-real-thing.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 13, 20244 min

How Did Susan B. Anthony Work?

Susan B. Anthony went from a radical arrested for placing a vote to an honoree on U.S. currency within a century. Learn more about her life and work in both abolition and women's suffrage in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/susan-b-anthony.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 05, 20247 min