BrainStuff

By iHeartRadio

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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BrainStuff Classics: How Do...

04.04.2021

Snot is a crucial part of our immune system, and boogers are a byproduct of that system. Learn how they form (plus, why eating them might be advantageous) in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/nose-throat/boogers-form-in-nose.htm Learn ...

BrainStuff episodes:

04.04.2021 BrainStuff Classics: How Do Boogers Form? Snot is a crucial part of our immune system, and boogers are a byproduct of that system. Learn how they form (plus, why eating them might be advantageous) in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/nose-throat/boogers-form-in-nose.htm Learn ...
04.03.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Some Sea Turtles Hatching Almost All Female? A sea turtle's sex is determined by the temperature where it hatches, and the Great Barrier Reef is warmer than ever before. Learn what this could mean in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/sea-turtles-great-barrier-reef-turning-99-percent-female.htm Learn more ...
04.02.2021 Why Do Most People Have 46 Chromosomes? Chromosomes contain the DNA that codes our very existence, and most people have 23 pairs. Learn how they work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/23-pairs-chromosomes.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
04.01.2021 What Was the Great Moon Hoax of 1835? In the early 1800s, a set of newspaper articles had people across America believing a civilization had been found on the moon. Learn how it happened in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/ridiculous-history-the-great-moon-hoax-1835.htm Learn more about your ...
03.31.2021 How Do Capybaras Work? This characteristically chill, friendly animal is the largest rodent in the world. Learn more about the capybara in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/capybara.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.30.2021 How Does Tabasco Sauce Work? Tabasco brand hot sauce is the most popular in the U.S., and it's been made pretty much the same way for 150 years. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tabasco-sauce-red-stick.htm Learn more about your ad-choices ...
03.29.2021 How Did Jean Macnamara Help Vanquish Polio? In the early 1900s, Australian doctor Jean Macnamara helped the world learn how polio works -- and helped patients rehabilitate. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/-jean-macnamara.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.28.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Is There a Better Alternative to Cash Bail? Cash bail punishes the poor by setting a high price on freedom -- literally. But are there any better alternatives? We explore in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/cash-bail-punishes-poor-but-whats-alternative.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.27.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Where Did Middle Names Come From? Having a first, middle, and last name is common in the West, but this wasn't always the case. Learn the history of middle names in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/why-do-have-middle-names.htm Learn more about your ad-choices ...
03.26.2021 When Was a Battle Fought Over Eggs? During the Gold Rush, San Francisco's food supply chains couldn't keep up -- and enterprising hunters turned to the eggs of a seabird called the common murre. Learn about the resulting Egg War in this episode of BrainStuff, based on ...
03.25.2021 How Did Anna May Wong Fight Racism On- and Off-Screen? Anna May Wong was one of the film industry's first Chinese-American actresses, but her success was hard-won. Learn about Wong's life and work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/anna-may-wong.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.24.2021 Why Do 17-Year Cicadas Appear Almost Every Year? Some groups of cicadas spend 13 or even 17 years underground in between massive, noisy emergences. Learn about their life cycle and how cicada broods work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/why-17-year-cicadas-come-more-than-17-years.htm/printable Learn more about your ...
03.23.2021 Why Was 1816 the Year With No Summer? In 1815, a massive volcanic eruption kicked off three years of climate chaos across the Northern hemisphere. Learn about some of the surprising effects in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/200-years-ago-we-had-a-year-a-summer.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at ...
03.22.2021 What Is the World's Oldest Book? Books are both fragile physical objects and conceptual works as eternal as storytelling itself. Learn about the quest to find the oldest book in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/literature/oldest-book-in-the-world.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.21.2021 BrainStuff Classics: How Does Cuttlefish Camouflage Work? Researchers have found that cuttlefish's ability to change their color and texture at will is incredibly energy efficient. Learn why -- and how technology might copy this ability -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/cuttlefish-masters-camouflage-have-newly-discovered-super-power.htm ...
03.20.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Stars and Planets Nearly Spherical? Planets and stars are basically spheres, but why? We explore the science in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/why-are-planets-almost-spherical.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.19.2021 How Do Belly Buttons Work? We're not just navel gazing -- belly buttons are seriously fascinating. Learn how they work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/parts/5-things-didnt-know-about-belly-button.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.18.2021 The Firm vs. the Family: How Does the British Monarchy Work? The British monarchy is both a family and a sweeping institution with economic and political ties. Learn more about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/genealogy/firm-vs-royal-family.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.17.2021 How Has COVID-19 Changed How We Mourn? Not being able to conduct the normal rituals of grieving during the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way our society considers grief altogether. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/covid-19-mourn.htm Learn more about your ad-choices ...
03.16.2021 What Reptiles Are Most Endangered? Cute, fuzzy mammals often get all the attention (and funding) when they land on endangered species lists, but now reptiles are getting an equal spotlight. Learn about the effort to identify and preserve these animals in today's episode of BrainStuff. ...
