BrainStuff

College spring break has brought millions of students to Southern beaches and cities to party, but how did this tradition get started? And what are the alternatives?

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Research indicates that sleep is one of the many factors in how our bodies create, store, and burn fat. We explore (and offer a few tips for getting the most out of your sleep) in this episode of BrainStuff.

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When people die without family, or without identification, their local government lays them to rest. Learn about these fascinating traditions and how they've developed over the centuries in this episode of BrainStuff. 

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Seawater is salty because of several quirks in Earth's water cycle. Learn the reasons why in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Trying potential medical treatments on animals was once the best that science could do, but new technologies could make animal testing obsolete. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff.

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China has long bought waste plastic for recycling from North America and Europe, but their policies are changing. What can we do with a surplus of waste, and how can we make the situation better in the future?

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Some fish that strut the seafloor share a common ancestor with humans, so researchers are hoping that studying these fish could help us understand how we walk. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Any high-tech car feature that takes your attention away from the road is a distraction, but are even our automatic safety systems actually making driving more dangerous? We explore in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Snot is a crucial part of our immune system and sinus health, and boogers are a byproduct of that system. Learn how they form (plus, why eating them might be advantageous) in this episode of BrainStuff.

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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 episode of BrainStuff.

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