BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

How Big Does a Meteoroid Have to Be to Make It to the Ground? Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

Meteors can put on a spectacular show, but many of the pieces of debris that cause them are the size of pebbles -- or dust. Learn more about meteorites in this episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: How Fast Can Lizards Evolve? Jul 19, 2020

Show notes

Over the course of one frigid winter, green anole lizards in Texas changed their genetic makeup to better tolerate cold. Learn about this example of super-quick vertebrate evolution in today's classic episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: Are There Months When You Shouldn't Eat Raw Oysters? Jul 18, 2020

Show notes

Folk wisdom dictates that you should avoid eating oysters, especially raw, in months that don't contain the letter R in their name. Learn why there's some logic there in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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Why Is There a Parthenon in Nashville? Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

In 1897, a plaster replica of the Parthenon built in Nashville for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition proved so popular that it was rebuilt in a more permanent form. Learn more about Nashville's Parthenon in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Could Science Build a Better Grain? Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

Staple grains, like wheat and rice, can wear out the soil — and most have to be replanted from seed each year. Learn how researchers are seeking to create new varieties (like Kernza) to save the environment in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Where Did the Phrase 'Grandfathered In' Come From? Jul 15, 2020

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Although the term 'grandfathered in' is applied in many situations today, it originally referred to laws about voting rights. Learn the history of this phrase in today's episode of BrainStuff.

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How Do Betta Fish Work? Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

Betta fish are popular aquarium pets, but there are a few common misconceptions about these beautiful critters. Learn how these 'fighting fish' can be peaceful and more in today's episode of BrainStuff.

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Who Were the Wild West's 'Petticoat Rulers'? Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

In 1920, before many women in the U.S. could even vote, a frontier town in Wyoming elected an all-women ticket into office. Learn about the Petticoat Rulers in today's episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: How Did 'Fido' Become a Generic Name for Dogs? Jul 12, 2020

Show notes

We humans have lots of nicknames for dogs -- but how did 'Fido' become one of them? Learn about the history of the term in this episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Goldfish Make Their Own Alcohol? Jul 11, 2020

Show notes

Goldfish can survive in icy lakes and your poorly cleaned aquarium in part because they make their own alcohol. Learn more about how goldfish work in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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