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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 Liquid Smoke Work?

Liquid smoke, a flavoring used by food manufacturers and home cooks alike, is made from real, purified wood smoke. Learn how it's made in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/liquid-smoke.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 16, 20225 min

How Do Dollar Stores Make Money?

Dollar stores actually have high profit margins for charging so little per item. Learn how they work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/budgeting/dollar-store.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 14, 20228 min

BrainStuff Classics: Yes, Your Dog Wants to Help When You're Upset

Confirming what dog owners already know, new research shows that dogs really do want to help us when we're sad or upset. Learn how the experiments worked in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/your-dog-really-wants-to-help-when-youre-upset.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 13, 20223 min

BrainStuff Classics: What Happens When Hurricanes Hit Volcanoes?

In a phrase: big bada-boom. Learn how hurricanes and volcanoes intensify each other in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/storms/battle-epic-hurricane-vs-volcano.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 12, 20226 min

Why Do We Have Favorite Colors?

It's obvious that we all have color preferences, but recent research may have discovered why. Learn how the experiments worked in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/favorite-colors.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 11, 20227 min

Do the North and South Poles Have Time Zones?

Time zones are based on longitudinal lines that all intersect at the poles -- so what time is it at the North or South Pole? Learn how this tricky situation is handled in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/north-south-poles-time-zones.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 10, 20224 min

Do Rabbits Really Go Crazy in March?

Rabbits and hares have a long literary reputation for going mad in March -- which happens to be the beginning of their breeding season. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/do-rabbits-really-go-crazy-in-march.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 09, 20223 min

How Did Curse Tablets Work?

In ancient Greece and Rome, cursing foes via written tablets was sometimes wildly popular. Learn how curse tablets worked in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-traditions/curse-tablets.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 08, 20227 min

How Do Sanctions Work?

To punish foreign governments without using weaponry, the U.S. often turns to sanctions. Learn more, plus a bit about sanctions against Russia, is this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/sanctions.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 07, 20228 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Do Nutrients Get into the World's Oceans?

Phytoplankton are responsible for a lot of the oxygen we breathe, and their wellbeing is made possible by... deserts. Yes. Learn how the Sahara Desert and other dusty debris feeds our oceans in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/saharan-dust-good-bad-and-gritty.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 06, 20225 min

BrainStuff Classics: Can You Train a Bee?

Spoiler alert: Totally. Bees and other insects can learn, and thus be trained, using scents. Learn how they could sniff out everything from bombs to cancer in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/bees-can-be-trained.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 05, 20226 min

How Did Anne Bonny, Female Pirate, Work?

Unfortunately, the answer is that no one is entirely sure -- myths about pirates outnumber confirmed details. Learn what we do know about Anne Bonny and Mary Read in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/anne-bonny.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 04, 20228 min

Why Does the Sun Get Colder Closer to Its Surface?

The outer layers of the sun's atmosphere are hotter than its surface, and researchers think it might have to do with magnetohydrodynamics. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/why-sun-atmosphere-hotter-than-surface.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 03, 20224 min

How Did the Black Codes Work?

After the American Civil War, Southern governments created laws to keep freed Black people working without pay or legal recourse. Learn how the Black Codes shaped history in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-civil-war/black-codes.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 02, 20229 min

How Do Kodiak Bears Work?

This type of brown bear lives only on an Alaskan archipelago and has evolved to be one of the biggest bears in the world. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/kodiak-bear.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 01, 20226 min

How Can Wastewater Help Us Track Coronavirus?

Our poop is filled with useful information about us, including viruses like the one that causes COVID-19. Learn how researchers are using wastewater to warn communities about potential outbreaks in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/tracking-coronavirus-wastewater.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 28, 20228 min

BrainStuff Classics: What Did Our Ancestors Really Eat?

Figuring out what foods were on ancient menus can be tricky, but a mummy called Ötzi the Iceman was preserved with his last meal still intact. Learn what scientists found out about his eating habits in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/biology-fields/otzi-iceman-ate-high-fat-last-meal.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 27, 20224 min

BrainStuff Classics: Who Does the Real Magic: Magicians, or Assistants?

The gender roles of traditional stage magicians and 'lovely assistants' can seem outdated, but behind the scenes, the work has always been pretty equal. Learn how being a magician's assistant works in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/circus-arts/is-lovely-assistant-real-magician.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 26, 20226 min

What Is a Cosmic Cow?

A particularly bright light in the sky, affectionately nicknamed a 'cosmic cow', seems to be a baby black hole or neutron star. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/cosmic-cow-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 25, 20226 min

How Did a Civil Rights Photographer Become an FBI Informant?

Photographer Ernest Withers took iconic photos that helped the Civil Rights movement -- and also informed on its inner workings to the FBI. Learn more about this mystery in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/ernest-withers-civil-rights-documentary-or-informant.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 24, 20225 min

Why Didn't We Evolve to Smell Water?

OK, water is scentless, but lots of non-human animals track down sources of it with their noses. Learn why humans aren't so good at that in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolution/humans-smell-fresh-water-evolution.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 23, 20226 min

Why Does Preening Help Keep Flamingos Pink?

Flamingos work hard to keep their feathers brightly colored, inside and out. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/flamingos-pink-plumage-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 22, 20224 min

How Much Animal DNA Is in the Air?

We think of DNA being a mostly internal thing, but researchers have collected a surprising amount of animal DNA from thin air. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/edna-suck-thin-air-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 21, 20226 min

BrainStuff Classics: Why Is Head Scratching a Gesture of Thought?

Some gesticulations come naturally -- scratching your head when you're thinking is so common that it's basically a cliche. But why? Learn what researchers have to say in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/why-do-scratch-heads-when-were-thinking.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 20, 20224 min

BrainStuff Classics: Can We Make Roads Out of Recycled Plastic?

Plastics clog our ecosystems and our roads need maintenance -- could fixing one problem help solve the other? Learn how researchers are recycling plastics into useful materials in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/recycled-plastic-waste-creates-roads.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 19, 20226 min

Can Winter Athletes Tell Real Snow from Fake Snow?

The 2022 Winter Olympics are the first to use primarily artificial snow in outdoor games like skiing and snowboarding. Learn how athletes compensate for the difference in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/snow-sports/difference-between-fake-snow-real.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 18, 20224 min

Why Do We Fall in Love?

The set of emotions we call 'love' is both a psychological phenomenon and a societal construct. Learn more about how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/love/why-do-we-fall-in-love.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 17, 20226 min

How Did Bass Reeves Work?

Bass Reeves was one of the first Black deputy marshals in the Old West, and one of the most successful. Learn more about him in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/bass-reeves.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 16, 20229 min

Muffin, Bagel, Doughnut: What's the Best Choice?

Three of the most popular to-go breakfast foods in the U.S. don't necessarily serve as the best nutritional start to your day. Learn which may keep you going the longest in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/bagel-muffin-doughnut.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 15, 20225 min

How Do Some Squirrels Gain Muscle During Hibernation?

Humans lose muscle when we don't use it, but squirrels can gain muscle during winter hibernation -- thanks to their gut bacteria. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/squirrels-get-jacked-during-hibernation-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 14, 20224 min
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