BrainStuff
2,648 episodes — Page 30 of 53
Why Is Building Muscle Important for Everyone?
The fancy science word for building muscle is hypertrophy, but it's not inaccessible. Learn how hypertrophy works and why building muscle keeps us healthy in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Can You Do If Your U.S. Money Gets Mangled?
Shredded, chewed, exhumed, or burnt American bills aren't necessarily lost -- a service of the Department of Treasury may reimburse you for their cash value. Learn about the Mutilated Currency Redemption Service in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Did Fish & Chips Become England's National Dish?
Light and tender fried fish plated with crisp fried potatoes is a classic English comfort meal, but it's only a little over a century old. Learn the history of fish and chips in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Is the Ocean Different Colors?
Ocean water can appear many dazzling shades of blue and green depending on where you are. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Starling Murmurations Work?
Starlings flock in swooping, harmonious groups of thousands of birds called murmurations. Learn how these birds pull off such an amazing feat through simple actions in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Sparkling Water Good For You?
More people are drinking fizzy water, both plain and in a boggling array of flavors. Learn about the different types of sparkling water and what you should watch out for in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Is There a Rhino-Shaped Cave in Washington State?
Yes, there’s a cave shaped like a rhinoceros in Washington State. Learn how it was created and discovered in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Many Trees Would We Need to Plant to Slow Climate Change?
Trees pull and store carbon, but lots of land that could support them is deforested. Learn how researchers think planting trees could help mitigate climate change in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Aren’t There Female CPR Mannequins?
Research shows that women are less likely to receive CPR when they need it, and fixing that might require introducing training mannequins with breasts. Learn about a project that’s trying to help in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do Beaches Need Seashells?
Seashells are a pretty sight on beaches, but it turns out that they play an important role in seaside structures and ecosystems. Learn why -- and why shell poaching is a problem -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's the History of Paternity Testing?
Humans have only very recently developed scientific ways of proving who a child's biological father is, but that didn't stop us from trying beforehand. Learn the weird history of paternity tests in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Blue Whales Work?
The blue whale is the largest known animal to ever grace the planet -- they may be twice as big as Megalodon was! Learn what science knows (and doesn't know) about blue whales in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Is Peyote?
In brief, peyote is a cactus with hallucinogenic properties that's been used in religious ceremonies for centuries. Learn how it works and why it's endangered in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Does America Use Fahrenheit Instead of Celsius?
Most of the rest of the world uses the Celsius scale to describe temperature, but the U.S. uses Fahrenheit. Learn the origins and histories of these two scales in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Are Ethnicity and Race Different?
The concepts of ethnicity and race are both human inventions with no basis in science, but these concepts have huge impacts on us and our world. Learn the difference between ethnicity and race in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Is the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon?
Also called the frequency illusion or recency illusion, the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon occurs when you learn something new, then notice instances of it everywhere. Learn how it works and how it got its name in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could Frozen Zoo DNA Stave Off Species' Extinction?
As human civilization encroaches on wild animals' habitats, some face extinction. Learn how researchers hope to someday use frozen DNA sample taken from zoo animals to replenish wild populations in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Does the Hippocampus Work?
Without the hippocampus, our brains have serious trouble recalling and recording certain types of long-term memories. Learn how this brain structure works in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Permafrost Really Permanent?
Despite its name, permafrost doesn't necessarily last forever -- and when it melts, it can have a negative effect on the environment. Learn how permafrost works (and how it preserves long-dead creatures so well) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's the Difference Between Coroners and Medical Examiners?
These two types of professional death investigators often work together, but their jobs are usually distinct. Learn the difference in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Animals Get Their Scientific Names?
The person who discovers a new species gets to name it -- but what do 'new' and 'discover' mean here? And do all names get approved? Learn how scientific naming and taxonomy work in this episode of BrainStuff (plus, meet a fish named after Greedo). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Should You Rent Grass-Mowing Goats?
Goats were the original weed wackers, and they're still super effective at controlling lawns and brush today. Learn why they're gaining popularity again in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Will Exploring Saturn's Moon Titan Be Different?
NASA recently announced that they're sending a rotorcraft to explore Saturn's giant moon Titan from the land and air. Learn how the Dragonfly mission will be different than other otherworldly explorations in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Does the Military Teach a Sleep Meditation Technique?
According to the guy who popularized a famous meditation technique for getting to sleep fast, the results are excellent. Learn its history and how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Food Forests Help Fight Hunger?
Food forests are free, edible community gardens that make the most of the land by following nature's lead on design. Learn how they work and how they may help end food deserts in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Birds Sing?
