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BrainStuff

Author: iHeartPodcasts

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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.
2609 Episodes
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Slime molds are collectives of single-celled organisms that don't have neurons, much less brains, but they can move, solve mazes, and remember where food is located. Learn what we know (and don't know!) about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/biology-fields/slime-mold-facts.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Although there can be small differences, all of these are local names for the same species of cat, Puma concolor. Learn about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/cougar-vs-mountain-lion.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the early 1500s, a sailor by the name of Amerigo Vespucci published lurid pamphlets about his travels to a distant continent. Learn how a pair of mapmakers regretted naming that continent after him in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/amerigo-vespucci.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Americans eat a LOT of turkey around the winter holidays, but why? Learn about turkey's festive history and when we eat the most of it in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/turkey-popularity.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Powerful events on the surface of the sun, like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, produce radiation and magnetic waves that could indeed affect electrical and communications systems here on Earth -- though they'd have to be massive. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-flare-electronics.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The U.S. Navy has been training bottlenose dolphins for operations like detecting undersea mines and guarding vessels since the 1960s. Learn about the Marine Mammal Program in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/dolphin-disarm-sea-mine.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our skin is our first line of defense as we move through the world, providing both a physical barrier and an immune barrier against microbes and other dangers that could make us sick. Learn how the skin barrier works in this episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In downtown Los Angeles, the 50-block neighborhood called Skid Row is home to thousands of low-income people who live in tents, run-down hotels, and other temporary shelters on a permanent basis. Learn how Skid Row came about (and has persisted) in such a wealthy place in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/skid-row.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hoshigaki are a type of dried fruit made by massaging a persimmon every day for weeks. Learn more about this traditional Japanese treat in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/hoshigaki.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Psoriasis is a condition where an overactive immune system causes discomfort and discoloration of the skin. Learn what we know (and don't know!) about how psoriasis works in this episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Unlike other languages, modern English doesn't have a second-person plural pronoun. Learn how 'y'all' is stepping up in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/yall.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Short answer: Very carefully. Learn about the history and modern practices of paleoart in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We can't prove whether the Winchester Mystery House is really haunted, but it was definitely built for ghosts. Learn the story of how its strange construction was one woman's unending quest in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/afterlife/winchester-mystery-house.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The number 666 has been adopted by modern horror media as a demonic symbol, but what (or whom) does this number really refer to? Learn about the Book of Revelation and ancient wordplay via numbers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/666.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Piranhas are very efficient eaters, but their frothing feeding frenzy seen in horror movies is mostly based on a myth started by Theodore Roosevelt. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/piranha-eat-cows.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Turkey, a set of prehistoric columns rivals Stonehenge -- but they're 6,000 years older. Learn what we know (and don't know) about the hunter-gatherers who built Göbekli Tepe in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/european-history/gobekli-tepe.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This blockbuster style of hot sauce started with the Huy Fong brand, but that original 'rooster sauce' is often out of stock. Learn how a combo of weather and legal drama are at the root in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/sriracha.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Levee systems make it possible for us to live alongside bodies of water with less danger of flooding. Learn how engineers design them -- and why levees sometimes fail -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/levee.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Socialism and communism are often mentioned in the same breath, and they do share a common history, but socialists aren't necessarily communists -- and vice versa. Learn more about both concepts and how they've been put into practice in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/socialism-vs-communism.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our bodies can often prevent us from catching the same illness twice, and vaccines use that bodily system to prevent us from getting sick in the first place. Learn how the immune response works, what goes into vaccines, and why vaccines are safe for kids in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/preventive-care/vaccine.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Comments (86)

Salman Saad

. ,. , c,. ৷ ৷৷ ৷ চ

Aug 27th
Reply

Lydon Isaia

LYDON ISAIAH

May 9th
Reply

Blue Dude

I wish you guys had longer episodes

Jan 19th
Reply

Jeri Bitney

thank you for ending this episode with the reminder to vote.

Aug 25th
Reply

GunsDontKill

Just stick to what you're good with.

Apr 4th
Reply

David Sklar

z

Jan 18th
Reply

Fatemeh Mosalanezhad

چرا هیچی نمیفهمم

Jul 31st
Reply

Nadia Bayrami

too many ads🤦🏻‍♀️

Jul 29th
Reply

Josh Gehringer

Liberal Propaganda Warning ⚠️

Apr 12th
Reply

Matthew Rowley

pppppp) m

Mar 3rd
Reply

Josh Gehringer

He sure takes credit if it goes down 🤣

Nov 11th
Reply

PlusCH3

How did I not know most of these cool properties and uses of #gallium? 🤯 #TIL

Sep 8th
Reply

ID21221423

"What to do when you run out of baby formula" is sadly lacking piece. It neglects to mention goat milk as an adequate replacement for cow milk when babies do not have formula. It also neglects to provide the truth that there are ways to create homemade baby formula as stop-gap measures and there are approved recipes available in books like "nourishing traditions". Of course it does not approach the idea of providing women with maternity leave and adequate financial support so they can stay home and nurse and raise their own children instead of feeding the Paradigm of Capitalism under the guise of "liberation" for the women of America instead.

May 28th
Reply

Lori Watts

I’d listen to more episodes but I just can’t stand to hear that SAME Geico ad again. It’s almost as long as the content.

Mar 12th
Reply

Steve & Janet Nassr

5

Mar 3rd
Reply

mohamad sadegh

very good padcast! <3

Jan 22nd
Reply

PlusCH3

Absolutely EVERYONE should listen to this episode #survival #TIL #lifetips

Nov 22nd
Reply

Bryan/DexCaliber

very informative 👍

Sep 10th
Reply

Franco M

Garbage... all she does is read articles in a monotone.. I made it thru 1 but only half of this one

Aug 15th
Reply

J

this podcast sounds terrible

Aug 12th
Reply