These birds of prey are one of the fastest animals in the world -- engineers study them to make airplanes more aerodynamic. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/peregrine-falcons-are-one-fastest-animals-alive.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do you knock on wood or avoid particular numbers? People around the world adhere to superstitions to attempt to change their luck -- and some of those superstitions are remarkably similar. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/superstitions-universal-across-cultures.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dogs’ noses are often wet, but why? And does a dry nose mean your pup is sick? Learn what science has to say about dogs’ noses in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/why-do-dogs-have-wet-noses.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you've ever found yourself swept up in a wave of sadness or anger during, say, Pigeon Pose, you're not alone. Learn more about what we know and don't know about yoga's effects on emotions in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/yoga/yoga-makes-people-super-emotional-why.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There used to be safety concerns about some compounds used to flavor popcorn (diacetyl) and to grease-proof microwaveable bags (PFCs). They're mostly not used anymore, but making your own popcorn might still be safer. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/popcorn-lung.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharks can be hatched from eggs, born live, or hatched in the womb and then born live -- if their siblings don't eat them first. Learn about shark reproduction and birth in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/sharks/shark-pup.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When we mean that someone has not quite succeeded, what do cigars have to do with it? Learn the carnival roots of this idiom in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/close-but-no-cigar.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Libraries are bastions of knowledge -- but are they also bastions of germs? Short answer: Nope! For the long answer, tune in to this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/used-books-may-be-germy-but-wont-make-you-sick.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You've seen the trope: a character strains their psychic powers and gets a nosebleed to show for it. But would this actually happen if psychic powers were real? Learn the hypothetical science in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/extrasensory-perceptions/psychic-nosebleed-powers-really-happen.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ravens and crows are both large black birds with mythic reputations, but they're easy to tell apart once you know the differences between them. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/american-crows-and-ravens-whats-difference.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
British royals and lots of the world's other prominent families hire their nannies out of one century-old school: Norland College. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/european-history/norland-college-royal-nannies.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Although it's much more common in women, men get breast cancer, too -- it's not abnormal because we're all mammals, and we all have some amount of breast tissue. Learn about the symptoms and treatments in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/cancer/breast/men-breast-cancer.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Gadsden flag -- with its coiled rattlesnake on a bright yellow field and the words 'don't tread on me' -- has symbolic roots stretching back before the American Revolution. Learn its history in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/revolutionary-war/dont-tread-on-me-flag.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rhodium's rarity, industrial usefulness, and straight-up shininess make it one of the most expensive metals on Earth. Learn how it was discovered and more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/rhodium.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The modern image of the elegant, gentle unicorn is a relatively recent invention. Learn about the history of unicorn myths and legends in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/strange-creatures/unicorn-in-history.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We've teamed up with the podcast On the Job to bring you a preview of episode 8: The Tears and Tenacity of A Clown. Brandon Dunn was born into rodeo royalty. And for twenty years he fulfilled his destiny -- until a tragic car accident ended his career. Or nearly ended it. Brandon tells his story of loss and rehabilitation, and welcomes us into the fascinating world of rodeo clowning. Check out Brandon in action here: http://www.roblittle.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
OK, it's not a literal highway, but the Cocos-Galapagos Swimway is a proposed safety zone for sea turtles and other animals to migrate. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/cocos-galapagos-superhighway.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You won't find the word 'popsicle' on the packaging for some ice pops -- instead, they're called 'quiescently frozen confections'. Learn why this sciencey term is used instead of the more simple one in today's refreshed episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Toucans' beautiful bills have made them popular in selling everything from breakfast cereal to democracy, but those beaks have a number of other uses. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/toucan.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Although it's not universal, a sprinkle of sea salt atop a chocolate chip cookie can make a simple snack transcendent. Learn why our brains dig the combination of salty and sweet in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/sweet-and-salty-taste-good.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Samuel Morse's ingeniously simple code of timed pulses has gone far beyond its original use on telegraph lines to help people communicate in all kinds of media for over a century. Learn more about Morse and his code in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/morse-code.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We've teamed up with the podcast On the Job to bring you a preview of episode 7: Torque Wrenches Are This Girl's Best Friend. Demeny Pollitt is an automotive technician and the founder of Girlington Garage, a woman-run auto garage in South Burlington, Vermont. In operation since 2009, Pollitt’s business has not only survived, but thrived. Ms. Pollitt talks about taking the leap to entrepreneurship, entering a male dominated industry, and the joys/challenges of business ownership. Website See omn...
It's an unpleasant health issue: If your microbiome is off in just the wrong way, your guts can get you drunk without consuming a drop of alcohol. Learn about auto-brewery syndrome in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/digestive/brewing-beer-in-belly.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oysters (and a few other shellfish) create beautiful pearls as a sort of bodily defense mechanism. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/question630.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A battle between two brothers created the second- and third-largest sneaker companies in the world. Learn the story of the brothers Dassler in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/family-feud-that-spawned-adidas-and-puma.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We've teamed up with the podcast On the Job to bring you a preview of episode 6: Objective Unlocked! Finding work in this economy doesn't have to be arduous. Tune in to hear from Olivia, an Express Employment Professionals Employment Specialist-turned-Operations Manager and one of her Associates, Leon, who she's helped place, to find out how the process has impacted both of their lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Even if we don't do it on purpose (which some people do!), all of us eat at least a little dirt every year due to accidental ingestion. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/how-much-dirt-eat-year.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the U.S. Coast Guard, a special group called aviation survival technicians train to rescue civilians from harrowing situations by jumping out of helicopters. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/rescue-swimmers.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Antidepressants of all kinds help save and improve lives, but many SSRIs carry warnings that they may increase suicidal thoughts, especially in young patients. Learn why it's worth the risk and the conversation in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/modern-treatments/antidepressants-warnings-suicidal-thoughts.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Besides weird. Or, including weird? Learn some of the strangest features of sea cucumbers in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/sea-cucumber-animal-or-vegetable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
