BrainStuff - podcast cover

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.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

BrainStuff Classics: 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.

Dec 05, 20206 min

How Could COVID-19 Vaccines Change the World?

Obviously, vaccines for the coronavirus that's causing this pandemic would help life get back to normal -- but their development is also set to improve the way we make all vaccines. 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.

Dec 04, 202011 min

Why Do Kangaroos Hop?

Kangaroos put an enormous amount of power into every hop -- and conserve energy in the process. Learn how they do it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 03, 20206 min

What Is the McRib Made Of?

McDonald's McRib sandwich has a cult following -- but what's it actually made of? Learn about the history and composition of the McRib in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 02, 20204 min

Why Is It So Hard to Remember What Day It Is?

If you get the days of the week mixed up, you're not alone. Learn about the psychology of Tuesday in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 01, 20204 min

What's the White Stuff in Soil Mixes?

Potting soil often contains perlite, which is a type of volcanic rock that helps keep soil light and airy. 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.

Nov 30, 20206 min

BrainStuff Classics: 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 classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 29, 20204 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Long Have We Been Keeping Dogs on Leashes?

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

Nov 28, 20204 min

Did the Native American Great Law of Peace Inspire the U.S. Constitution?

The writers of the U.S. Constitution were, in part, influenced by the confederation of Native American nations called the Haudenosaunee (or the Iroquois). Learn about the Haudenosaunee Great Law in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 27, 20206 min

Where Did Pumpkin Pie Come From?

Sure it's tasty, but how exactly did spiced squash in a pie crust become part of American holiday celebrations? Learn about the history of pumpkin pie in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 26, 20206 min

What's Really in the Flu Vaccine?

There are lots of rumors about potentially harmful ingredients in vaccines, but once you understand what those ingredients are and how little are used in vaccines, it's easy to see why vaccines are safe. 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.

Nov 25, 20209 min

How Does the Maillard Reaction Make Food Tastier?

The Maillard reaction gives foods from toast to coffee to seared steak some of their flavors. 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.

Nov 24, 20204 min

Who's the Only Woman to Receive a Medal of Honor?

After the Civil War, surgeon Mary Edwards Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor for her service. Learn her story in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 23, 20208 min

BrainStuff Classics: Is There Another Reason You Shouldn't Eat Raw Cookie Dough?

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 classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 22, 20203 min

BrainStuff Classics: 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? Learn how our brains seem wired for it in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 21, 20205 min

How Has 'A Wrinkle in Time' Inspired Real Scientists?

The story 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeline L'Engle has been inspiring young scientists for generations. We spoke with three for this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 20, 20206 min

Why Is It So Difficult to Overturn a Guilty Verdict?

Sometimes innocent people wind up in prison, and even if genetic evidence comes to light, it can still take years (and a lot of money) to secure their freedom. Learn how the Innocence Project helps in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 19, 20209 min

Should We All Be in the Same Time Zone?

Time zones sometimes seem to cause more confusion than they fix. Learn how they came about -- and why some researchers want to get rid of them -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 18, 20207 min

Why Would We Need Artificial Gravity in Space?

Long-term space missions would need to figure out a way to create artificial gravity for their astronauts. Learn why -- and how it may be possible -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 17, 20208 min

What Are the Differences Between COVID-19 and the Flu?

Symptoms of influenza and the novel coronavirus are fairly similar, but there are a few key differences you should look for -- and each should be treated a little differently. 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.

Nov 16, 20206 min

BrainStuff Classics: Is There a Real Witches' Curse in 'Macbeth'?

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

Nov 15, 20204 min

BrainStuff Classics: 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 classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 14, 20204 min

Why Did Bootleggers Once Smuggle Margarine?

Due in large part to pressure from the diary industry, margarine was once outlawed in Canada and parts of the United States. Learn more about the Oleo Wars in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 13, 20205 min

What Is the World's Longest-Living Vertebrate?

Spoiler alert: There are Greenland sharks alive today that were likely born in the 1600s. Learn more about these fascinating sharks in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 12, 20207 min

How Does the Nitrogen Cycle Work?

Living things need nitrogen in order for our cells to function, and there's plenty in the air, but it's impossible for most of us to access. Learn how the nitrogen cycle brings it to us in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 11, 20205 min

How Big Was Giganatosaurus?

Giganatosaurus is one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs that ever lived, rivaling the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex. Learn more about these dinos in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 10, 20206 min

What's the Difference Between Gold and Pyrite?

Pyrite is often called fool's gold, but it's easy to tell the two apart if you know what to look for. Learn more about these two minerals in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 09, 20206 min

BrainStuff Classics: 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.

Nov 08, 20205 min

BrainStuff Classics: Are Other Animals Superstitious?

Humans have all kinds of superstitious beliefs -- so are other animals superstitious, too? Learn more about superstition works in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 07, 20203 min

How Is 1968's Poor People's Campaign Reviving Today?

In the 1960s, civil rights leaders organized the Poor People's Campaign to bring awareness and change to economic injustices in the United States. Learn how it began and how it's being revived today in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 06, 20208 min
Hosted on Omny Studio
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android