BrainStuff
2,726 episodes — Page 33 of 55
What Is Agnosticism?
Some people think that there are no effective differences between religious agnosticism and atheism, but the two standpoints are distinct. Learn how both work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Does Henry Ford's Feud with the Dodge Brothers Affect Businesses Today?
The legal feud between carmakers Henry Ford and the Dodge brothers wasn't just deeply personal -- it changed the way Americans do business. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Has Anyone Been Buried on the Moon?
Spoiler alert: Yes. But just one person. Learn who Eugene Shoemaker was and how his friends and family got him interred on the moon in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Happened at America's Secret Atomic City?
When the U.S. was building atomic bombs during World War II, it set up a secret city -- Oak Ridge, Tennessee -- to produce the uranium-235 it needed. Learn how this city worked and what it's used for today in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do Some People Eat Dirt?
The craving for and practice of eating earth is more widespread than you might think. Learn why researchers think people engage in pica (a.k.a geophagy) 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 Blobfish Blobby?
The blobfish has been voted the World's Ugliest Animal based on above-water photos, but its gelatinous features make it perfectly adapted for life deep in the ocean. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Does the Word 'Caucasian' Really Mean?
Caucasian' is sometimes used to mean 'white', but the word comes from an old, incorrect scientific hypothesis and has been used to perpetuate prejudice. Learn why it would be better left in the past in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Can Marsquakes Teach Us?
Seismic activity has been recorded on Mars, and researchers hope to use the data to learn lots about the history and current state of the red planet. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Grocery Store Tomatoes So Meh?
Many tomatoes found in large grocery stores are mealy and lack flavor. 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.
What Is the Humboldt Ocean Current?
This cold Pacific current runs along South America's coast, creating some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Learn how it works and who it was named for 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 Controversy Behind 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'?
No, it's not the lyrics -- the author of this nursery rhyme is what's in question. Learn why -- and how Henry Ford is involved -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
You may have heard differing advice on how often to have your car's oil changed. Learn how to figure out what's right for you and your car in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Were Some Viking Warriors Women?
The bones of what appears to be high-ranking Viking warrior have been proven to belong to a genetically female person. Learn the story behind this ancient grave and its occupant in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can All Plants Be Preserved in Seed Banks?
Seed banks ensure that in case of disaster, Earth's plant life can be regrown from stored seeds -- but it turns out that lots of plants can't withstand conventional storage. Learn how researchers are working to solve this in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do Truly Unselfish Acts Really Exist?
Neurologists and philosophers alike may argue that altruism doesn't exist because no act is ever completely unselfish. Learn why -- and why humans may have evolved this way -- in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Unlikely Is a Hole-in-One?
If golf is hard (and it is), sinking a hole-in-one seems practically impossible -- but it does happen. Learn the odds of getting a hole-in-one in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do People Plagiarize?
Everyone borrows and builds on other people's ideas, but plagiarism is outright stealing without giving credit. Learn why plagiarism hurts both parties -- and how it might be stopped -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Can an Image of a Black Hole Teach Us?
Researchers have rendered the first-ever image of a black hole. Learn how they did it and how it helps prove Einstein right in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Did NASA's Twin Study Find?
NASA has been following intercellular changes in the bodies of an astronaut and his Earth-faring twin. The results are in! Learn what they found, and what further research is needed, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Was the Emu War?
Following World War II, Australia became embroiled in another war -- with a population of emu. Learn how the Emu War unfolded in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Weird Pets Have Lived in the White House?
Dogs and cats aren't the only pets presidents have kept. Learn about some of the strangest presidential pets -- from a raccoon to alleged alligators -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Paleoartists Create Dinosaur Drawings?
Short answer: Very carefully. Learn about the history and modern practices of paleoart in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do Modern Cars Still Need Tuneups?
Regular tuneups can keep some car engines running safely and smoothly, but the engines of most modern cars don't need them. Learn how car maintenance has changed in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Opossums Awesome?
They eat trash and they look a little freaky, but the North American opossum is a smart, clean, disease-fighting, and all-around fascinating creature. 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 If the Meteor that Helped Wipe out the Dinosaurs Had Missed Earth?
After the Chicxulub meteor hit what's now the Yucatan Peninsula about 65 million years ago, over half of the species living on Earth went extinct. Learn how prehistory may have unfolded without the Chicxulub impact in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are Windowless Airplanes the Future of Flight?
The view out an airplane window is one of the perks of flying, but some airlines are experimenting with windowless planes -- and advanced digital displays. Learn how these planes hope to deliver better-than-real views in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can a Medicine's Inactive Ingredients Be Harmful?
Though we take medicines for their active ingredients, the inactive ones can affect us, too -- from allergens to sugars to animal-based gelatin capsules. Learn how a compounding pharmacy can help in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Common Is Postpartum Depression in Dads?
Men can experience postpartum depression, too. Learn why researchers think it happens -- and why it's so important to get treatment -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.