BrainStuff
2,648 episodes — Page 35 of 53
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Men Have Deeper Voices?
Of course, everybody's voice varies, but in general male humans develop lower-pitched voices than female humans starting around puberty. 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.
How Can Sunlight Make You Sneeze?
Sudden exposure to bright light makes some people sneeze -- but why? Learn the leading theory 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 First Computer?
The first machine for computation was designed in the 1800s! Learn how its creators, Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace, set about inventing it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Is Blackface So Controversial?
It may seem like folks make too big of a deal over blackface, but its history puts that outrage into perspective. 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 Our Bones Grow?
We humans are fairly squishy, and we eat fairly squishy food. So how do we grow hard bones? Learn how it happens 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 Southern Biscuits?
Fluffy biscuits are a cornerstone of Southern cuisine, but they're a relatively recent invention. Learn the history behind this baked good in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could a Giant Squid Take Down a Submarine?
Tales of squid attacking ships go way back, and there are some known instances of squid attacking subs, but could a cephalopod really take down a modern vessel? Learn what researchers think in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Ice Pops Called Quiescently Frozen Confections?
You won't find the word 'popsicle' on the packaging for some ice pops -- instead, they're called 'quiescently frozen confections'. Learn why this sciencey term is used instead of the more simple one in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Happens to Balloons When You Release Them?
How high can helium balloons go before they burst? Do they always burst? Learn about the physics of escaped balloons 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 Weather and Climate?
When concepts are as intertwined as weather and climate, it can be easy to mix them up. Learn the difference, and why it matters so much in discussions about the environment, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Was George Washington Almost King of the United States?
Did the generals of the Revolutionary War really try to hand George Washington a monarchy? Learn the truth behind this slightly tall tale in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Is Nuclear Pasta?
No, it's not radioactive noodles -- nuclear pasta is the term for weird material produced in neutron stars. Learn why astrophysicists are so interested in 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.
What Would Happen If You Wrecked a Car on a Test-Drive?
If you wreck a car during a test-drive, would you have to pay for it? Learn how car dealers handle this surprisingly rare occurance in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Does Milk Really Make Mucus Worse?
There's a millennia-old idea that milk causes mucus production, and therefore that you should avoid milk if you're sick. Learn whether there's any truth to this snotty tale in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do We Get Hiccups?
What's happening when you get hiccups, and how can you stop them? Learn how hiccups work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Printing with Sound the Wave of the Future?
It's hard to print with stuff like liquid metals and living cells using traditional inkjet-style machines, but new tech that uses sound waves may make it easier. 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.
Could Jupiter Have Water After All?
Astronomers have long suspected that Jupiter contains lots of water, but they've never been able to prove it. Learn about the new research that could help -- and thus solve lots of questions about our solar system -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Who Is The Laughing Buddha?
Statues of this jolly fellow adorn the register counters of many Chinese American restaurants, but he's not the Buddha. Learn about this Buddhist diety in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Was The Great Pox?
You've heard of smallpox, but what was the great pox? And did Shakespeare have it? Learn about the spread of (spoiler alert) syphilis in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can Side Sleeping Help Prevent Snoring?
Snoring can root from a number of causes, but sleeping on your side can usually help prevent it. Learn the science of snores in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do We Drink So Much Bottled Water?
Water is essentially free, so why do Americans spend billions on bottles of it? Learn the history behind bottled water's popularity, from marketing to health scares, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do We Itch?
The sensation of itchiness can be maddening. Learn what's going on in your nerves and brain when you itch -- and when you scratch that itch -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Movie Theaters Sell Popcorn?
For millions of moviegoers, memories visiting the local theater automatically conjures the smell of popcorn. But this wasn’t always the case – so why, out of all snacks, did popcorn become #1 for film? Learn the history in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Is Alzheimers's So Difficult to Treat?
Despite being a widespread condition, Alzheimer's is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Learn why (plus how researchers hope to make it easier) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Migrating Birds Navigate?
Birds can migrate thousands of miles and back home again with no prior knowledge or assistance thanks to their superpowered vision. Learn about magnetoreception in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Did Pirates Really Talk Like That?
