BrainStuff
2,648 episodes — Page 32 of 53
Why Is Cramming the Worst Way to Study?
Cramming for a test or other deadline may give you decent short-term results, but research shows it sacrifices long-term comprehension and memory. Learn why study methods like spacing and interleaving are better 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 Pollen Count Work?
Your local weather report may include a pollen count, but what does that mean, and how do they calculate it? Learn the science behind this sneeze factor in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Don't Snakes Have Legs?
Some snakes still carry the genes necessary to grow legs -- so why don't they? Learn how snakes may have lost their legs, evolutionarily speaking, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Mail Carriers Get Their Routes?
Delivering mail to all 372 million Americans along all 214,000 postal routes is no easy task. Learn how the U.S. Postal Service designs those routes in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Can Babies See in the Womb?
A human fetus doesn't develop retinas until around gestational week 28. Learn how researchers have tried to figure out what babies can see in the few remaining weeks before they're born in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Should We Retest Licensed Drivers Periodically?
Although some driving skills can deteriorate with age, experienced drivers tend to be the safest drivers. To an extent. Learn when and how experts think drivers should be retested in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why is Horseshoe Crab Blood So Expensive?
Horseshoe crab blood is one of the most valuable fluids on Earth due to it's ability to detects endotoxins released by bacteria. But what does this mean for the species? Learn what the future may hold for these primitive animals in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could California Get an Autobahn?
California legislators are considering creating speed-limit-free areas on some of their roadways. Learn how this might work (and why it might NOT work) on today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Is the Mandela Effect?
When many people share a false memory, that's the Mandela Effect in action -- but how does it happen? Learn how our individual brains misremember stuff and how false memories can spread in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Happens to Donated Blood?
After you donate blood, it goes through a complex system of testing, processing, and storage before it can be delivered to patients who need it. Learn how the system works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Would 'Medicare for All' Really Mean?
Some liberal U.S. politicians are promoting concepts of 'Medicare for All'. Learn how these proposals are different than the current American health care system (and how they compare to other countries' systems) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Does Cashmere Cost So Much?
Cashmere can be more expensive than other wools because producing it is such an intensive process -- for the goats that grow it and the humans who care for them. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Did Sealab Work?
In the 1960s, advances in technology allowed brave aquanauts to explore deeper into the ocean than ever before, but the project was shut down. Learn how Sealab worked -- and how that technology is still used today -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Can Earth's Deserts Teach Us About Martian Life?
To prepare for the search for microbial life on Mars, researchers are probing some of the harshest environments on Earth -- like the Atacama Desert. Learn how this work will inform future space missions in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Did Desi Arnaz Change Television?
Lucille Ball's ex-husband wasn't just her 'I Love Lucy' co-star and writing partner -- Desi Arnaz changed the way television is produced and watched. Learn about his contributions to the industry in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Is Our Galaxy Warped?
Our galaxy isn't a flat disk -- it's warped like melted vinyl record. Learn how researchers discovered this and why they think it happened in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can an Insurance Company Label an ER Visit 'Avoidable'?
A U.S. insurance companies has started cracking down on expensive emergency room visits by labeling some 'avoidable' and kicking the bills to the patients. Learn more 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 (and Future) of Toilets?
The 'modern' toilet was invented in the 1700s. So what was it like in the past, and how could we improve on it in the future? Learn more about waste technologies in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are We Living in a New Epoch?
Some geologists say that humans have had a big enough impact on the Earth that we should declare a new epoch -- the Anthropocene. 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 Are Airlines Cracking Down on Emotional Support Animals?
Emotional support animals are a real and useful therapy tool, but not all of them are trained to deal with the crowds and stresses of air travel. Learn what airlines can and can't do to prevent accidents in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can the Fear of Public Speaking Be Conquered?
As many as 7 in every 10 Americans have a fear of public speaking. Learn how this type of social anxiety develops -- and what you can do to fight it -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Long Can Animals Hold Their Breath?
Humans tend to max out at a couple minutes of breath holding, but some air-breathing reptiles and even mammals have evolved to spend extreme lengths of time underwater. Learn how long (and how they manage it) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's in Movie Theater Popcorn?
The salty, buttery popcorn sold in movie theaters is nigh irresistible, but there's zero butter involved. Learn what it's made of in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Is NASA Going Back to the Moon?
