BrainStuff

The new full-body scanners used at airports in the United States have caused a huge controversy -- but how do they work? In this episode, Marshall breaks down the science behind full-body scanners, along with the uproar they've caused.

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Given that it's more than 2,000 miles across and without a gas station in sight, driving across Antarctica is a daunting task. Tune in as Marshall Brain explains how it works.

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Both turbo- and super-chargers are forced inductions systems, meaning they compress the air flowing into the engine. This compression causes each cylinder of an engine to produce more power. Check out this HowStuffWorks article to learn more.

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How can the same piece of glass have two different amounts of reflection? Learn more about rearview mirrors in this HowStuffWorks podcast.

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Given California's history of earthquakes and major fault lines, it's not surprising that people speculate about parts of California breaking off into the ocean. Fortunately, seismic forces don't work that way, as Marshall Brain explains in this episode.

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Since astronomers can't actually travel to a star, they rely on two ingenious methods to measure a star's distance from earth. Listen in as Marshall Brain breaks down the science of space measurement in this editor's choice podcast from HowStuffWorks.

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Most modern airplanes have a similar design, but NASA has a plan to move the world of aviation into the future by partnering with the world's airplane manufacturers to radically redesign the typical airplane. Tune in to learn more.

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People across the planet love olive oil, and it's not hard to see why: This tasty liquid lends flavor to hundreds of dishes, and it's been used for thousands of years. But how does it get from the tree to the bottle? Tune in to find out.

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Although 3-dimensional movies have become increasingly popular, numerous viewers have complained of headaches while watching these films. Why? Tune in as HowStuffWorks.com founder Marshall Brain breaks down the science behind 3D films.

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The helium used in balloons is created by uranium interacting with natural gas. Learn more about helium and uranium in this HowStuffWorks podcast.

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