BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

How Did Indigo Help Start America's Slave Trade? Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

Crops like sugar and cotton are notoriously tied to slavery in the U.S. (and around the world), but indigo deserves infamy, too. Learn the dark history of this natural dye in today's episode of BrainStuff.

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What's the History of the Tooth Fairy? Feb 20, 2020

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Throughout history, different cultures have had all kinds of ceremonies surrounding the loss of a first baby tooth. Learn where the Tooth Fairy fits in in this episode of BrainStuff.

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How Do Scientists Know What's Inside Dinosaur Eggs? Feb 19, 2020

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For dinosaur eggs to have survived until now, they must have fossilized -- which makes cracking them open to see what's inside a difficult prospect. Learn how researchers tackle it (and when they don't have to) in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Are Humans Built to Drink Milk as Adults? Feb 18, 2020

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Lactose intolerance is rare in the U.S., but worldwide it's way more common. Learn what causes this and how researchers explain the divide in this episode of BrainStuff.

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What Do People Get Wrong About Rosa Parks? Feb 17, 2020

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Though we've all heard about how Rosa Parks' small act of resistance on a Montgomery bus sparked a boycott that spurred the civil rights movement, a lot of us get the details wrong. Learn the real story of Rosa Parks in this episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: What Is the Birthday Paradox? Feb 16, 2020

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The so-called Birthday Paradox isn't a true paradox -- it's a fascinating example of how bad humans are at off-the-cuff probability. Learn what the Birthday Paradox is and how it works in this episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: Why Do We Get Morning Breath? Feb 15, 2020

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Our breath can smell bad for a number of reasons, but it tends to be worse first thing in the morning. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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Does Chocolate Give You a Happy High? Feb 14, 2020

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Many humans enjoy eating chocolate -- but is it because of the taste, or because of compounds in the candy that simulate happiness in our brains? Learn about how chocolate affects us in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Why Do Cats Knead? Feb 13, 2020

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Cats seem to love kneading at soft things with their front paws -- but why do they do it? Learn about this (sometimes very pointy) behavior in today's episode of BrainStuff.

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What Is Balut, and How Do You Eat It? Feb 12, 2020

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Balut is a street food delicacy found in Southeastern Asia -- and around the world. Learn about this eggy treat in today's episode of BrainStuff.

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