BrainStuff

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Technology Natural Sciences

What's BrainStuff about?

Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on BrainStuff to explore -- and explain -- the everyday science in the world around us.

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Should You Worry About Nitr...

09.22.2022

We associate nitrates with processed meats, but they occur in vegetables, too -- and they're not all bad. Learn more about nitrates and nitrites in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/nitrates.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BrainStuff episodes:

09.22.2022 Should You Worry About Nitrates in Your Food? We associate nitrates with processed meats, but they occur in vegetables, too -- and they're not all bad. Learn more about nitrates and nitrites in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/nitrates.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
09.21.2022 What Artefacts Has This Summer's Drought Uncovered? Our changing climate is creating all kinds of effects -- including some surprising historical reveals. Learn about a few of the human remains, dinosaur tracks, and WWII relics that receding waters have uncovered in this episode of BrainStuff, based on ...
09.20.2022 How Did Queen Elizabeth II Fall in Love with Corgis? When Queen Elizabeth II died in September of 2022, she left a legacy that includes at least a couple of Welsh Pembroke corgis. Learn about her history with this breed in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/queen-corgis.htm ...
09.14.2022 What Does Your Pinky Toe Actually Do? The pinky toe is actually an important element in how we humans usually walk, jump, skip, etc. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/parts/surprise-pinky-toe-does-serve-purpose.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
09.13.2022 How Do Muskrats Work? Muskrats are clever semi-aquatic rodents with a distinct musky scent. Learn more about them (and, yes, 'Muskrat Love') in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/muskrat.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
09.13.2022 Introducing: The Loudest Girl in the World Hi, BrainStuff fans! Listen to The Loudest Girl in the World hosted by Lauren Ober! An exciting new podcast about when host Lauren Ober, finds out she’s autistic at age 42, starts her on a journey to make sense of ...
09.12.2022 How Could Saudi Arabia's Futuristic City 'The Line' Work? Would you live in a city 100 miles long but only 650 feet wide? Learn about Saudi Arabia's ambitious Neom Project in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/the-line-saudi-arabia-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
09.11.2022 BrainStuff Classics: What Is Breakup Bootcamp? We have retreats for everything else, so why not survival post-breakup? Learn how these camps hope to help the broken hearted, plus what emotional work they won't cover, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/tips/breakup-bootcamp-surviving-broken-heart.htm See ...
09.10.2022 BrainStuff Classics: What Are Food Deserts? In the U.S., 17.6 million people lack access to healthy food because there aren't any grocery stores or other shops that sell fresh food nearby. Learn about food deserts and how we can fix them in this classic episode of ...
09.09.2022 How Did a Conman Sell the Brooklyn Bridge -- Over and Over? Around the turn of the 20th century, career criminal George C. Parker 'sold' property he didn't own, from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dozens of times over. Learn more about his scams in this episode of ...
09.08.2022 How Does Gallium Work? Gallium is super rare, really useful in LEDs and smartphones, and will melt in your hand -- but won't boil until it hits 4000 degrees Fahrenheit. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/gallium.htm See omnystudio.com/listener ...
09.07.2022 Why Do Animals Sploot? When animals sploot (that is, lay flat on their bellies with their limbs spread out) on a hot day, they're taking advantage of a cool surface. Learn about humans' sweating versus other animals' splooting in this episode of BrainStuff, based ...
09.06.2022 How Does Doomscrolling Work? Social media is designed to keep you scrolling -- but too much negative news can be, well, too much. Learn why we doomscroll and how you can stop in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/networks/doomscrolling.htm See omnystudio.com/listener ...
09.06.2022 How Did Vikings' Gut Worms Create Today's Lung Disease? Intestinal parasites that plagued our ancestors seem to have led to a genetic adaptation that's causing emphysema and COPD today. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/respiratory/viking-toilet-investigation-emphysema.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
09.04.2022 BrainStuff Classics: Who Is The Laughing Buddha? Statues of this jolly fellow adorn the register counters of many restaurants -- but he's not the Buddha. Learn about this Buddhist deity in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/that-fat-jolly-fella-isnt-buddha.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
09.03.2022 BrainStuff Classics: 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 classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/dementia/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-cure-for-alzheimers.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
09.02.2022 How Can Turning Lights Off Save Birds? During fall and spring migrations, building lights can confuse birds, causing deadly crashes. Learn how Lights Out programs are helping in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/lights-out-program-birds.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
09.01.2022 How Do Kangaroos' Pouches Work? Baby kangaroos live in their mother's pouch for months after birth, and return sometimes even after they're mobile. Learn why, plus what it's like in there, in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/kangaroo-pouch.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
08.31.2022 How Does Ectopic Pregnancy Work? Up to 1 in every 50 pregnancies are ectopic -- that is, they implant outside the uterus and cannot be saved. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and confusion surrounding this common issue in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this ...
08.30.2022 Why Does the Fed Change the Interest Rate? The U.S. Federal Reserve is responsible for keeping the country's economy running smoothly. Learn why interest rate changes are one of the Fed's tools in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/fed-change-interest-rate.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08.28.2022 BrainStuff Classics: 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 classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08.27.2022 What Size Lottery Jackpot Makes People Play? There's a tipping point at which even lottery skeptics buy tickets for a big jackpot -- and lottery companies bank on it. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/behavior/powerball-tipping-point-what-size-jackpot-makes-you-play.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08.26.2022 How Does Monkeypox Work? Public health organizations around the world are trying to control this year's outbreaks of monkeypox with vaccination programs. Learn about monkeypox and its vaccines in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/respiratory/monkeypox.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08.25.2022 Project Acoustic Kitty: How Did the CIA Make a Cat a Spy? In the 1960s, the U.S. Central Intellience Agency tried to turn a cat into a cyborg secret agent with implanted audio equipment. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/acoustic-kitty.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08.24.2022 How Do Robot Umpires Work? Some of baseball's minor leagues are already using tech called the automated ball-strike system to help human umpires call pitches more accurately. Learn about these so-called robo-umpires in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/robot-umpires-baseball-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
