BrainStuff

These arctic animals have complex social structures and may eat 6,000 clams in a single meal. Learn more walruses in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/walrus.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your adaptive immune system remembers specific germs and fights them really effectively -- but it can sometimes make mistakes and attack your own healthy cells. Learn how the adaptive immune system works (and how it can go wrong) in this episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Discover how the U.S. Navy has utilized bottlenose dolphins since the 1960s for undersea mine detection. Learn about the fascinating training methods that incentivize dolphins to mark mines. Delve into their remarkable echolocation abilities, allowing them to 'see' with sound where mechanical sonar struggles. Explore the ethical considerations surrounding their military use and the ongoing research benefiting both dolphins and human technology. Plus, hear about sea lions' roles in the program and the importance of animal welfare.

Skin acts like castle walls, defending against microbes and UV light. Explore the different layers, including the stratum corneum which forms a flexible, waterproof barrier. Discover how skin retains moisture while preventing water loss, and how monthly cell turnover helps shed invaders. Learn about the immune cells that protect us, the effects of inflammation, and what disrupts this vital barrier. Additionally, delve into conditions like psoriasis and how to maintain skin health as we age, emphasizing gentle care and sun protection.

Discover the fascinating history of Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles, where thousands live in makeshift shelters. Learn about the term's origins linked to Seattle and how Skid Row evolved in urban America. Explore LA's growth fueled by railroads and wartime challenges that created a lasting poverty cycle. Delve into urban renewal efforts and the ongoing struggle against gentrification pressures. Understand the unique services available and the recent legal battles shaping Skid Row's future.