03.15.2021 Who Was Ada Lovelace, the Enchantress of Numbers? Ada Lovelace was the world's first computer programmer. Learn about her life and work with Charles Babbage on an analytical engine in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.14.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Do Female Praying Mantises Really Decapitate Mates? The female praying mantis: maneater or misaligned? Learn the science behind this popular semi-myth in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.13.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Could Humans Control Volcanic Eruptions? Spoiler alert: Not yet. But researchers are working on it. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.12.2021 Who Invented Macaroni and Cheese? People like pasta and people like cheese, so is there a single origin story for mac and cheese? Learn how this dish was developed in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.11.2021 Can We Tell Whether a Dinosaur Was Male or Female? We can learn a lot from dinosaur fossils, but the sex of the animal in question is frequently a mystery. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.10.2021 How Does the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Work? The Johnson & Johnson vaccine for COVID-19 is a one-dose viral vector vaccine that's about as effective as the mRNA vaccines available. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.09.2021 Why Did Germany Have to Sacrifice Sausages to Fly Zeppelins? During World War I, German forces flew menacing zeppelin airships into war zones -- but they had to give up a lot of sausages to do it. Learn why zeppelins and sausage were both made with cow intestines in this ...
03.08.2021 Who Was Sacagawea? At the age of 17 and toting her infant son, Sacagawea was instrumental to the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s. Learn more about her life in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ...
03.07.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Does Hot Yoga Need to Be So Hot? Do students of hot yoga, who practice at 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), reap more health benefits than room-temperature practitioners? Learn what the research says in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.06.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Humans Dream? The human brain is full of mysteries, and why we dream is a big one. Learn the leading theories about why we dream in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.05.2021 How Do Badgers Work? The term 'badger' refers to a number of animals in the weasel family with some amazing skills. Learn more about badgers in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.04.2021 Did Women Really Burn Their Bras During Protests? If you picture a demonstration for the Women's Liberation movement of the 1960s and '70s, do you picture protestors burning their bras? Learn how this myth got started in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.03.2021 What Happens When Plants Bloom Early? Warm winters and early springs can lead to trees and other flowering plants blooming earlier than expected. Learn why a subsequent frost is the real danger, and how to protect against it, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about ...
03.02.2021 How Does Breadfruit Work? Breadfruit is a starchy staple food in tropical areas where it grows, delicious in both savory and sweet dishes. Learn more about breadfruit in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
03.01.2021 What Does It Take to Freeze a Waterfall? Even large waterfalls like Niagara can appear to ice over, but it takes prolonged, extremely cold weather to actually freeze a falls. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.28.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Can Autonomous Vehicles Break the Speed Limit? In the incredible future, robots may be able to drive your car -- but will they be able to speed? Today's self-driving cars can. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.27.2021 BrainStuff Classics: How Could an Ice Cream Not Melt? Researchers and chefs in Japan have invented an ice cream that doesn't melt on sunny days -- and it's all thanks to deformed strawberries. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.26.2021 Introducing: Black Cowboys Zaron Burnett’s dad didn’t want slavery to be his son’s only image of Black people in American history. So every night, he filled Zaron’s dreams with these incredible stories of Black cowboys. Despite what Hollywood taught us, one-in-four cowboys were ...
02.26.2021 How Accurate Is 'Bridgerton'? The Netflix series 'Bridgerton' portrays life and love in Regency England. Learn what it got right about the era and what it took liberties with in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.25.2021 What If the Earth Stopped Spinning? Our planet would be a very different place if it didn't rotate. Learn why the Earth spins -- and what it might look like if it slowly stopped -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at ...
02.24.2021 What Is the Wilhelm Scream? Movies and other media often use stock sound effects to avoid the cost of recording new ones, but a particular scream has become a Hollywood in-joke. Learn where the Wilhelm scream comes from in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more ...
02.23.2021 How Smart Are Dolphins? Dolphins are incredibly intelligent -- in some ways, they can mentally outperform chimpanzees. Learn about some of their amazing capabilities in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.22.2021 Why Do Songs Get Stuck in Your Head? Ever had a song or commercial jingle on repeat in your head for days? Learn how earworms work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.21.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Could Human Waste Feed Astronauts? It sounds gross, but stick with us: Researchers are working on recycling astronauts' waste into food for edible stuff. Learn how (and why) in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.20.2021 BrainStuff Classics: Can Magic Mushrooms Help Stop Depression? Although psychedelic drugs are largely recreational these days, scientists are looking into potential therapeutic uses -- especially in patients for whom nothing else works. Learn how psilocybin may fight depression in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ...
02.19.2021 Can a Dripping Faucet Really Prevent Pipe Damage? Yes, keeping a faucet dripping can help prevent pipes from bursting during freezing weather. Learn why -- and how to best accomplish this -- in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.18.2021 When Can You Claim Defamation? When something you write or say causes harm to someone else, that's defamation -- maybe. Learn about the legal considerations and qualifications involved in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.17.2021 How Can Pit Vipers 'See' Heat? Pit vipers are a category of snakes that have specialized organs that can sense infrared radiation (heat!) from nearby animals. Learn more about these fascinating snakes in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.16.2021 Where Does the Vice President Live? The White House famously houses the U.S. president, but the VP has a historical place to call home, too. Learn about Number One Observatory Drive in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
02.15.2021 Will a Second Bump to the Head Really Cure Amnesia? Spoiler alert: Nope. Learn where the pervasive myth about a blow to the skull causing and curing amnesia came from in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Older episodes