NASA is planning a new series of moon missions, with the goal of sending astronauts back by 2028. Learn what they're hoping to build and study there in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Where Do Sandman Myths Come From?
People have been telling stories about the Sandman -- named for his magic sand, which you may find crusting your eyelashes when you wake up -- for centuries. Learn some of the oldest known stories and how they may have emerged in today’s BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Has the HANS Device Improved Car Racing?
The HANS device supports a driver's head and neck in the event of a race car crash, saving lives. Learn its history in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have We Hit Peak Recycling?
Recycling rates seem to have plateaued in the United States, which is bad news for the environment. Learn why this happened -- and what might be done to help fix it -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do Flying Squirrels Glow Hot Pink in UV Light?
As it turns out, most flying squirrels glow hot pink in ultraviolet light. Learn what researchers think may be the reason in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Can You Help a Friend with Depression?
We all know we're supposed to reach out to friends and family experiencing depression, but it's an intimidating prospect. Learn how to get a conversation started in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Isn't Arkansas Pronounced 'Ar-Kansas'?
Kansas and Arkansas are spelled similarly but pronounced very differently. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Can't 911 Find You If Lyft Can?
Smartphone apps like Lyft and even Facebook seem able to identify our location with near-perfect accuracy, but the 911 emergency service still struggles. Learn why -- and what's being done about it -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's Really Happening on Plum Island?
The research facility on New York's Plum Island holds some of the most dangerous livestock diseases known to humankind. Learn about its history (and uncertain future) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Does a 500-Year Experiment Work?
Bacteria can survive way longer than humans under the right conditions, so a team of researchers designed an experiment on microbes that will take 500 years to complete. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Should You Be Squatting More?
Short answer: Yeah, probably. Most Westerners have traded squatting for sitting and standing, to the detriment of our backs and joints. Learn the benefits of a good squat -- and how you can incorporate them into your day -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Did the Opportunity Rover Teach Us?
After 15 years, NASA has officially ended the mission of the Mars rover Opportunity. Learn what the little-robot-that-could helped us discover about the planet (and interplanetary missions) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Was Earth's Oldest Rock Found on the Moon?
The oldest known intact Earth rock was collected on the moon in the 1970s. Learn how researchers think it got there it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could Genetics Grow a Square Tomato?
Researchers have found genes that help determine the shapes of fruits and vegetables. Learn how this could (and couldn't) change what you see at the grocery store in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why a Gaggle of Geese? Where Do Collective Nouns Come From?
About 500 years ago, creating clever collective nouns for groups of animals, objects, and people was trendy, and some of those nouns of assemblage stuck. Learn the history of this quirk of the English language in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are People Fascinated with the Number 23?
Some people hold that the number 23 has near-magical significance, but how did this fascination start? And can mere coincidences have real meaning? Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Sloths' Toilet Habits So Dangerous?
Sloths only defecate once a week or so, and more sloths die during the process than at any other time. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Suburbs So Unwalkable?
Many modern cities feature grided streets made for walking, but suburbs' wide, winding roads require cars to get around. Learn why, plus how it might change, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's Up with the New 'Tesla Tower'?
A company has built a tower in Texas that resembles Nikola Tesla's famed Wardenclyffe Tower. Learn what we know (and don't know) about it so far in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Whales Big (But Not Bigger)?
Whales are some of the largest creatures on Earth -- but why? And why aren't they bigger? Learn a whale of a tale about ocean mammals in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Quinoa Unhealthy For Its Producers?
Quinoa is hailed as a healthy, high-protein substitute for grains, but some reports have indicated that its popularity hasn't been good for the people who farm it. Learn why, and what researchers are doing about it, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are Electric Cars or Gasoline-Powered Cars Faster?
A car's quickness and overall speed depend on both the power of the engine and the way that energy is routed throughout the vehicle. Learn why electric vehicles can be quicker (but aren't as fast) as gas-powered cars in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Don't Penguin Feet Freeze?
Standing barefoot on a glacier, human feet would freeze solid -- but penguin feet are fine. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Many People Really Have Food Allergies?
There's a lot of confusion over food allergies, intolerances, and other disorders with similar symptoms. So how can you tell the difference, and how many of us should be concerned? Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.