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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 Is the Humboldt Ocean Current?

This cold Pacific current runs along South America's coast, creating some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Learn how it works and who it was named for in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 02, 20194 min

What's the Controversy Behind 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'?

No, it's not the lyrics -- the author of this nursery rhyme is what's in question. Learn why -- and how Henry Ford is involved -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 01, 20196 min

How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

You may have heard differing advice on how often to have your car's oil changed. Learn how to figure out what's right for you and your car in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 30, 20196 min

Were Some Viking Warriors Women?

The bones of what appears to be high-ranking Viking warrior have been proven to belong to a genetically female person. Learn the story behind this ancient grave and its occupant in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 30, 20195 min

Can All Plants Be Preserved in Seed Banks?

Seed banks ensure that in case of disaster, Earth's plant life can be regrown from stored seeds -- but it turns out that lots of plants can't withstand conventional storage. Learn how researchers are working to solve this in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 26, 20193 min

Do Truly Unselfish Acts Really Exist?

Neurologists and philosophers alike may argue that altruism doesn't exist because no act is ever completely unselfish. Learn why -- and why humans may have evolved this way -- in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 25, 20197 min

How Unlikely Is a Hole-in-One?

If golf is hard (and it is), sinking a hole-in-one seems practically impossible -- but it does happen. Learn the odds of getting a hole-in-one in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 24, 20193 min

Why Do People Plagiarize?

Everyone borrows and builds on other people's ideas, but plagiarism is outright stealing without giving credit. Learn why plagiarism hurts both parties -- and how it might be stopped -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 23, 20199 min

What Can an Image of a Black Hole Teach Us?

Researchers have rendered the first-ever image of a black hole. Learn how they did it and how it helps prove Einstein right in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 22, 20195 min

What Did NASA's Twin Study Find?

NASA has been following intercellular changes in the bodies of an astronaut and his Earth-faring twin. The results are in! Learn what they found, and what further research is needed, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 19, 20195 min

What Was the Emu War?

Following World War II, Australia became embroiled in another war -- with a population of emu. Learn how the Emu War unfolded in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 18, 20196 min

What Weird Pets Have Lived in the White House?

Dogs and cats aren't the only pets presidents have kept. Learn about some of the strangest presidential pets -- from a raccoon to alleged alligators -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 17, 20196 min

How Do Paleoartists Create Dinosaur Drawings?

Short answer: Very carefully. Learn about the history and modern practices of paleoart in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 16, 20196 min

Do Modern Cars Still Need Tuneups?

Regular tuneups can keep some car engines running safely and smoothly, but the engines of most modern cars don't need them. Learn how car maintenance has changed in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 15, 20194 min

Why Are Opossums Awesome?

They eat trash and they look a little freaky, but the North American opossum is a smart, clean, disease-fighting, and all-around fascinating creature. 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.

Apr 12, 20196 min

What If the Meteor that Helped Wipe out the Dinosaurs Had Missed Earth?

After the Chicxulub meteor hit what's now the Yucatan Peninsula about 65 million years ago, over half of the species living on Earth went extinct. Learn how prehistory may have unfolded without the Chicxulub impact in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 11, 20195 min

Are Windowless Airplanes the Future of Flight?

The view out an airplane window is one of the perks of flying, but some airlines are experimenting with windowless planes -- and advanced digital displays. Learn how these planes hope to deliver better-than-real views in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 10, 20195 min

Can a Medicine's Inactive Ingredients Be Harmful?

Though we take medicines for their active ingredients, the inactive ones can affect us, too -- from allergens to sugars to animal-based gelatin capsules. Learn how a compounding pharmacy can help 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, 20193 min

How Common Is Postpartum Depression in Dads?

Men can experience postpartum depression, too. Learn why researchers think it happens -- and why it's so important to get treatment -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 08, 20196 min

Why Is Cramming the Worst Way to Study?

Cramming for a test or other deadline may give you decent short-term results, but research shows it sacrifices long-term comprehension and memory. Learn why study methods like spacing and interleaving are better in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 05, 20195 min

How Does the Pollen Count Work?

Your local weather report may include a pollen count, but what does that mean, and how do they calculate it? Learn the science behind this sneeze factor in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 04, 20196 min

Why Don't Snakes Have Legs?

Some snakes still carry the genes necessary to grow legs -- so why don't they? Learn how snakes may have lost their legs, evolutionarily speaking, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 03, 20194 min

How Do Mail Carriers Get Their Routes?

Delivering mail to all 372 million Americans along all 214,000 postal routes is no easy task. Learn how the U.S. Postal Service designs those routes in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 02, 20196 min

What Can Babies See in the Womb?

A human fetus doesn't develop retinas until around gestational week 28. Learn how researchers have tried to figure out what babies can see in the few remaining weeks before they're born in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 01, 20195 min

Should We Retest Licensed Drivers Periodically?

Although some driving skills can deteriorate with age, experienced drivers tend to be the safest drivers. To an extent. Learn when and how experts think drivers should be retested in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 29, 20197 min

Why is Horseshoe Crab Blood So Expensive?

Horseshoe crab blood is one of the most valuable fluids on Earth due to it's ability to detects endotoxins released by bacteria. But what does this mean for the species? Learn what the future may hold for these primitive animals in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 28, 20198 min

Could California Get an Autobahn?

California legislators are considering creating speed-limit-free areas on some of their roadways. Learn how this might work (and why it might NOT work) on today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 27, 20195 min

What Is the Mandela Effect?

When many people share a false memory, that's the Mandela Effect in action -- but how does it happen? Learn how our individual brains misremember stuff and how false memories can spread in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 26, 20196 min

What Happens to Donated Blood?

After you donate blood, it goes through a complex system of testing, processing, and storage before it can be delivered to patients who need it. Learn how the system works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 25, 20195 min

What Would 'Medicare for All' Really Mean?

Some liberal U.S. politicians are promoting concepts of 'Medicare for All'. Learn how these proposals are different than the current American health care system (and how they compare to other countries' systems) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 22, 20199 min
Hosted on Omny Studio
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