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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

What Does Self-Defense Insurance Protect Gun Owners Against?

Several organizations now offer insurance policies to gun owners who may fire in self-defense, to help with legal decisions and fees. But how does this affect the gun control debate? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 12, 20186 min

Could You Legally Bury Someone in Your Backyard?

Home burials are largely a thing of the past, but they're perfectly legal in most states -- once you check a few boxes. Learn how home burials work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 12, 20186 min

Can Bats Jam Each Other's Sonar?

Bats use sonar to find food in the dark -- but they've got a lot of competition from other bats. Learn about echolocation and how bats go on the offensive in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 10, 20183 min

What Tech Will Replace the Smartphone?

Although it's an integral part of many people's lives today, the smartphone is bound to be replaced by the next big thing (and probably sooner than later). We explore what (and when) that might be. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 09, 20185 min

Did the Genes for Light Skin Colors Evolve in Europe?

A widescale genetic survey has shown that despite common misconceptions, race really is only skin deep. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 08, 20185 min

How Much Can Ice Tell Us About Climate Change?

Ice cores from glaciers are like fossils of ancient Earth's weather patterns. Tune in to learn how one such sample from Tibet may hold an important history lesson. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 05, 20185 min

Why Are Teens Cyberbullying Themselves?

A new study indicates that some teens bully themselves online, posting hateful messages from fake or anonymous accounts. Researchers are looking into why, and how to help. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 04, 20185 min

Could Some Microbes Live on Air Alone?

Researchers have found Antarctic microbes that appear to get all the nutrients they need from thin air. Could this change our search for extraterrestrial life? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 03, 20183 min

How Similar Is the Opioid Epidemic to the Crack Epidemic?

The War on Drugs being waged against opioids is very different than the one that was fought against crack. Learn more about the politics of race and addiction in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 02, 20186 min

Why Are Resolutions So Easy to Break?

Most of us break our New Years resolutions — and researchers have found a few reasons why. Learn how to build a better resolution with this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 01, 20184 min

Should Amazon Be Considered a Monopoly?

Although it doesn’t fall into our traditional definition of a monopoly, some researchers argue that Amazon’s scope calls for a new definition. Learn why in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 29, 20175 min

Could This Newly Discovered Planet Harbor Life?

An Earth-sized planet only 11 light years away might have the right conditions to sustain life as we know it, despite its star having some strange qualities. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 28, 20175 min

How Long Have We Been Keeping Dogs on Leashes?

A new find of very old artwork depicts dogs wearing leashes. Learn more about our history with man’s best friend in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 27, 20173 min

How Much Cardboard Does Online Shipping Use?

Online shipping is highly convenient, and it’s changing the way we use cardboard — but not necessarily for the worse. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 26, 20175 min

The Tale of the Christmas Truce

What was the Christmas Truce? Tune in to learn the story behind this small miracle from the Great War. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 25, 20173 min

What Can a Cache of Pterosaur Eggs Teach Us?

A huge cache of ancient pterosaur eggs has been unearthed in China. Learn what this find can tell us about these flying contemporaries of dinosaurs in this epiosde of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 22, 20176 min

Could You Outrun a Volcano?

Outrunning a volcanic eruption, like many things that look easy in movies or sound simple in theory, is more complicated in reality. Learn why you shouldn't attempt this feat in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 21, 20173 min

Will Bitcoin Remain the Biggest Cryptocurrency?

Bitcoin's booming value has everyone excited, but some financial experts are putting their money on other cryptocurrencies. Learn about the potential future of Bitcoin in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 20176 min

Is There a Real Witches' Curse in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'?

You may have heard that the Bard's tragedy "Macbeth" is cursed. Learn how this superstition came about in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 19, 20173 min

There's Another Reason to Not Eat Raw Cookie Dough

Recent research has revealed another danger lurking in uncooked dough: tenacious E. coli can survive in dry flour. Learn how scientists figured it out in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 18, 20173 min

Why Can't Some People Sleep Without a Fan?

Some people find it impossible to sleep without background noise, like a fan whirring. Researchers have identified the possible culprit. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 15, 20173 min

Why Do People Get Adult-Onset Food Allergies?

New research indicates that adult-onset food allergies are more common than previously thought. But why do they happen? Learn more on BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 14, 20175 min

Do We Need to Redefine the Four Seasons?

As climate change affects the planet's weather patterns, some parts of the world will see the seasons bleed together. Tune in to learn how we define the seasons now, and how some researchers think that should change. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 13, 20174 min

Did Giant Crabs Eat Amelia Earhart?

No, really, it's a serious question. In this episode, learn why -- and how -- researchers have investigated giant land crabs' potential role in the famous pilot's ultimate demise. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 12, 20173 min

How Much Does Getting Stuck in Traffic Cost Us?

When you add up all the wasted time and gasoline, traffic hotspots cost drivers billions of dollars. Learn how researchers are using technology to measure the problem -- and hopefully make it better. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 11, 20175 min

How Fast Can We Take a Picture of the Entire Sky?

A new robotic camera is set to change what we know about outer space by capturing huge images of the night sky. Learn more on BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 08, 20173 min

Why Do We Find Symmetry So Pleasing?

What is it about the arrangement of petals on a flower or a perfectly symmetrical display of soup cans that catches our eye? Our brains seem wired for it, but why? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 07, 20175 min

How Does Salt Prevent Food Spoilage?

Salt has kept entire civilizations alive thanks to its abilities to preserve food and protect it from harmful germs. But how? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 06, 20173 min

Do Monkeys Have Superstitions?

We share a lot in common with monkeys, but are they just as superstitious? And could the belief in winning streaks carry an evolutionary advantage? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 05, 20173 min

What Is (and Isn't) Terrorism?

When is -- and isn't -- a crime considered terrorism? The legal, political and moral definitions are often at odds. We explore why on BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 04, 20175 min
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