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BrainStuff

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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

Should the U.S. Switch to Permanent Daylight Savings Time?

Switching to Daylight Savings Time gives us an extra hour of sunlight in the evenings during Spring and Summer months -- but is it helpful or hazardous? Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/permanent-daylight-saving-time-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 25, 20229 min

BrainStuff Classics: Does Playing with Toy Guns Lead to Violent Behavior?

Some parents and advocacy groups recommend against allowing children to play with toys that resemble weapons. But is there any science to back that up? Learn about play, parenting, and aggression in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/behavior/playing-with-toy-guns-lead-to-actual-gun-violence.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 24, 20227 min

BrainStuff Classics: What's the History of Lemonade?

Who were the first people to drink lemonade? How did it turn pink? Learn the folklore behind lemonade in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/what-is-history-lemonade.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 23, 20226 min

Where Did the Phonetic Alphabet Come From?

As audio technology developed during the 1900s, people realized that they needed a clearer way to communicate terms than spelling them out in the normal alphabet. Learn how the NATO phonetic alphabet (Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, etc.) came to be in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/phonetic-alphabet.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 22, 20224 min

How Does Baker's Yeast Work?

The magic microbe that makes bread rise and beer alcoholic is yeast -- often, the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Learn how it works in this episode of BrianStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/yeast.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 21, 20227 min

How Did Bessie Coleman Work?

In 1921, Bessie Coleman became the first Black American woman to earn a pilot's license. Learn about her life and legacy in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/classic/bessie-coleman.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 20, 20227 min

Are Humans Really Worse at Smelling than Dogs?

The idea that humans have a worse sense of smell than other animals is a pervasive myth. Learn the reality in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/nose-throat/human-sense-smell-good-as-dog.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 18, 20225 min

BrainStuff Classics: Should You Really Take Fish Oil Pills?

Conventional wisdom has long said fish oil pills are a great nutritional boost, but recent research shows they don't have the cardiovascular benefits we once thought. Learn who should still consider taking them in this episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 17, 20226 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Can Squid 'Speak' With Their Skin?

Squid can communicate via patterns they flash on their skin, and the way they create those patterns is stranger than anyone thought. Learn what researchers are learning about it in this episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 16, 20226 min

What's the Most Americans Have Paid for Gasoline?

Gas prices have been high recently in the U.S., but the national average has gone higher (once you account for inflation). Learn how gas pricing works in the U.S. and around the world in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-consumption/highest-gas-payment.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 15, 20228 min

How Does Earth's Pulse Work?

Yes, Earth has a pulse: peaks of geologic activity that occur every 27.5 million years, and herald mass extinctions. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/earths-pulse.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 15, 20225 min

Why Didn't Russia Sell Alaska to Canada?

In 1867, Russia sold the territory of Alaska to the United States -- a perhaps confusing move, given that Canada was right next door. Learn how it happened in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/why-didnt-russia-sell-alaska-to-canada.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 14, 20227 min

How Can Hay Fever Cause Food Allergies?

It turns out that compounds in some raw fruits and vegetables mimic the compounds that cause seasonal allergies, and thus make you itchy when you eat them. Learn more about oral allergy syndrome in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/allergies/food-allergy/information/hay-fever-allergic-fruits.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 12, 20224 min

How Does Dolores Huerta Work?

In the 1960s, Dolores Huerta worked alongside Cesar Chavez to create the United Farm Workers union and organize for farmworkers' rights across America. Learn more about her legacy and continuing work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/dolores-huerta.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 11, 20229 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Bad Is It to Run Your Car on Empty?

Your car's empty-tank light can sneak up on you, and it's easy to put off filling up for another day. But are you damaging your car when you do? Learn why it's not good to run your car on empty in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-economy/is-it-bad-to-drive-car-with-nearly-empty-gas-tank.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 10, 20224 min

BrainStuff Classics: Do Doctors' Biases Affect Health Care?

Implicit biases change the way we act without us even realizing it, and doctors aren't immune. Learn how we can identify and change our unconscious biases in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/healthcare/doctors-biases-health-care.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 09, 20226 min

How Does Plutonium Work?

Plutonium may be as misunderstood as it is useful -- and potentially dangerous. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/plutonium.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 09, 20227 min

Can the U.S. Cut Dependence on Foreign Oil?

The United States produces a lot of oil, but we also import (and use) a lot. Learn why oil independence isn't on the horizon yet in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/cut-dependence-foreign-oil.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 08, 20226 min

How Old Are Grocery Store Apples?

The apples you find in your chain grocery store may have been picked a year ago -- but that's OK. Learn about apple storage technology in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/grocery-store-apple-one-year-old.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 06, 20226 min

How Did One Woman Change the FDA's Drug Approval Process?

When FDA employee Frances Kelsey called for caution regarding the drug thalidomide in the 1960s, she wound up saving babies and changing FDA guidelines as we know them. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/frances-kelsey-thalidomide.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 05, 20227 min

How Does the Museum of Failure Work?

From Google Glass to Crystal Pepsi, the Museum of Failure celebrates the spirit of innovation behind flops and failures. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/destinations/landmarks/museums-tours/museum-failure.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 04, 20227 min

Are Wolves Smarter Than Dogs?

Intelligence is tricky to define, but research has shown that wolves understand cause and effect where dogs don't. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/wolves-are-smarter-than-dogs.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 21, 20224 min

Why Do Books Smell So Good?

Researchers have set out to catalog the scent compounds that make books and libraries smell so welcoming. Learn how in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/odor-wheel-smell-old-books.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 20, 20224 min

BrainStuff Classics: Is Hangry a Real Emotion?

If you've ever had to apologize for what you said when you were hungry, you may be comforted to know that hanger is real. Learn what causes is -- and how you can stop or even prevent it -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/is-hanger-real-emotion.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 19, 20225 min

What Is the Longest Worm in the World?

The bootlace worm, Lineus longissimus, is as thin as a pencil but can grow as long as a blue whale. Learn about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/bootlace-worm.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 17, 20227 min

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
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