BrainStuff
2,648 episodes — Page 51 of 53
What makes your arms, legs and feet fall asleep?
When you put prolonged pressure on your feet, arms or legs, you temporarily cut off or scramble communications between your brain and your body parts. Marshall explains exactly what happens when body parts "fall sleep" in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why is the Nissan Leaf such a big deal?
Nissan recently released the Leaf, a model which may be the first viable electric car to come on the market. How does it work? Why do people have high hopes for it? Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to find out more about the Nissan Leaf. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What do the brake warning lights mean in my car?
The brake warning lights in your car light up as part of a routine test. When they stay on, they indicate that there's something wrong with your brake system. Learn more about brake warning lights in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How much does 20-pound bond paper weigh?
Your average ream of printer paper is called 20-pound bond paper, but it doesn't actually weigh 20 pounds. Tune in as Marshall explains this strange American paper naming system -- and its metric alternative -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does Christmas work?
Christmas is the biggest holiday on the American calendar -- but how did it get this way? Travel back in time with Marshall Brain as he explores the evolution of Christmas in this special holiday episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why are West Coast waves bigger than East Coast waves?
The West Coast of the United States seems to produce bigger, more impressive waves than the East Coast. But why? In this episode, Marshall explains the various factors that make West Coast waves bigger and better. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is a T1 line and how does it work?
A T1 line is a dedicated fiber optic or copper cable that provides businesses with far more digital data than a residential line. Discover how T1 and other kinds of fiber optic lines work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do you decaffeinate coffee and tea?
There are multiple methods of removing caffeine from naturally caffeinated plant products. Learn more about these processes -- and how much caffeine they really remove -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do Voyager 1 and 2 transmit messages from far away?
Spacecraft Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 transmit images of space and its contents from great distances, but how? Learn more about the technology that allows them to send radio messages from far, far away in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do Power Balance Wristbands really work?
Do Power Balance Wristbands really work? Find out in this BrainStuff podcast by Marshall Brain. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's the most efficient way to mow your yard?
There's more than one way to mow a yard, but which is the most efficient? Tune in to this episode of BrainStuff to find out. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does disk defragmentation work?
The term 'disk defrag' usually refers to the Windows utility known as the disk defragmenter. But what exactly is this thing, and how does it work? Tune in as Marshall Brain explains disk defragmentation in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do space mirrors work?
Mirrors placed in space could deflect excessive sunlight and combat global warming trends. Find out more about space mirrors in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why do newspapers turn yellow over time?
Newspapers turn yellow over time because they contain lignin, a substance in wood that oxidates when exposed to air and light. Learn more about lignin and paper processing in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why do eggs turn hard when you boil them?
Eggs are rich in protein, and this protein causes eggs to turn hard when they're boiled - but how does it actually work? Tune in as Marshall Brain breaks down the science behind hard-boiled eggs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do you add a USB device if you've run out of ports?
Desktop computers and laptops only have so many USB ports, so what do you do when you want to plug in more USB devices and they're all full? You buy a USB hub. Find out how these hubs work, and which kind you should get, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is an autograph worth?
An autograph is a famous person's signature, but what determines how valuable it is? Marshall Brain discusses the relative value of autographs -- and what you can do to increase the value of your own signature. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What are electrolytes?
What are electrolytes, and why do athletes and sick kids need them? Marshall Brain explains how ions and electrolytes work in your body in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why do most zippers say 'YKK' on the pull-tab?
Have you ever wondered why zippers often have the letters 'YKK' etched into them? Learn more about the Japanese company behind the tiny letters -- and the zippers -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How much coal does a light bulb need to run for a year?
How much coal do you need to run a 100-watt light bulb 24 hours a day for a year? The answer might surprised. Tune in and find out in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is mayonnaise?
Mayo is an emulsion - a mixture of two liquids that normally can't be combined. So how do these ingredients come together? Tune in to learn how oil, egg yolks and acid combine to form one of the world's most popular condiments. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is there an easy way to understand how time zones work?
There are 24 different time zones -- but why do we have them? In this podcast, Marshall recounts how society evolved time zones, and also gives you an easy way to model the structure of time zones across the globe. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can picking a movie theater get any more complicated?
With all the recent technological breakthroughs, choosing the right movie theatre has become increasingly complex. Why? Listen in as Marshall breaks down the different sound and video technologies available in modern movie theaters. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does emergency preparedness work?
In moments, a natural disaster can level cities, kill thousands and force survivors to scavenge through the rubble for supplies. In this podcast, Marshall discusses the importance of preparedness and the types of supplies you may need in an emergency. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why can biting on aluminum foil be painful?