08.15.2022 Why Are Giant Land Snails Invading Florida Again? Snails the size of your fist are invading central Florida. Learn how this invasive species works in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/giant-african-land-snails-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08.14.2022 BrainStuff Classics: 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 creative types are doomed to poverty -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, ...
08.13.2022 BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Hydrogen Peroxide Bottles Brown? Most hydrogen peroxide sold to consumers comes in opaque brown bottles. Learn why in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/why-does-hydrogen-peroxide-come-in-brown-bottle.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08.12.2022 Why Do Female Songbirds Sing? Most scientific inquiry into birdsong has studied male birds because they're sometimes chattier. Learn what studying female birds might teach us in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/know-why-female-bird-sings.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08.11.2022 How Did a Grudge Match Between States Create the U.S. Constitution? The American Constitution was a hard-fought compromise between states with large and small populations. Learn about the New Jersey Plan vs. the Virgina Plan in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/virginia-plan-vs-new-jersey-plan.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08.10.2022 How Does the Zoo Hypothesis Work? What if we haven't made alien contact because they're keeping Earth like a zoo? It may be unlikely, but learn about the zoo hypothesis in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/space/aliens-ufos/zoo-hypothesis.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08.09.2022 How Do Cooling Fabrics Work? Some clothing and bedding is advertised as 'cooling,' but what does that mean? Do they really work? Learn about how some fabrics can cool you down in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/cooling-fabrics.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
08.08.2022 How Does Lyme Disease Work? Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria spread by ticks, is very treatable when caught early. Learn the symptoms and how to prevent it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/infectious/lyme-disease.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
07.30.2022 BrainStuff Classics: How Does Anxiety Cause Underarm Sweat? Anxiety can cause sweaty palms and armpits -- but why? And how can you combat it? Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/anxiety-cause-underarm-sweat.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
07.29.2022 What Does Space Smell Like? Astronauts report that our little corner of space has a particular scent. Learn what might cause this in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/space-smell.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
07.28.2022 How Were Pregnancy Tests Invented? Humans have been using urine to test for pregnancy for thousands of years -- with the help of wheat, barley, rabbits, and frogs. Learn how reliable home tests became available in 1978 thanks to immunoassay technology in this episode of ...
07.27.2022 What Colors Can Dogs See? Dogs have eyes that are primed to see motion better than color, but they're not colorblind. Learn more about dogs' vision in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/are-dogs-colorblind.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
07.26.2022 How Could Smart Traffic Lights Work? What if traffic lights could adjust for the actual flow of traffic happening at any given moment? Learn how smart, networked technology could help drivers (and pedestrians) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/smart-traffic-lights-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
07.25.2022 Why Do Watermelons Explode Sometimes? Sure, you can get a watermelon to burst by squeezing it with rubber bands, but sometimes this fruit explodes all on its own. Learn how microbes and genetics are responsible in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/exploding-watermelon.htm ...
07.11.2022 How Do Insect Hotels Work? Insect populations are in trouble, but creating shelters for them could help. Learn the basics of building an insect hotel in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/insect-hotel.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
07.10.2022 BrainStuff Classics: Can Your Face's Temperature Reveal Your Mood? Research shows that parts of a person's face grow cooler depending on their mood and stress level. Could this be used to help people in stressful jobs, like pilots? Learn more in this classic BrainStuff episode, based on this article: ...
07.09.2022 How Does Human Conception Work? On a cellular level, a lot goes on from ovulation through the first stages of pregnancy. Learn about the biology of fertilization and implantation in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/conception/conception-process.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
07.08.2022 What Would Happen If Yellowstone's Supervolcano Erupted? The volcano that sits under the surface of Yellowstone National Park could do massive damage, but it isn't likely to erupt anytime soon. Learn more about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/what-if/what-if-yellowstone-supervolcano-erupted.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
07.07.2022 How Did Roe v Wade Work? The Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v Wade in 1973 guaranteed national rights to some types of abortions. Learn how the case was decided and how it was overturned in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://money.howstuffworks.com/10-overturned-supreme-court-cases.htm; https://people.howstuffworks.com/famous-supreme-court-cases.htm ...
07.02.2022 BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Mass Shootings Happening in U.S. Schools? Beyond the U.S. gun control debate, another question deserves examination: Why are schools so frequently the sites of mass gun violence in America? We explore the psychology and potential solutions in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: ...
07.01.2022 How Has Grandma Gatewood Inspired Generations of Hikers? At the age of 67, Emma Gatewood became the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail alone in a single season. Learn her story in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/grandma-gatewood.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
06.30.2022 Should You Turn the Air Conditioner Off While You're Out? Turning your AC's temperature setting up a few degrees can save a lot of money, but turning the unit off isn't usually necessary. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/green-living/should-turn-ac-up.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
06.29.2022 What Did People Feed Babies Before Formula? Infant formula mimicking breastmilk was only invented in the past 150 years, but babies have been hungry forever. Learn what caregivers used to do when breastmilk was unavailable in this episode of BrainStuff: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/baby-health/infant-health/infant-formula-history.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
06.28.2022 How Did the Mona Lisa Get So Popular? Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is a technical masterpiece, but the portrait wasn't famous until centuries after its creation. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/artwork/mona-lisa.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
06.28.2022 How Do Magpies Work? Magpies, though sometimes maligned, are fascinating birds that can recognize themselves in mirrors and have funerary practices. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/magpie.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Older episodes

