BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

How Can Dolphins Detect Sea Mines? Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

The U.S. Navy has been training bottlenose dolphins for operations like detecting undersea mines and guarding vessels since the 1960s. Learn about the Marine Mammal Program in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/dolphin-disarm-sea-mine.htm

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How Does the Skin Barrier Work? Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Our skin is our first line of defense as we move through the world, providing both a physical barrier and an immune barrier against microbes and other dangers that could make us sick. Learn how the skin barrier works in this episode of BrainStuff.

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What's the History of Skid Row? Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

In downtown Los Angeles, the 50-block neighborhood called Skid Row is home to thousands of low-income people who live in tents, run-down hotels, and other temporary shelters on a permanent basis. Learn how Skid Row came about (and has persisted) in such a wealthy place in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/skid-row.htm

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How Do You Make Hoshigaki? Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

Hoshigaki are a type of dried fruit made by massaging a persimmon every day for weeks. Learn more about this traditional Japanese treat in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/hoshigaki.htm

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How Does Psoriasis Work? Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Psoriasis is a condition where an overactive immune system causes discomfort and discoloration of the skin. Learn what we know (and don't know!) about how psoriasis works in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Could 'Y'all' Fill a Gap in Modern English? Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Unlike other languages, modern English doesn't have a second-person plural pronoun. Learn how 'y'all' is stepping up in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/yall.htm

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BrainStuff Classics: How Do Paleoartists Create Dinosaur Drawings? Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

Short answer: Very carefully. Learn about the history and modern practices of paleoart in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: Why Is the Winchester House Built So Strangely? Nov 01, 2025

Show notes

We can't prove whether the Winchester Mystery House is really haunted, but it was definitely built for ghosts. Learn the story of how its strange construction was one woman's unending quest in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/afterlife/winchester-mystery-house.htm

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Is the 'Number of the Beast' an Ancient Riddle? Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

The number 666 has been adopted by modern horror media as a demonic symbol, but what (or whom) does this number really refer to? Learn about the Book of Revelation and ancient wordplay via numbers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/666.htm

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Could Piranhas Really Eat a Cow in Under a Minute? Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Piranhas are very efficient eaters, but their frothing feeding frenzy seen in horror movies is mostly based on a myth started by Theodore Roosevelt. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/piranha-eat-cows.htm

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