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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

How Common Is Depression?

This question is surprisingly difficult answer, in no small part due to the stigma against discussing mental health. Learn about researchers' best estimates for the prevalence of depression around the world and in the U.S. in this episode of BrainStuff, with material from this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/depression/facts/depression.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 10, 20249 min

How Does Jupiter Work?

The largest planet in our solar system has the shortest days, at least 95 moons, a few faint rings, and mysteries to boot. Learn more about Jupiter in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/46003-jupiter-explained.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 09, 202410 min

BrainStuff Classics: Skim Versus Whole Milk: Which Spoils Faster?

Some food safety charts claim that whole milk goes off more quickly than skim milk, but the scientific evidence is mixed. Learn more about milk science in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/dairy/does-whole-milk-spoil-faster-than-skim-milk.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 29, 20245 min

BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Scorpions Glow Under Black Light?

Scorpions light up a glowing green under ultraviolet light. Science isn't entirely sure how but has a few theories on why. (Y'know, aside from "Scorpions are metal.") Learn more about scorpions' fluorescence in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/arachnids/why-scorpions-glow-under-black-light.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 28, 20244 min

How Have Hispanic Scientists Changed the World?

From particle physics to immunology to the ozone layer, these six scientists from the Spanish-speaking Americas redefined their disciplines with their work. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/famous-scientists/physicists/10-hispanic-scientists.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 27, 202411 min

Could We Resurrect the Dodo?

The dodo was the first animal that we watched go extinct due to human intervention -- could it be the first animal we bring back? Learn more about the dodo and de-extinction in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/extinct-animals/dodo.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 26, 20249 min

What Do We Know (and Not Know) About Depression?

Depression is a common condition, and highly treatable, but there's still a lot we don't understand about how it works. Learn about depression's probable causes, usual symptoms, and effective treatments in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/depression/facts/depression.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 25, 202410 min

Should There Be Age Limits on the U.S. Presidency?

To be eligible to be elected president of the United States, you have to be at least 35 years old. But why 35? And why is there no upper age limit? Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/us-millennials-under-35-age-limit-president.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 24, 20247 min

Who Invented Doughnuts?

Doughnuts have been around in some form for thousands of years, but a lot had to happen to make them the near-ubiquitous snack they are today. Learn about the history of doughnuts in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/5-things-didn-t-know-about-doughnuts.htm; https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/ridiculous-history-vitamin-donuts.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 10, 20247 min

How Can Owls Fly So Quietly?

Owls' ability to fly almost silently gives them an air of mystery, but the science is in their wings and feathers. Learn how they do it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/owl-fly-silently.htm/printable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 09, 20245 min

How Did Calamity Jane Work?

Calamity Jane has a reputation for being one of the wildest women in the Old West, but it's hard to separate historical fact from fiction. Learn more about this sharp-shooting adventurer in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/calamity-jane.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 06, 20247 min

What Is the Pacific Ring of Fire?

The Ring of Fire is a loop around the Pacific Ocean that's a literal hotbed of volcanoes, earthquakes, hydrothermal vents, and other geologic activity. Learn how the interactions among tectonic plates cause all this mayhem in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/ring-of-fire.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 05, 20248 min

How Did the Arc de Triomphe Become a Parisian Icon?

In a bustling plaza in the heart of Paris, Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned the Arc de Triomphe as a monument to his victories -- but he didn't live to see it completed. Learn more about its history in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/architecture/arc-de-triomphe.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 02, 20245 min

How Did Pretty Boy Floyd Become Public Enemy No. 1?

Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd was a fairly common criminal until he got involved in shootout with federal agents in 1933. Learn about his life and crimes in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/pretty-boy-floyd.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 30, 20248 min

Why Are People Mean on the Internet?

It's not just malice -- there are several psychological reasons why people get so mean and angry online. Learn what experts say (and how to stop the cycle) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/psychological-reason-mean-on-internet.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 29, 20248 min

How Does the Pink Fairy Armadillo Work?

