

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

May 25, 2021 • 8min
How Did Allosaurus Work?
This massive Jurassic-era predator may have grazed on flesh the way we pick at cheese plates. Learn about the allosaurus in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/dinosaurs/allosaurus.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 24, 2021 • 6min
Can You Make Weedkillers at Home?
If you struggle with weeds in your home garden or landscaping, you don't have to turn to hazardous commercial herbicides. Learn how to make safer weedkillers at home in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/green-living/natural-weed-killers.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 23, 2021 • 4min
BrainStuff Classics: What Makes Durian Fruit Smell So Bad?
Durian fruit is prized as a delicacy and staple -- and it smells like rotting. Learn how researchers mapped its genome to get to the bottom of this stench (and hopefully find something medicinally useful) in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/durian-smell-origin-genome.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 22, 2021 • 5min
BrainStuff Classics: Is There a Gene for Infidelity?
Some animals mate for life -- and others decidedly don't. Learn what researchers have discovered about cheating by studying voles and humans alike in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/good-excuse-or-is-there-actually-cheating-gene.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 21, 2021 • 7min
How Do Humpback Whales Work?
Humpback whales are back from the brink of extinction thanks to conservation efforts. Learn about their songs, acrobatics, and life cycle in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/humpback-whale.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 20, 2021 • 6min
How Does Hematite Work?
Hematite is a mineral that we've been using for pigments, as a source of iron, and in other applications for pretty much ever. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/hematite.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 19, 2021 • 3min
Do We Really Swallow Spiders in Our Sleep?
You may have heard that we swallow eight spiders a year in our sleep, but is that really true? We debunk this myth in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/arachnids/do-we-swallow-spiders-in-sleep.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 18, 2021 • 7min
How Can Cryptocurrency Clean Up Its Act?
Cryptocurrency has many benefits, but currently comes at a high energy cost -- and a huge, negative environmental impact. Learn what the industry is doing about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/conservation/issues/cryptocurrency-climate-change-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 17, 2021 • 7min
How Have Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Helped Shape Civil and Workers' Rights?
Though they were denied the ability to even apply for citizenship for decades, Asians and Pacific Islanders helped shape civil rights and workers' rights in America. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-traditions/asian-american-history.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 16, 2021 • 6min
BrainStuff Classics: How Is New Laser Technology Discovering Ancient Ruins?
Ancient ruins, long grown over by massive forests, can be found painlessly -- thanks to lasers. Learn how LiDAR is preserving forests and uncovering lost Mayan infrastructure in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/future-tech/scientists-use-lidar-to-discover-massive-lost-mayan-city.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.