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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How Do Wolf Packs Work?

05.31.2023

Terms like 'alpha wolf' are misleading -- in the wild, wolf packs are ruled by the wolves' parents, not through a pecking order. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/wolf-pack-mentality.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BrainStuff episodes:

05.31.2023 How Do Wolf Packs Work? Terms like 'alpha wolf' are misleading -- in the wild, wolf packs are ruled by the wolves' parents, not through a pecking order. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/wolf-pack-mentality.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
05.30.2023 How Does Einsteinium Work? Einsteinium is a heavy, radioactive element that only exists on Earth when humans create it. Learn how it was first discovered and what we're still learning about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/einsteinium.htm See omnystudio.com/listener ...
05.28.2023 BrainStuff Classics: How Effective Are Bulletproof Vests? Bulletproof vests have certainly saved lives, but exactly how bulletproof are they? Learn what they're made of and how they can fail to protect wearers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/how-bulletproof-are-bulletproof-vests.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
05.27.2023 Introducing: On the Job, Episode 4 We've teamed up with the podcast On the Job to bring you a preview of episode 4: If You Build A Pizza Oven, They Will Come. Jake Wright is a self-described rambling pizza rover. After a failed attempt at a ...
05.26.2023 How Was an American Mercenary Briefly President of Nicaragua? Before the U.S. Civil War, American mercenaries called 'filibusters' attempted to claim territory in Mexico and Central America for themselves. Learn about the well-deserved fate of one William Walker in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/william-walker.htm See ...
05.25.2023 Why Do We Call It a 'Piggyback Ride'? The etymology of the term 'piggyback' goes back to the 1500s, when it had nothing to do with pigs. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/piggyback-ride.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
05.21.2023 BrainStuff Classics: Why Did People Once Rob Graves for Science? In the United Kingdom in the 1800s, anatomists wanted to study real bodies, but laws and cultural stigma made bodies hard to come by. Learn how the shocking Burke & Hare murder trials changed that in this episode of BrainStuff, ...
05.20.2023 Introducing: On the Job, Episode 3 We've teamed up with the podcast On the Job to bring you a preview of episode 3: Four Decades and Counting. Meet Terri Weldon, who has been working for Express Employment Professionals for over 40 years. She shares her secrets ...
05.19.2023 How Did Utahraptor Work? The Utahraptor was the largest known raptor -- up to 800 pounds, about the size of a large black bear or small grizzly. Learn how salt helped preserve their fossils in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/dinosaurs/utahraptor.htm ...
05.17.2023 Who Is the Legendary Green Man? Artists and sculptors have adorned their work with foliate heads for over a thousand years, but the myth of the Green Man only goes back a century. Learn how this motif became an icon in today's episode of BrainStuff, based ...
05.15.2023 How Did Cleopatra Work? Many of our ideas about Cleopatra are based in contemporary propaganda and later pop culture, from Shakespeare to cinema. Learn the truth behind some of these myths in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/cleopatra.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
05.13.2023 Introducing: On the Job, Episode 2 We've teamed up with the podcast On the Job to bring you a preview of episode 2: A Mother to the Rescue. As a thrill seeker and born caretaker, Aysia Bly found her dream job as a pediatric flight nurse ...
05.12.2023 BrainStuff Classics: Why Did Fruit Evolve in Different Colors? Brightly colored fruit stands out against green leaves, but why is some red or pink, while others skew yellow or purple? And why are some fruits smellier than others? Learn what new research says about fruits' evolution in this episode ...
05.09.2023 How Did Art Help Spin the Civil War? In the late 1800s, a Georgian businessman retooled a giant painting of the Battle of Atlanta to portray the South winning. Learn the history of this epic cyclorama -- and where you can see it today -- in this episode ...
05.08.2023 What Can Cause a Late or Missed Period? You can miss a period for lots of reasons other than pregnancy. Learn how stress (be it mental or physical), illness, and other factors can prevent menstruation in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/conception/5-common-reasons-for-late-period.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
05.07.2023 Why Don't All Cans Have Pull-Tabs? Cans make preserving and transporting food and drinks simple, but canning technology is very complex. Learn the history of pull-tabs and can openers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/food-cans-pull-tabs.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
05.06.2023 Introducing: On the Job, Season 7 We’ve teamed up with the podcast On the Job to bring you a preview of their new season. In this first episode, ‘Now’s the Time’, economist, author, and baseball fan Michael Walden gives us a macro look at an economy ...
05.05.2023 Why Is AAPI Heritage Month Celebrated in May? Every May, the U.S. celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in recognition of the contributions of this diverse group, past and present. Learn how two women campaigned to get it started in this episode of BrainStuff, based on ...
05.02.2023 Can Parasitic Worms Control Snails' Minds? A genus of flatworms called banded broodsacs have a lifecycle that seems to involve purposefully getting eaten first by snails and then by birds, using a combination of biomimicry and biohacking. Learn about Leucochloridium worms in this episode of BrainStuff, ...
04.30.2023 BrainStuff Classics: 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, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/who-invented-the-computer.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.29.2023 BrainStuff Classics: Why Is Elephants' Skin So Wrinkly? Elephants have a thick hide that's wrinkled from birth, but why? Learn about the research that's revealed the secrets to elephant skin in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/scientists-figure-out-why-elephants-skin-so-cracked.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.28.2023 What's the World's Skinniest Skyscraper? The world's slimmest skyscraper is in New York City, where it's less than one-third of the width of comparable buildings. Learn about Steinway Tower in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/architecture/steinway-tower-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.27.2023 How Did Hazardous Nuclear Testing Help Science? Aboveground nuclear weapons testing in the 1950s and '60s has exposed every living thing on Earth to harmful radiation -- but has also made dating the remains of living things much more accurate. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, ...
04.26.2023 Why Does Your Stomach Growl? Sometimes our guts rumble when we're hungry, and sometimes when we're full. What gives? Learn about the digestive system and borborygmus in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/digestive/stomach-growling.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.25.2023 Why Do Some People Believe Conspiracy Theories? Buying into disproven conspiracy theories has been scientifically linked with a few unhelpfully human patterns of thought, including illusory pattern perception and confirmation bias. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/conspiracy-theorists-brains-really-are-different.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