Birds are the only creature in the world that have the specially evolved organ called the syrinx, and it's what lets them sing. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Tidal Bores Work?
Tidal bores are huge, fast waves that travel the wrong way up rivers, and they only form during very specific circumstances. Learn how they work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Could Hypersonic Missiles Work?
There's a new global arms race: to build missiles that could travel at hypersonic speeds. Learn where the technology stands and what it might be capable of in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Health-Helpful Is Turmeric?
Adding turmeric to recipes and taking supplements with it (or its active ingredient, curcumin) has become a global trend. Learn what science has to say about turmeric's medicinal properties in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do We Find Asteroids Inside Earth's Orbit?
Although researchers think we've found most large asteroids whose orbits bring them near Earth, some are still surprising us. Learn why -- and how we find them -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can You Live Without a Working Amygdala?
The amygdala is a part of the brain that handles fear -- so would having one that doesn't fully function be a good thing or a bad thing? Learn about how fear hurts and helps us in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
American soldiers have stood guard over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every minute of every day since July 2, 1937. Learn what this monument means and who's interred there in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Who Was History's Most Successful Pirate?
In the early 1800s, a woman known as Mrs. Cheng or Ching Shih commanded the world's largest-ever pirate crew -- and she managed to retire and live a long, peaceful life. Learn about Mrs. Cheng's pirate empire in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Raw Milk Better Than Pasteurized Milk?
Proponents of raw milk (that is, milk that isn't pasteurized or homogenized) say it's healthier and tastes better, but the U.S. government still classifies raw milk as potentially hazardous. Learn both sides of the issue in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do Cats Chase Laser Pointers?
Something about the bright dot of a laser pointer is irresistible to many cats -- but why? And does this kind of play provide good entertainment for cats? Learn about lasers and the benefits of play for cats in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Spaghetti Plots Help Predict Storms?
There are as many ways to attempt to predict a storm's behavior, and none are perfect. Spaghetti plots help researchers visualize the probabilities of different predictions. Learn how they work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Who Was Alan Turing, and What's the Turing Test?
Alan Turing was the brilliant mathematician who designed a legendary test of artificial intelligence before computers as we know them even existed. Learn about his life and legacy in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Canned Food Really Worse Than Fresh or Frozen?
Canning foods preserves them, but the texture and nutritive value can suffer -- and what about the potential dangers of BPA and botulism? Learn what's true and what's myth when it comes to canned food in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could the Electoral College Become Obsolete?
U.S. presidents are voted into office by the electoral college, made up of representatives from each state. Learn how changing the way electors choose a candidate – from the state’s popular vote winner to the national popular vote winner – could change elections in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How (And Why) Do Chameleons Change Color?
Chameleons don't change color to blend it -- they change to stand out. Learn how they create those colorful patterns in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can You Lactate from Areas Outside Your Breasts?
Short answer: Yes. Ectopic lactation can occur when mammary tissue grows in different areas of your body. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Doesn't Alcohol Have Nutrition Labels?
Alcohol contains calories and ingredients like any other beverage, but only rarely does its packaging list those ingredients and nutrition facts. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Did Alchemy Create Chemistry?
Alchemists may have never turned lead into gold, but they did create the field of chemistry. Learn how the study of alchemy worked in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Has the Korean War Changed History?
The Korean War began 70 years ago today, and remains unresolved. Learn how this war shaped the future of the powers involved in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Where's the Line Between Cultural Appropriation and Appreciation?
The line between appreciating and appropriating someone else's cultural products can be a blurry one. Learn how respect and research can go a long way in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Does the U.S. Presidential Motorcade Work?
The American president's motorcade includes multiple armored vehicles driving in a virtual ballet to ensure its passengers' safety. Learn what goes into creating the presidential motorcade in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Isotopes Work?
Isotopes are variations on the same chemical element that have different numbers of neutrons. Learn how these variants can behave differently -- and why chemists, physicists, and paleontologists are all interested in them -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Was André the Giant Larger than Life?
Professional wrestler and actor André the Giant had a reputation for kindness that outgrew his impressive stature. Learn about André Roussimoff's life and legacy in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Camel Spiders Harmless?
Camel spiders have a fearsome reputation, but despite being large and fast, they're not a threat to humans. (Or camels. They're also technically not spiders.) Learn more about these fascinating creatures in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Happens If You Ignore a Subpoena?
Subpoenas are orders that help courts and Congress obtain information necessary to cases and investigations -- and they're legally binding. So can you really ignore one? Learn what could happen if you do in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.