BrainStuff

What's BrainStuff about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

BrainStuff episodes:

Should You Worry About Nitrates in Your Food?

What Artefacts Has This Summer's Drought Uncovered?

How Did Queen Elizabeth II Fall in Love with Corgis?

What Does Your Pinky Toe Actually Do?

How Do Muskrats Work?

Introducing: The Loudest Girl in the World

How Could Saudi Arabia's Futuristic City 'The Line' Work?

BrainStuff Classics: What Is Breakup Bootcamp?

BrainStuff Classics: What Are Food Deserts?

How Did a Conman Sell the Brooklyn Bridge -- Over and Over?

How Does Gallium Work?

Why Do Animals Sploot?

How Does Doomscrolling Work?

How Did Vikings' Gut Worms Create Today's Lung Disease?

BrainStuff Classics: Who Is The Laughing Buddha?

BrainStuff Classics: Why Is Alzheimers's So Difficult to Treat?

How Can Turning Lights Off Save Birds?

How Do Kangaroos' Pouches Work?

How Does Ectopic Pregnancy Work?

Why Does the Fed Change the Interest Rate?

BrainStuff Classics: How Do Migrating Birds Navigate?

What Size Lottery Jackpot Makes People Play?

How Does Monkeypox Work?

Project Acoustic Kitty: How Did the CIA Make a Cat a Spy?

How Do Robot Umpires Work?

Why Are Giant Land Snails Invading Florida Again?

BrainStuff Classics: Are Artists Hardwired To Be Poor?

BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Hydrogen Peroxide Bottles Brown?

Why Do Female Songbirds Sing?

How Did a Grudge Match Between States Create the U.S. Constitution?

How Does the Zoo Hypothesis Work?

How Do Cooling Fabrics Work?

How Does Lyme Disease Work?

BrainStuff Classics: How Does Anxiety Cause Underarm Sweat?

What Does Space Smell Like?

How Were Pregnancy Tests Invented?

What Colors Can Dogs See?

How Could Smart Traffic Lights Work?

Why Do Watermelons Explode Sometimes?

How Do Insect Hotels Work?

BrainStuff Classics: Can Your Face's Temperature Reveal Your Mood?

How Does Human Conception Work?

What Would Happen If Yellowstone's Supervolcano Erupted?

How Did Roe v Wade Work?

BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Mass Shootings Happening in U.S. Schools?

How Has Grandma Gatewood Inspired Generations of Hikers?

Should You Turn the Air Conditioner Off While You're Out?

What Did People Feed Babies Before Formula?

How Did the Mona Lisa Get So Popular?

How Do Magpies Work?