04.24.2023 What's the History of License Plates? Motor vehicle license plates have been in use since 1903 in the U.S., and they've changed a lot over the years, from lifetime leather plates to newfangled digital ones. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: ...
04.17.2023 How Can Glass on the Moon Contain Water? Researchers have found tiny glass beads on the moon, created by meteorite strikes, with droplets of water attached. Learn how they work -- and how we might be able to harvest that water -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based ...
04.16.2023 BrainStuff Classics: 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.15.2023 How Did Hedy Lamarr Change Communications Technology? Hollywood bombshell Hedy Lamarr was as interested in engineering as she was in acting, but she's only recently been recognized for her scientific contributions. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this episode: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/famous-inventors/hedy-lamarr.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
04.14.2023 How Do Maraschino Cherries Work? https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-science/maraschino-cherries.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.13.2023 Why Are Fingerprints (Almost) Unique? Even identical twins have different fingerprints -- that's because more than just genetics goes into their formation. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/why-even-identical-twins-have-different-fingerprints.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.12.2023 What's the Legacy of African American Spirituals? The spirituals created by enslaved African Americans as a means of expression and communication have impacted both artistic and social movements throughout U.S. history. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-traditions/slave-spiritual-music.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
04.09.2023 BrainStuff Classics: Why Can't You Reach the End of a Rainbow? Rainbows may look like they touch the ground somewhere off in the distance, but it's physically impossible for the viewer to reach the spot where it touches. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.08.2023 How Does the Martini Glass Work? This angular, stemmed glass has been synonymous with the martini cocktail for nearly a hundred years. Learn more about the history of both the martini glass and cocktail in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/martini-glass.htm See omnystudio.com/listener ...
04.07.2023 What's Happening When You Get the Wind Knocked Out of You? When you get the wind knocked out of you, your normally automatic breathing system is being temporarily interrupted. Learn how phrenospasm works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/respiratory/wind-knocked-out.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.06.2023 Are There Alien Asteroids in Our Midst? Researchers have identified at least one asteroid from another sun that's been hanging out in our solar system for billions of years. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/alien-asteroids-been-lurking-in-solar-system-since-beginning.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.05.2023 How Did the Radium Girls Change Workers' Rights? In the early 1900s, women who fell deathly ill from working with radioactive paint fought back when their employers denied responsibility. They changed workers' safety laws -- though many didn't live to see the results. Learn more in this episode ...
04.02.2023 BrainStuff Classics: Is Coconut Oil a 'Superfood' or 'Pure Poison'? Recent health claims about coconut oil range from 'superfood' to 'pure poison'. Learn why the truth is somewhere in between in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/coconut-oils-superfood-pure-or-poison.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.01.2023 How Does Historical Cryptology Work? To crack ciphers written centuries ago, historical cryptologists have to be half artist, half accountant, and use some of the most powerful computing tools known today. Learn how a team cracked Mary, Queen of Scots's code in this episode of ...
03.31.2023 Why Do We Turn Down the Radio When We're Lost? Even seemingly passive activities (like listening to music) can interrupt our brains while we're doing something important (like driving). Learn why we're so bad at multitasking in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/turn-down-radio-when-lost.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
03.30.2023 Introducing: Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Hi, BrainStuff fans! Listen to Inner Cosmos hosted by David Eagleman! Neuroscientist David Eagleman tackles the big and totally unexpected questions that live at the intersection of our brains and our lives. Don't just take our word for it, check ...
03.30.2023 How Did Trepanation Work? One of the earliest, most common medical treatments in history (and prehistory!) involved drilling a hole in the patient's skull. Learn more about trepaning in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/surgeries-procedures/trepanation.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
03.29.2023 Are Hammerhead Worms Really Dangerous? These large, land-dwelling flatworms are invasive and toxic -- but they're not dangerous (unless you eat a lot of them, or happen to be an earthworm). Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/hammerhead-worms.htm See omnystudio.com/listener ...
03.28.2023 How Did Some Enslaved People Sue for Their Freedom — and Win? In 1781, Elizabeth Freeman successfully sued her enslaver for her own freedom. Learn how freedom suits worked pre- and post-American Revolution in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/mum-bett.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
03.09.2023 Why Do Wine Bottles Have Dents in the Bottom? Short answer: No one is sure. But it may have once been practical during production, and the dents (a.k.a. punts) in wine bottles are certainly useful now. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/wine-bottle-dent-bottom.htm See ...
03.08.2023 How Will the Oxford Dictionary of African American English Work? A team of experts has come together to create a scholarly work that's long overdue: a dictionary detailing the historical and modern use of African American English. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/oxford-dictionary-african-american-english.htm See ...
03.07.2023 Who's the Inventor Behind Tang, Pop Rocks, and Cool Whip? During his 35-year career with General Foods, William Mitchell invented some of America's favorite, fun, and time-saving junk foods. From quick-set Jell-O to Cool Whip, learn how he did it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/famous-inventors/meet-man-invented-cool-whip-tang.htm ...
03.06.2023 BrainStuff Classics: 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 classic episode of BrainStuff, based on ...
03.05.2023 BrainStuff Classics: 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 classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
03.04.2023 Why Is the French Baguette Being Honored? In France, the baguette isn't just the most popular type of bread -- it's an artisan product that's become a social keystone. Learn how French laws and UNESCO are upholding its traditions in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this ...