BrainStuff

What's BrainStuff about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

BrainStuff episodes:

BrainStuff Classics: How Do Boogers Form?

BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Some Sea Turtles Hatching Almost All Female?

Why Do Most People Have 46 Chromosomes?

What Was the Great Moon Hoax of 1835?

How Do Capybaras Work?

How Does Tabasco Sauce Work?

How Did Jean Macnamara Help Vanquish Polio?

BrainStuff Classics: Is There a Better Alternative to Cash Bail?

BrainStuff Classics: Where Did Middle Names Come From?

When Was a Battle Fought Over Eggs?

How Did Anna May Wong Fight Racism On- and Off-Screen?

Why Do 17-Year Cicadas Appear Almost Every Year?

Why Was 1816 the Year With No Summer?

What Is the World's Oldest Book?

BrainStuff Classics: How Does Cuttlefish Camouflage Work?

BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Stars and Planets Nearly Spherical?

How Do Belly Buttons Work?

The Firm vs. the Family: How Does the British Monarchy Work?

How Has COVID-19 Changed How We Mourn?

What Reptiles Are Most Endangered?

Who Was Ada Lovelace, the Enchantress of Numbers?

BrainStuff Classics: Do Female Praying Mantises Really Decapitate Mates?

BrainStuff Classics: Could Humans Control Volcanic Eruptions?

Who Invented Macaroni and Cheese?

Can We Tell Whether a Dinosaur Was Male or Female?

How Does the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Work?

Why Did Germany Have to Sacrifice Sausages to Fly Zeppelins?

Who Was Sacagawea?

BrainStuff Classics: Does Hot Yoga Need to Be So Hot?

BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Humans Dream?

How Do Badgers Work?

Did Women Really Burn Their Bras During Protests?

What Happens When Plants Bloom Early?

How Does Breadfruit Work?

What Does It Take to Freeze a Waterfall?

BrainStuff Classics: Can Autonomous Vehicles Break the Speed Limit?

BrainStuff Classics: How Could an Ice Cream Not Melt?

Introducing: Black Cowboys

How Accurate Is 'Bridgerton'?

What If the Earth Stopped Spinning?

What Is the Wilhelm Scream?

How Smart Are Dolphins?

Why Do Songs Get Stuck in Your Head?

BrainStuff Classics: Could Human Waste Feed Astronauts?

BrainStuff Classics: Can Magic Mushrooms Help Stop Depression?

Can a Dripping Faucet Really Prevent Pipe Damage?

When Can You Claim Defamation?

How Can Pit Vipers 'See' Heat?

Where Does the Vice President Live?

Will a Second Bump to the Head Really Cure Amnesia?

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