BrainStuff

Museums and movies alike feature representations of dinosaurs, but how can we reconstruct their appearance from a bunch of million-year-old fossils? Learn what we can (and can't) glean from the fossil record in this episode of BrainStuff.

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One unpleasant effect of drinking alcohol can be the collection of symptoms known as a hangover -- a pulsing headache, dry mouth, nausea, and more. Learn what's actually happening to your body -- and whether there's any way to fix or prevent it -- in this episode of BrainStuff.

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The two aren't interchangeable -- baking powder consists of baking soda plus other stuff. Learn how both work -- and how to make baking powder from soda -- in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Spoiler alert: Yep, Dr. Seuss modeled the Grinch on himself. Learn how the generally joyful writer created such an infamous sourpuss in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Champagne is a type of sparkling wine made under a particular set of rules to protect it from imitators -- but it wasn't always so prized. Learn the history and science of what goes into a bottle of bubbles in this episode of BrainStuff.

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The tradition of dropping a ball in Times Square to mark the beginning of a new year only goes back about a century. Learn about the history -- plus four weird things that other cities drop instead -- in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Though it started as a symbol of nuclear disarmament, the peace sign has grown to apply to (and be applied to) all kinds of things -- but the creator didn't mind; he'd hoped it'd take off. Learn the history of the peace sign in this episode of BrainStuff.

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It’s true – some people hear colors, or taste words. Learn how synesthesia works in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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There's a lot of natural variation in the color of human hair. Learn the physical explanation for the difference in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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We all know "stop, drop, and roll," but a new fire safety tip is equally important: "close before you doze". Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff.

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