When (dental) metal in your mouth comes in contact with aluminum foil, your teeth get a painful shock from the electricity produced. Marshall Brain explains how the voltaic effect plays out in your mouth in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does WikiLeaks work?
WikiLeaks is a controversial "not-for-profit media organization" that disseminates secret, leaked information to the public. But how exactly does this group work? And why does it exist? Marshall Brain takes a look at WikiLeaks in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are all blood types needed for donation?
In this episode, Marshall explains how proteins determine your blood type -- and why blood types must match for blood transfusions to be successful. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Japan's Nuclear Problem
When the recent earthquake hit Japan, it seemed the country had withstood the worst of the blast -- until explosions occurred at a nuclear power plant. Is another disaster on the way? Tune in as Marshall explains the state of Japan's nuclear power plants. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does a gigabyte of internet access really cost?
Internet service providers often tangle with customers who claim they're being ripped off -- but how much does a gigabyte of access actually cost? Join Marshall Brain as he breaks down the real cost of a gigabyte's worth of internet access. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Which 4G services are available in the U.S. today?
If you have a smart phone, you may be interested in 4G service for the data you receive. But which services are available, and which one will suit your needs? Listen in as Marshall Brain breaks down the differences between 4G services. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why is a cell phone called a cell phone?
Cellular phone systems divide areas of coverage into "cells," hence the name. But how do they actually work? Listen in as Marshall Brain breaks down the nuts and bolts of cell phone systems in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does the oxygen sensor in a car work?
All new cars sport oxygen sensors that are designed to cut down emissions and keep the engine running smoothly. Find out exactly how these sensors work in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why can I play some DVDs, but not others?
Film studios use regional code protection in DVD technology to protect content and to control worldwide release dates. Tune as Marshall Brain breaks down the concept of region codes in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do CD-R discs work?
Unlike a regular CD, a CD-R has a special dye layer that allows you to imprint data on it. Discover the mechanics of CD-R discs in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is chocolate poisonous to dogs?
Under the right conditions, chocolate can indeed be deadly for dogs. Tune in to learn more about the compound in chocolate that makes it dangerous for dogs (and how much is too much) in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How can there be seedless grapes?
Seedless grapes are the most common kind on the market, but have you ever wondered how a grape can be seedless? How does it grow? Discover how seedless grapes accidentally came about -- and how they grow -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do self-driving cars work?
Self-driving cars seem like the stuff of science fiction, but they're closer to becoming reality than you might think. In this episode, Marshall breaks down the technology behind experimental self-driving cars. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do British royal titles work?
In this episode of BrainStuff, Marshall Brain gives a detailed explanation of how British royal titles work. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why do they include jokers in a deck of playing cards?
The joker is an obscure and (according to some) useless addition to a deck of modern playing cards -- but it was originally a powerful card. Discover the history of the joker card and the modern card deck in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is dynamite? How does it work?
Dynamite is a type of chemical explosive. Discover how explosives from gasoline to dynamite work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why is dry ice dangerous?
Dry ice is different from regular ice in several ways. Find out what makes dry ice so unique -- and why it's so good for transporting perishables over long distances -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How can a car get 100 MPG?
Created in the 1980s, the Avion is a car that can get more than 100 miles per gallon. In this episode, Marshall Brain talks about the factors that make the Avion so efficient -- and how the same techniques could be applied to production vehicles. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Jelly, Jam and Preserves Work
Jam, jelly, and preserves are all made from fruit mixed with sugar and pectin. Jell-O, on the other hand, is completely different. Take a look at our HowStuffWorks article to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What happens when you press Alt and F4?
The alt-f4 key combination is a faster way to close a window on your computer. Learn more about this and several other keyboard shortcuts in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Where's the best place to sit in a movie theater?
When it comes to where you should sit in a movie theater to get the best experience, it's mostly a matter of preference. Except when it comes to sound. Find out why -- and where you should sit -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why is bamboo suddenly appearing in so many products?
Nowadays bamboo is used to make all sorts of products, from flooring and furniture to bicycle frames. In this episode, Marshall explains why bamboo is becoming so popular -- and the advantages of using it to create consumer goods. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Internet Cookies Work
Internet cookies are information stored as text strings on a machine by a web server. Most commonly, cookies are used to store user IDs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does making bread work?
Bread is a technology for turning hard kernels into a soft foodstuff. Learn more about bread and yeast in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does the ball return work on a pool table?
If you've ever played a coin-operated pool table, then you've probably noticed that the table can sense the difference between the cue ball and the other balls in play. But how does this work? Tune in and find out in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do a zebra's stripes act as camoflauge?
A zebra's stripes offer protection from predators in the form of camouflage -- and a way to identify individual members within the larger group. Learn more about zebra stripes in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.