BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

How Do HeLa Cells Work? Jul 24, 2025

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Most of the human cells grown in labs that are used for scientific research come from samples taken from one woman in the 1950s. Learn about the amazing yet nonconsenting contribution of Henrietta Lacks in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/hela-cell.htm

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Why Is North Sentinel Island Totally Off-Limits? Jul 08, 2025

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This small island in the Bay of Bengal is home to one of the last uncontacted peoples on the planet -- and they seem to want to keep it that way. Learn how North Sentinel Island has remained independent in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/world-history/north-sentinel-island.htm

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How Have Obituaries Changed? Jul 07, 2025

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Public death notices about common people are a fairly recent development, and they've changed a lot since their inception. Learn how obituaries went from dry statements to tributes to truth in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/funerals/obituary-history.htm

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BrainStuff Classics: What Is the Mandela Effect? Jul 06, 2025

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When many people share a false memory, that's the Mandela Effect in action -- but how does it happen? Learn how our individual brains misremember stuff and how false memories can spread in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: What's the History (and Future) of Toilets? Jul 05, 2025

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The 'modern' toilet was invented in the 1700s. So what was it like in the past, and how could we improve on it in the future? Learn more about waste technologies in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/toilets-past-future-flush.htm

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What Does Habeas Corpus Mean? Jul 04, 2025

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Habeas corpus is a centuries-old legal concept that basically means that the government has to have a valid legal reason if it's going to detain you. Learn why habeas corpus is so important -- and when it's been suspended in the U.S. -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/habeas-corpus-important.htm

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Who Named the Planet Earth? Jul 03, 2025

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In most European languages, the planets are all named after Roman gods -- except for the planet you're hanging out on right now. Learn how Earth and the other planets got their names in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/who-named-planet-earth.htm

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Does the Bunyip Really Roam Austraila's Wetlands? Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

A cryptid with a fearsome bellow, the bunyip is said to stalk the unwary who swim or walk alone at night in parts of Austraila and New Zealand. Learn about the potential real-life inspirations for the bunyip in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/strange-creatures/australian-bunyip.htm

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How Does Foreign Accent Syndrome Work? Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Patients with Foreign Accent Syndrome seem to develop a whole new accent overnight. Learn how it can happen in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/neurological-conditions/foreign-accent-syndrome.htm

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How Did Tetris Go from Soviet Passtime to Smashing Success? Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

During the Cold War, a programmer in the USSR created Tetris as a fun break for his coworkers. Learn how it became one of the best-selling video games of all time in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/tetris.htm

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