BrainStuff

In pop psychology, people often talk about wanting closure to a relationship that's ended -- but psychologists say closure doesn't (and shouldn't!) exist. Learn why, plus what's recommended instead, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The British peerage system gives formal ranks to people through one of five titles: duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron. Learn about the differences and how these ranks are granted in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These amphibians spend their entire lives in the water and can regrow any part of their body. Learn more about the axolotl in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When American colonists rebelled against the British Empire, the British encouraged enslaved people to rise up and fight for the crown. Learn about the Black Loyalists in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A study found that bug biomass has been steadily -- and in some places, dramatically -- decreasing. Learn what may be to blame and what this could this mean for the future in today's classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OK, it's not technically an allergy, but yes: People can have extreme skin reactions to water. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This substance helps provide thick, smooth textures in homemade foods and industrial products alike. Learn about how xanthan gum is used and how it's made in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neanderthals have been portrayed as much less intelligent than humans, but they developed technologies and cultural practices similar to ours -- and sometimes much earlier. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These birds are the subject of a lot of myths, ancient and modern. Learn what roadrunners are really like in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the late 1800s, a doctor who autopsied a criminal had the man's skin made into human leather. Learn the macabre story in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some traits and abilities -- like flight, for example -- are so useful that completely different species evolved them independently over time. Learn about convergent evolution (and divergent evolution) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are plenty of potential reasons for a boom to rumble through the air, but skyquakes don't seem to be attached to any of the usual suspects. Learn more about these mysterious phenomena on BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ross 128 b is an Earth-sized planet only 11 light years away that might have the right conditions to sustain life as we know it. Learn how scientists are studying it in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pillows we sleep on can collect grime aplenty, but they can't all be washed the same way. Learn what the experts recommend in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These two cheeses look similar on the outside, but it's what inside that counts. Learn about the differences between buratta and mozzarella, and how to use them, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've ever seen a face in a cloud or thought your electrical outlet was looking at you funny, you've experienced pareidolia. But why does this happen so often? Learn more about how the eyes and brain work together in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, 'The Green Book' was a lifeline connecting Black travelers in the U.S. with businesses that were happy to serve them. Learn how it got started in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The two things that make showers on Earth delightful are hot water and gravity, but in space, both are in limited supply. Learn how astronauts have made do over the years in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop culture often shows cats happily sipping saucers of milk, but giving a cat milk isn't actually the best treat for it -- or you. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the black plague ravaged the rest of France, Paris remained relatively untouched -- and they may have had their fondness for lemonade to thank. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. presidents have the power to pardon anyone from punishment surrounding a federal crime, no questions asked. Learn how this clemency works in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whatever else happens, 2021 is going to be a year with some amazing astronomical events. Learn when they're happening and how to watch them in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have always been parties surrounding U.S. presidential inaugurations, but the events themselves didn't become star-studded until fairly recently. Learn about the history of performances surrounding inaugurations in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth can help your heart, immune system, and even your anxiety levels. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is profound -- his activism changed the course of history. Including, oddly enough, 'Star Trek'. Learn how he inspired Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played Uhura, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not all flatulence is created equal -- your diet has a huge impact on the gas you pass. So whose farts are smellier: vegetarians or omnivores? Learn the answer in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fringe theorists sometimes question whether the 1969 moon landing actually happened. In this classic episode of BrainStuff, we explore how astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin have reacted when asked whether it's all a conspiracy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Universal basic income is a form of monthly payments to citizens from their government with the idea that financial security makes people (and maybe even economies) healthier. Learn more about UBI and guaranteed income in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After abstaining from alcohol in January, research shows that drinkers consume less in the following months, too. Learn more about Dry January in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Populist leaders have been coming into power all over the world over the past few years. Learn what populism is -- and why it concerns political scientists -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This savory sauce with a difficult name dates back to the early 1800s. Learn about its history and ingredients in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yuri Gagarin was the Soviet cosmonaut who braved the first flight into space in 1961. Learn about his life (and tragic early death) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bats, dolphins, and other animals all use sonar to navigate, but the narwhal has them all beat, and it's thanks to narwhals' distinctive horns. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are again asking whether the 25th Amendment might be enacted to remove the current president. But what does this Amendment say, and what can it really do? Learn about it in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've seen rippling patterns in the blades of knives or swords, that's Damascus steel. Learn its history and how it's made today in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flightless birds that live in brutal Antarctic temperatures and partner up for life -- penguins are cool (pun absolutely intended). Learn more about them in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, the Arecibo Radio Telescope has let us investigate parts of our universe near and far. Learn its history -- and why it had to be shut down -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many local governments pass out stickers to the voters who cast a ballot on election day. It might seem silly, but those stickers have a real effect. Learn about the psychology behind 'I Voted!' stickers in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graham crackers are a sweetened, mass-produced baked good today, but they started out as a homemade, ascetic-diet food. Learn about Sylvester Graham and the history of his crackers in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Body odor happens when bacteria thrive in our sweat, so the ways your clothes deal with sweat can make a difference. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To draw attention to the average citizen's carbon footprint, a team of researchers calculated the eco-rating of a number of superheroes. Learn how they rank in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A farm in South Carolina ensured the health and welfare of the monkeys that were instrumental in the development of polio vaccines. Learn the history of Okatie Farms in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auld Lang Syne' is the most popular New Year's Eve song in the English-speaking world, but not all of its lyrics (including that title) are in English. Learn about the history and meaning of this song in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

🤔 Is Dr. Anthony Fauci a cat or a dog person? 📰 What’s happening with the Covid vaccine? 👨‍⚕️ When will kids be able to get the vaccine? 🧪 And when does the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, think it might be ok to have sleepovers again? Plus, see if you can guess the answer to the Trivia Question of the Day: Way before he became a leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Fauci was a leader in school. Which teams was he captain of in high school?👨‍⚕️ Uncover everything there is to know about Dr. Anthony Fauci!🤔 Learn the best ways to protect yourself & others from COVID-19👩🏾‍🔬 Brush up on your knowledge of the coronavirus and watch this informative video to learn more✏️Get some helpful tips on how to talk about Covid with your kids Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The lionfish is beautiful, fascinating, invasive, and venomous. Learn more about lionfish in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Snow is made up of ice crystals, which are mostly clear -- so why does snow appear white? Learn how particle physics gives us those dazzling white snow drifts in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kwanzaa is a relatively new holiday celebrating Pan-African culture, and the unity, creativity, and determination of its peoples. Learn the basics about Kwanzaa in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us break our New Years resolutions — and researchers have found a few reasons why. Learn how to build a better resolution in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although it's an integral part of many people's lives today, the smartphone is bound to be replaced by the next big thing. We explore what (and when) that might be in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the Puritans began colonizing North America, they did not bring Christmas traditions with them. Learn why celebrating was not widespread and sometimes even illegal in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.