BrainStuff
iHeartPodcasts
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 15, 2022 • 8min
What's the Most Americans Have Paid for Gasoline?
Gas prices have been high recently in the U.S., but the national average has gone higher (once you account for inflation). Learn how gas pricing works in the U.S. and around the world in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-consumption/highest-gas-payment.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 15, 2022 • 5min
How Does Earth's Pulse Work?
Yes, Earth has a pulse: peaks of geologic activity that occur every 27.5 million years, and herald mass extinctions. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/earths-pulse.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 14, 2022 • 7min
Why Didn't Russia Sell Alaska to Canada?
In 1867, Russia sold the territory of Alaska to the United States -- a perhaps confusing move, given that Canada was right next door. Learn how it happened in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/why-didnt-russia-sell-alaska-to-canada.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 12, 2022 • 4min
How Can Hay Fever Cause Food Allergies?
It turns out that compounds in some raw fruits and vegetables mimic the compounds that cause seasonal allergies, and thus make you itchy when you eat them. Learn more about oral allergy syndrome in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/allergies/food-allergy/information/hay-fever-allergic-fruits.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 11, 2022 • 9min
How Does Dolores Huerta Work?
In the 1960s, Dolores Huerta worked alongside Cesar Chavez to create the United Farm Workers union and organize for farmworkers' rights across America. Learn more about her legacy and continuing work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/dolores-huerta.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 10, 2022 • 4min
BrainStuff Classics: How Bad Is It to Run Your Car on Empty?
Your car's empty-tank light can sneak up on you, and it's easy to put off filling up for another day. But are you damaging your car when you do? Learn why it's not good to run your car on empty in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-economy/is-it-bad-to-drive-car-with-nearly-empty-gas-tank.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 9, 2022 • 6min
BrainStuff Classics: Do Doctors' Biases Affect Health Care?
Implicit biases change the way we act without us even realizing it, and doctors aren't immune. Learn how we can identify and change our unconscious biases in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/healthcare/doctors-biases-health-care.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 9, 2022 • 7min
How Does Plutonium Work?
Plutonium may be as misunderstood as it is useful -- and potentially dangerous. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/plutonium.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 8, 2022 • 6min
Can the U.S. Cut Dependence on Foreign Oil?
The United States produces a lot of oil, but we also import (and use) a lot. Learn why oil independence isn't on the horizon yet in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/cut-dependence-foreign-oil.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 6, 2022 • 6min
How Old Are Grocery Store Apples?
The apples you find in your chain grocery store may have been picked a year ago -- but that's OK. Learn about apple storage technology in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/grocery-store-apple-one-year-old.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