One guy is responsible for what we think pirates sounded like. For Talk Like A Pirate Day, learn how Robert Newton changed the world in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are Artists Hardwired To Be Poor?
Research shows that artists' brains don't respond to monetary motivation the way that other people's do. Learn why this might be -- and whether it means we create types are doomed to poverty -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Are Hydrogen Peroxide Bottles Brown?
Most hydrogen peroxide sold to consumers comes in opaque brown bottles. Learn why in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do So Many Price Tags End in .99?
It’s very common to see the number 9 at the right end of a price tag. But why? Learn about the psychology of pricing -- and nines in particular -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Can't People Remember Being Born?
You probably remember your last birthday, but not your first – or your zeroth. Learn why scientists think we lose those early memories in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Are Food Deserts?
In the United States, 17.6 million American lack access to healthy food because there aren't any grocery stores or other establishments that sell fresh food in their area. Learn about food deserts and how we can fix them in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Could We Get Into Space Without Big Rockets?
Large rockets are great at getting delicate equipment (and people) into space, but at a huge financial cost. Learn about some of the potential alternatives to ground-launched rockets in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do Dogs Love Rolling in Stinky Stuff?
Dogs are pretty much guaranteed to find the smelliest stuff to roll in -- but why? Learn what may be behind this gross instinct 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 Skin Tan and Freckle?
When you freckle or tan, your skin is trying to protect you from damage. 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 New Religions Take Root?
Hundreds of new religions pop up every year, but only a few survive and become widespread. Learn why some religions have staying power while others don't in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: How Do Tattoo Machines Work?
Tattoo machines (sometimes called tattoo guns) haven’t changed much since the 1890s because they’re such elegant devices. Learn how the most common types work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: How Does Hair Dye Work?
Some hair dyes are basically fine-grained paint, but dyes that stick with you for more than a couple weeks physically and chemically change each hair. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Can an Ancient Pregnancy Test Actually Work?
An ancient Egyptian pregnancy test has been found to work with about 70% accuracy. 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.
Does Playing with Toy Guns Lead to Violent Behavior?
Some parents and advocacy groups recommend against allowing children to play with toys that resemble weapons, like toy guns. But is there any science to back that up? Learn about play, parenting, and aggression in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Do You Stop Noticing Scents After a While?
Smells seem to disappear after a while because our brains lie to us. Not maliciously -- they think they're helping. Learn about olfactory adaptation in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can Cannabis Help Break Opioid Addiction?
Medical marijuana is now FDA-approved for some uses even though it's still illegal federally. Some researchers and journalists, including Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN, believe it could help solve the opioid crisis. 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's the History of Lemonade?
Who were the first people to drink lemonade? How did it turn pink? Learn the folklore behind lemonade in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: What Are Eye Boogers?
The gunk that builds up at the inner corners of our eyes is residue of our eyeballs' protective coatings. Learn what it’s made of and why it turns to sand overnight in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: How Do You Find Water In The Wild?
In case you ever get stranded in the wild without an obvious source of fresh water, learn a few things you can do to collect some in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why Did NASA Send Sperm Into Orbit?
Research on the International Space Station studies all aspects of how humans would fare on long space missions -- including reproduction. Learn about NASA's latest reproductive science experiments in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What States Failed to Become Part of the U.S.?
There are a few United States that never were. Learn their stories in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are Chimps Cleaner Than Us?
A study investigating the microbes and bugs in chimpanzee beds versus human beds showed that chimps are cleaner than we are. Learn about the study's results in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Bad Is It to Run Your Car on Empty?
Your car's empty-tank light can sneak up on you, and it's easy to put off filling up for another day. But are you damaging your car when you do? Learn why it's not good to run your car on empty in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Should You Really Take Fish Oil Pills?
Conventional wisdom has long said fish oil pills are a great nutritional boost, but recent research shows they don't have the cardiovascular benefits we once thought. Learn who should still consider taking them in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Some People Faint At The Sight of Blood?
Even though only 3-4% of people have a phobia of seeing blood, about 15% of people will faint at the sight. 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.