The pink fairy armadillo looks like a fantasy illustration and is so elusive that it's practically mythical. Learn what we know (and don't know) about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/pink-fairy-armadillo.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 28, 20245 min

How Do the Three Branches of the U.S. Government Work (Or Not Work) Together?

America's founders created the three branches of the government -- executive, legislative, and judicial -- to check and balance each other. Learn how the system struggles and works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/three-branches-government.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 19, 202413 min

BrainStuff Classics: Will Saturn's Rings Last Forever?

Short answer: Nope! As it turns out, Saturn's rings are fairly new, and they'll only be around a while longer. Relatively speaking. Learn how researchers discovered this in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/saturns-rings-blip-in-time.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 18, 20246 min

BrainStuff Classics: Do Whales Have Pop Songs?

Whale songs are eerie, beautiful, and -- as it turns out -- completely on-trend. Learn how humpback whales share tunes among herds in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/humpback-whales-start-new-songs-old-too-complex.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 17, 20243 min

How Did the Internet Get Its Start?

The internet is a daily fixture in our lives, and it all started with the diligent work of Department of Defense-funded researchers in the 1960s. Learn how ARPANET bloomed into the internet as we know it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/internet-start.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 16, 20247 min

What Does It Mean When Art Is Public Domain?

Every year on January 1, a new batch of movies, books, songs, and other works of art enters the public domain, meaning they're free to use and repurpose. (In 2024, after 95 years of copyright, we got the original Mickey Mouse cartoon, 'Steamboat Willy'.) Learn how public domain and copyright law intersect to encourage artists in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/what-does-public-domain-mean.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 15, 202412 min

How Do Pelicans Work?

Pelicans use their huge gular pouch to easily scoop up fish in water but consume only the fish. Learn more about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/pelican-bill-vs-belly.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 14, 20248 min

How Can You Prepare for a Hurricane?

Having a plan in place when a hurricane approaches can help keep you safe -- and take some of the stress out of these scary storms. Learn the basics of hurricane preparedness in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/prepare-for-hurricane.htm Go to Ready.gov for more info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 13, 20249 min

How Was the Barbie Doll Invented?

Barbie is an American icon now -- but she wasn't an instant success, and she actually has roots in a slightly ribald German cartoon from the 1950s. Learn how Ruth Handler made Barbie a phenomenon in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/barbie-history.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 12, 20249 min

How Does the Blue-Tongued Skink Work?

These blue-tongued lizards look like snakes with stubby legs -- and that's just one feature they use to make predators think they're more dangerous than they are. Learn more (including why they can make great pets for an experienced owner) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/blue-tongued-skink.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 30, 20247 min

How Can Forest Fires Be Beneficial?

Although wildfires can be scary, serious disasters, forests and the animals that inhabit them can actually benefit from fires. Learn how controlled burns work and why they help wildlife in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/how-forest-fire-benefit-living-things-.htm/printable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 29, 20247 min

BrainStuff Classics: What Is Light?

Is light a particle or a wave? Or both? Or neither? Learn how humans have defined light throughout history -- including our best attempts today -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 28, 20246 min

BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Peat Bogs So Good at Preserving Human Remains?

Human bodies buried in bogs can retain some features -- like perfectly preserved skin, right down to forehead wrinkles -- for thousands of years. Learn how this natural mummification process works in today's classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 27, 20247 min

How Did the Word 'Hack' Get Hacked?

The word 'hack' was once simply a verb meaning to cut roughly -- it's now a noun and verb with several meanings, from a bad writer to computer criminal. Learn how it transformed in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/word-hack.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 26, 20245 min

How Do Sharks' Senses Work?

Sharks are such successful hunters in part because their senses are so well-adapted to finding prey in the water. Learn about sharks' senses of smell, hearing, sight, taste, and electroreception in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/sharks/shark-senses.htm/printable; https://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/sharks/shark-yummy-hum.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 25, 20248 min
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