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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.
2526 Episodes
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Governments impose tariffs (which are border taxes paid by the importer) to help protect their nation's businesses from foreign competition. Learn how tariffs work, how they don't work, and why they can actually hurt local businesses and consumers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://money.howstuffworks.com/who-wins-loses-in-trade-war.htm; https://money.howstuffworks.com/who-wins-and-loses-if-us-imposes-steel-tariffs.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We used to think Komodo dragons harbored bacteria in their mouths that made their bites deadly, but it turns out they have venom and iron-tipped teeth to thank. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/komodo-bite.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Some scientists think tectonic plates are a prerequisite for life as we know it. Learn what we know about plate tectonics elsewhere in our solar system in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/is-earth-only-planet-with-tectonic-plates.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It turns out that thin, bendy sheets like paper crumple in predictable ways -- and we can learn a lot from the process. Learn more about the protective physics of crumpling in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/crumple-theory.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Frankincense and myrrh play a part not only in the story of Christmas, but in lots of other religious traditions as well -- and a few practical ones, too. Learn more about these aromatic substances in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this episode: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/question283.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Whether you love it, hate it, or hurl it with a trebuchet, fruitcake holds a dense place in holiday traditions. Learn how it came to be (and where to win prizes for throwing it) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/fruitcake.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Oaxaca, Mexico, a pre-Christmas tradition has hundreds of artists carving radishes into fun and festive figures every Dec. 23. Learn about La Noche de Rábanos in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/mexicos-night-of-radishes.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Evergreens' needles are their leaves, so why don't they change color and drop in the fall? Learn how evergreen leaves work in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/evergreen-trees-dont-shed.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Reptiles and amphibians have all sorts of adaptations for surviving cold weather, even in places where temperatures dip below freezing. Learn how they manage the cold in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement in the 1800s that has had lasting effects in American society. Learn how it worked in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/transcendentalism.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suidice is a serious public health issue in the U.S., but there are lots of things we can do about it. Learn how communities and individuals can help in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/mental-disorders/us-needs-to-have-ongoing-conversation-about-suicide.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When the non-avian dinosaurs died out, a lot of other animals went with them -- but some sturdy species survived. Learn how they evolved and thrived in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/dinosaur-contemporary.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ancient armies set traps of hallucinogenic honey and mead to incapacitate their enemies. Learn how mad honey works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/history-hallucinogenic-mad-honey-warfare.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Supernovae are the spectacular deaths of giant stars -- and they create the elements that make up our universe. Learn how they work and what we learn from them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/supernova.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Poison ivy isn't poisonous -- it causes an allergic reaction that can take days to appear. Learn about poison ivy and how to avoid it in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/poison-ivy.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Frozen meals have become a near-daily part of many people's lives in less than a century. Learn how refrigeration, food science, and television came together to make frozen foods a thing in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/history-tv-dinner.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's relatively common for cars and trains to pass through underwater tunnels, but these structures are marvels of modern engineering. Learn how they're blasted, bored, and built from prefab pieces in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/build-underwater-tunnel.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Platypuses Work?

How Do Platypuses Work?

2024-11-3011:461

This creature's amazing amalgam of traits includes fur like a mammal, webbed feet like a bird, eggs like a reptile, electroreception like a shark, and venom that may teach us how to build better painkillers. Learn more about the platypus in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/platypus-poison.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Almost every type of living creature relies on mucus to help keep itself healthy. Learn what snot can teach us in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/respiratory/mucus.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You can buy all kinds of fancy meat thermometers, but many turkeys are packaged with a simple pop-up timer that tells you when the bird is done. Learn how they work (and why Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving in the first place) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/pop-up-timer.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Comments (83)

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

PlusCH3

This is really cool! #TIL #LifeHack #MentalHealth

Aug 1st
Reply

Cole Davison

Funny how Snowden is slyly lumped in with enemies of America....

Jun 18th
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