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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.

Episodes

How Does Racketeering Work?

Racketeering is a type of crime that can be difficult to prosecute because the people at the top don't get their hands dirty. Learn how rackets and RICO work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/racketeering.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 05, 20218 min

How Can an Animal Breathe Without Oxygen?

Animals need oxygen in order to live -- or so we thought. Learn about a tiny parasite that evolved to do without it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/animal-doesnt-need-oxygen.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 04, 20216 min

Why Are Airbnb, VRBO Fees Skyrocketing?

If you've tried to rent a vacation spot through services like Airbnb in the past year, you may have felt blindsided by the final fee tally. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/airbnb-vrbo-prices-skyrocketed-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 03, 20217 min

How Do Box Jellyfish Work?

Box jellyfish may look ethereal (or a little goofy), but they're some of the most dangerous animals in the world. Learn more about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/box-jellyfish.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 02, 20216 min

BrainStuff Classics: What Are the Most-Believed Myths About Our Brains?

Over-simplifications about how our brains work abound. Learn what these myths are, and why it's important to fight them, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/even-educators-believe-common-myths-about-learning-study-shows.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 01, 20215 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Do City Birds Benefit from Cigarette Butts?

Birds everywhere add insect-repelling plants to their nests, but urban birds have to get a little creative. Learn how cigarette butts help city birds stay healthy in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/urban-birds-oust-bugs-with-butts.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 31, 20213 min

How Has the U.S. Prevented Citizens from Voting?

Both throughout American history and today, governments and other groups have made it more difficult for particular people to vote. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/10-ways-us-has-kept-citizens-from-voting.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 30, 20219 min

How Do Astronauts Sleep in Space?

Sleep can be elusive here on Earth, so how do astronauts manage it in space? Learn what it takes in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/sleep-in-space.htm/printable Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 29, 20216 min

What Is the World's Largest Bee?

Wallace's giant bee is rarely sighted, but is five times the size of the honeybees we're familiar with. Learn more about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/wallaces-giant-bee-worlds-largest-rediscovered.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 28, 20214 min

How Does Ransomware Work?

Ransomeware attacks have been targeting larger organizations with more to lose if they don't pay up. Learn how these attacks work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/ransomware-attacks-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 27, 20218 min

Why Are Pistachios Sold in Their Shells?

Unlike many other nuts, pistachios are often sold roasted and seasoned in their shells. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/why-pistachios-are-sold-in-their-shells.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 26, 20215 min

BrainStuff Classics: Will Ants Rescue Wounded Comrades?

Spoiler alert: Yep! Well, sometimes. Learn how one African ant species nurses its wounded soldiers, yielding a surprising survival rate, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/ants-rescue-treat-wounded-comrades.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 25, 20213 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Does Chinese Five Spice Work?

Chinese 5-spice powder can contain a lot of things (including more than five spices), but it's all rooted in ancient medicine and philosophy. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/chinese-five-spice-powder-tasty-and-not-necessarily-five-spices.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 24, 20215 min

How Far Can a Plane Glide Without Engines?

It's rare that all of a plane's engines fail, but when they do, a pilot can still glide the aircraft to a safe landing. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/how-far-can-plane-go-no-engines.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 23, 20216 min

Why Are We So Obsessed with Owls?

These nocturnal feathered predators have been capturing our imaginations for millennia. Learn about how owls work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/owls.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 22, 20216 min

Why Is There a Semiconductor Shortage?

A shortage of microchips is driving up the cost of everything from consumer electronics to used cars. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/semiconductor-shortage-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 21, 20218 min

How Did Earth Gain a New Ocean?

After much debate, the world officially has a fifth ocean: the Southern Ocean, surrounding Antarctica. Learn about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/southern-ocean-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 20, 20214 min

How Bad Is America's Infrastructure?

Infrastructure -- all the pipes, roads, rails, and everything else that makes civilization work -- must be maintained and replaced as it ages. Learn how the U.S. ranks in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/americas-infrastructure-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 19, 20219 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Did Nuclear Weapons Testing Create New Minerals?

The heat of nuclear weapons is enough to melt sand into glass. Learn the story of trinitite, the glass from the first atomic test site, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/trinitite-first-nuclear-bomb-turned-sand-to-glass.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 18, 20214 min

BrainStuff Classics: Can Talking About Yourself in the Third Person Make You Feel Better?

It turns out that people who talk about themselves in the third person may be giving themselves a mental boost. ("You're nailing this episode description, Lauren!") Learn why in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/benefits-talking-like-egomaniac.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 17, 20216 min

Are Bug Zappers a Bad Idea?

It turns out that bug zappers are too effective -- they kill a lot of helpful insects along with the pests they target. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/conservation/issues/bug-zappers-are-bad-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 16, 20214 min

Will Sharks Die If They Stop Moving?

It's true that some sharks breathe most easily when they're swimming, but that doesn't mean they can't find ways to rest. Learn about buccal pumping, ram ventilation, and more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/sharks/shark-drown.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 15, 20217 min

How Does Bastille Day Work?

This French national holiday celebrates a lot more than the Storming of the Bastille. Learn about le Quatorze Juillet (July 14th) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-other/bastille-day.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 14, 20216 min

What Animals Are the Deadliest in the Wild?

The animals that kill the most people every year aren't the ones featured in scary movies or sensational documentaries. Learn about the world's most dangerous animals in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/dangerous-animals.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 13, 20216 min

Is Paul Bunyan Based on a Real Person?

Tall tales about the logger Paul Bunyan and his big blue ox, Babe, are American classics. Learn about the real people they're based on and how they got so popular in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/real-paul-bunyan.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 12, 20216 min

BrainStuff Classics: Do Happy Cows Really Make Better Milk?

OK, 'happy' is a stretch, but researchers are looking into how cows given positive interactions (like back scritches) grow and produce milk versus less-content cows. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 11, 20215 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Can Your Birth Season Determine Your Allergies?

The season you were born in helps determine whether you'll have allergies, but science has never understood why. Learn what a team of researchers discovered in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 10, 20215 min

How Much Money Is There in the World?

With all the different types of currency in the world, it's nigh impossible to count it all -- but there are estimates. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/how-much-money-is-in-the-world.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 09, 20216 min

What's the Difference Between Brown and Black Bears?

Black and brown bears are two different species, and they're easy to tell apart -- from a safe distance, even. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/brown-bear.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 08, 20216 min

How Do Coronavirus Variants Work?

Mutations of the virus that causes COVID-19, called variants, can be even more dangerous than the original. Learn about delta and other SARS-CoV-2 variants in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/infectious/delta-variant-coronavirus-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 07, 20219 min
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