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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.

Episodes

How Does Doomscrolling Work?

Social media is designed to keep you scrolling -- but too much negative news can be, well, too much. Learn why we doomscroll and how you can stop in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/networks/doomscrolling.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 06, 20227 min

How Did Vikings' Gut Worms Create Today's Lung Disease?

Intestinal parasites that plagued our ancestors seem to have led to a genetic adaptation that's causing emphysema and COPD today. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/respiratory/viking-toilet-investigation-emphysema.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 06, 20224 min

BrainStuff Classics: Who Is The Laughing Buddha?

Statues of this jolly fellow adorn the register counters of many restaurants -- but he's not the Buddha. Learn about this Buddhist deity in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/that-fat-jolly-fella-isnt-buddha.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 04, 20225 min

BrainStuff Classics: Why Is Alzheimers's So Difficult to Treat?

Despite being a widespread condition, Alzheimer's is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Learn why (plus how researchers hope to make it easier) in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/dementia/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-cure-for-alzheimers.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 03, 20226 min

How Can Turning Lights Off Save Birds?

During fall and spring migrations, building lights can confuse birds, causing deadly crashes. Learn how Lights Out programs are helping in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/lights-out-program-birds.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 02, 20225 min

How Do Kangaroos' Pouches Work?

Baby kangaroos live in their mother's pouch for months after birth, and return sometimes even after they're mobile. Learn why, plus what it's like in there, in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/kangaroo-pouch.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 01, 20224 min

How Does Ectopic Pregnancy Work?

Up to 1 in every 50 pregnancies are ectopic -- that is, they implant outside the uterus and cannot be saved. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and confusion surrounding this common issue in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/complications/10009-what-is-an-ectopic-pregnancy.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 31, 20229 min

Why Does the Fed Change the Interest Rate?

The U.S. Federal Reserve is responsible for keeping the country's economy running smoothly. Learn why interest rate changes are one of the Fed's tools in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/fed-change-interest-rate.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 30, 20227 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Do Migrating Birds Navigate?

Birds can migrate thousands of miles and back home again with no prior knowledge or assistance thanks to their superpowered vision. Learn about magnetoreception in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 28, 20224 min

What Size Lottery Jackpot Makes People Play?

There's a tipping point at which even lottery skeptics buy tickets for a big jackpot -- and lottery companies bank on it. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/behavior/powerball-tipping-point-what-size-jackpot-makes-you-play.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 27, 20225 min

How Does Monkeypox Work?

Public health organizations around the world are trying to control this year's outbreaks of monkeypox with vaccination programs. Learn about monkeypox and its vaccines in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/respiratory/monkeypox.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 26, 20228 min

Project Acoustic Kitty: How Did the CIA Make a Cat a Spy?

In the 1960s, the U.S. Central Intellience Agency tried to turn a cat into a cyborg secret agent with implanted audio equipment. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/acoustic-kitty.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 25, 20225 min

How Do Robot Umpires Work?

Some of baseball's minor leagues are already using tech called the automated ball-strike system to help human umpires call pitches more accurately. Learn about these so-called robo-umpires in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/robot-umpires-baseball-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 24, 20225 min

Why Are Giant Land Snails Invading Florida Again?

Snails the size of your fist are invading central Florida. Learn how this invasive species works in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/giant-african-land-snails-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 15, 20225 min

BrainStuff Classics: Are Artists Hardwired To Be Poor?

Research shows that artists' brains don't respond to monetary motivation the way that other people's do. Learn why this might be -- and whether it means we creative types are doomed to poverty -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/perception/are-artists-hardwired-for-poverty.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 14, 20224 min

BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Hydrogen Peroxide Bottles Brown?

Most hydrogen peroxide sold to consumers comes in opaque brown bottles. Learn why in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/why-does-hydrogen-peroxide-come-in-brown-bottle.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 13, 20223 min

Why Do Female Songbirds Sing?

Most scientific inquiry into birdsong has studied male birds because they're sometimes chattier. Learn what studying female birds might teach us in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/know-why-female-bird-sings.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 12, 20225 min

How Did a Grudge Match Between States Create the U.S. Constitution?

The American Constitution was a hard-fought compromise between states with large and small populations. Learn about the New Jersey Plan vs. the Virgina Plan in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/virginia-plan-vs-new-jersey-plan.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 11, 20227 min

How Does the Zoo Hypothesis Work?

What if we haven't made alien contact because they're keeping Earth like a zoo? It may be unlikely, but learn about the zoo hypothesis in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/space/aliens-ufos/zoo-hypothesis.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 10, 20226 min

How Do Cooling Fabrics Work?

Some clothing and bedding is advertised as 'cooling,' but what does that mean? Do they really work? Learn about how some fabrics can cool you down in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/cooling-fabrics.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 09, 20225 min

How Does Lyme Disease Work?

Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria spread by ticks, is very treatable when caught early. Learn the symptoms and how to prevent it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/infectious/lyme-disease.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 08, 20228 min

BrainStuff Classics: How Does Anxiety Cause Underarm Sweat?

Anxiety can cause sweaty palms and armpits -- but why? And how can you combat it? Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/anxiety-cause-underarm-sweat.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 30, 20223 min

What Does Space Smell Like?

Astronauts report that our little corner of space has a particular scent. Learn what might cause this in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/space-smell.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 29, 20225 min

How Were Pregnancy Tests Invented?

Humans have been using urine to test for pregnancy for thousands of years -- with the help of wheat, barley, rabbits, and frogs. Learn how reliable home tests became available in 1978 thanks to immunoassay technology in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/conception/rabbit-pregnancy.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 28, 20229 min

What Colors Can Dogs See?

Dogs have eyes that are primed to see motion better than color, but they're not colorblind. Learn more about dogs' vision in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/are-dogs-colorblind.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 27, 20223 min

How Could Smart Traffic Lights Work?

What if traffic lights could adjust for the actual flow of traffic happening at any given moment? Learn how smart, networked technology could help drivers (and pedestrians) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/smart-traffic-lights-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 26, 20227 min

Why Do Watermelons Explode Sometimes?

Sure, you can get a watermelon to burst by squeezing it with rubber bands, but sometimes this fruit explodes all on its own. Learn how microbes and genetics are responsible in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/exploding-watermelon.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 25, 20225 min

How Do Insect Hotels Work?

Insect populations are in trouble, but creating shelters for them could help. Learn the basics of building an insect hotel in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/insect-hotel.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 11, 20224 min

BrainStuff Classics: Can Your Face's Temperature Reveal Your Mood?

Research shows that parts of a person's face grow cooler depending on their mood and stress level. Could this be used to help people in stressful jobs, like pilots? Learn more in this classic BrainStuff episode, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/nervous-system/concentration-makes-face-grow-cooler.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 10, 20226 min

How Does Human Conception Work?

On a cellular level, a lot goes on from ovulation through the first stages of pregnancy. Learn about the biology of fertilization and implantation in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/conception/conception-process.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 09, 202210 min
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