Older episodes

BrainStuff

What's BrainStuff about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

BrainStuff episodes:

How Do Wolf Packs Work?

How Does Einsteinium Work?

BrainStuff Classics: How Effective Are Bulletproof Vests?

Introducing: On the Job, Episode 4

How Was an American Mercenary Briefly President of Nicaragua?

Why Do We Call It a 'Piggyback Ride'?

BrainStuff Classics: Why Did People Once Rob Graves for Science?

Introducing: On the Job, Episode 3

How Did Utahraptor Work?

Who Is the Legendary Green Man?

How Did Cleopatra Work?

Introducing: On the Job, Episode 2

BrainStuff Classics: Why Did Fruit Evolve in Different Colors?

How Did Art Help Spin the Civil War?

What Can Cause a Late or Missed Period?

Why Don't All Cans Have Pull-Tabs?

Introducing: On the Job, Season 7

Why Is AAPI Heritage Month Celebrated in May?

Can Parasitic Worms Control Snails' Minds?

BrainStuff Classics: What Was the First Computer?

BrainStuff Classics: Why Is Elephants' Skin So Wrinkly?

What's the World's Skinniest Skyscraper?

How Did Hazardous Nuclear Testing Help Science?

Why Does Your Stomach Growl?

Why Do Some People Believe Conspiracy Theories?

What's the History of License Plates?

How Can Glass on the Moon Contain Water?

BrainStuff Classics: How Can Sunlight Make You Sneeze?

How Did Hedy Lamarr Change Communications Technology?

How Do Maraschino Cherries Work?

Why Are Fingerprints (Almost) Unique?

What's the Legacy of African American Spirituals?

BrainStuff Classics: Why Can't You Reach the End of a Rainbow?

How Does the Martini Glass Work?

What's Happening When You Get the Wind Knocked Out of You?

Are There Alien Asteroids in Our Midst?

How Did the Radium Girls Change Workers' Rights?

BrainStuff Classics: Is Coconut Oil a 'Superfood' or 'Pure Poison'?

How Does Historical Cryptology Work?

Why Do We Turn Down the Radio When We're Lost?

Introducing: Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman

How Did Trepanation Work?

Are Hammerhead Worms Really Dangerous?

How Did Some Enslaved People Sue for Their Freedom — and Win?

Why Do Wine Bottles Have Dents in the Bottom?

How Will the Oxford Dictionary of African American English Work?

Who's the Inventor Behind Tang, Pop Rocks, and Cool Whip?

BrainStuff Classics: Could a Giant Squid Take Down a Submarine?

BrainStuff Classics: How Do Our Bones Grow?

Why Is the French Baguette Being Honored?