BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

Yes, Your Dog Wants to Help When You're Upset Aug 17, 2018

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Confirming what dog owners already know, new research shows that dogs really do want to help us when we're sad or upset. Learn how the experiments worked in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Why Is Head Scratching a Gesture of Thought? Aug 16, 2018

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Some gesticulations come naturally -- scratching your head when you're thinking is so common that it's basically a cliche. But why? Learn what researchers have to say in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Could Spending Money on Experiences Save the World? Aug 15, 2018

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Research shows that spending money on experiences instead of objects can make you happier, but can it make you a better person? Learn what scientists have found in this episode of BrainStuff.

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How Do Nutrients Get into the World's Oceans? Aug 14, 2018

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Phytoplankton are responsible for a lot of the oxygen we breathe, and their wellbeing is made possible by... deserts. Yes. Learn how the Saraha Desert and other dusty debris feeds our oceans in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Who Does the Real Magic: Magicians, or Assistants? Aug 13, 2018

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The gender roles of traditional stage magicians and 'lovely assistants' can seem outdated, but behind the scenes, the work has always been pretty equal. Learn how being a magician's assistant works in this episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: How Do Laugh Tracks Work? Aug 12, 2018

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Sitcoms use laugh tracks all the time. But where do they come from? Do they really make us laugh along? Learn about the origins and psychology of laugh tracks in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads? Aug 11, 2018

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Is this adorable behavior rooted in sensory necessity or purposeful gesticulation? We explore what may be the cutest research ever in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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Why Do Books Smell So Good? Aug 10, 2018

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Researchers have set out to catalog the scent compounds that make books and libraries smell so welcoming. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Can You Train a Bee? Aug 09, 2018

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Spoiler alert: Totally. Bees and other insects can learn, and thus be trained, using scents. Learn how they could sniff out everything from bombs to cancer in this episode of BrainStuff.

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What If Bandages Could Monitor Your Wound? Aug 08, 2018

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Today's bandages work pretty well, but is it time for an upgrade? Learn how researchers are creating smart bandages in this episode of BrainStuff.

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