BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

BrainStuff Classics: Should You Be Squatting More? Feb 15, 2025

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Short answer: Yeah, probably. Most Westerners have traded squatting for sitting and standing, to the detriment of our backs and joints. Learn the benefits of a good squat -- and how you can incorporate them into your day -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: Why Don't Penguin Feet Freeze? Feb 14, 2025

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Standing barefoot on a glacier, human feet would freeze solid -- but penguin feet are fine. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/why-penguin-feet-dont-freeze.htm

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How Did 'Silent Spring' Change the World? Feb 13, 2025

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Marine biologist Rachel Carson published lots of books about the environment, but her investigation of DDT, 'Silent Spring', cracked open the insecticide industry. Learn about her life and work in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/famous-scientists/biologists/10-things-should-know-about-rachel-carson.htm

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Who Invented Sports Drinks? Feb 12, 2025

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Sports drinks are a multibillion-dollar business that traces back to just two brands: Lucozade from the 1920s, and Gatorade from the 1960s. Learn how they were conceived in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/who-invented-sports-drinks.htm

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Great Escapes: What Happens When Animals Make a Run for It? Feb 11, 2025

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From lab monkeys to zoo flamingos to very clever orangutans, animals have made some great escapes. Learn about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/animals-escapes.htm

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Do Astronauts Need Sunscreen in Space? Feb 07, 2025

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Ultraviolet (UV) light is both useful and hazardous. Learn why sunscreen is helpful on Earth but not in space in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/do-astronauts-need-sunscreen-in-space.htm

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How Did a Team of Immigrants in America Help Win WWII? Feb 06, 2025

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During World War II, the U.S. military recruited diverse multilingual Americans -- including many immigrants -- to be trained as intelligence officers at Camp Ritchie. Learn how the Ritchie Boys helped the Allies win the war in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/world-war-ii/ritchie-boys.htm

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How Do Our Eyes Get Their Color? Jan 22, 2025

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There are no blue or green pigments in the human eye, so how do those eye colors occur? Learn about the complex genetics and light scattering that give our eyes their color (plus how rare different eye colors are) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/eye/rarest-eye-colors.htm

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Who Actually Wins (and Loses) in a Trade War? Jan 21, 2025

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Governments impose tariffs (which are border taxes paid by the importer) to help protect their nation's businesses from foreign competition. Learn how tariffs work, how they don't work, and why they can actually hurt local businesses and consumers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://money.howstuffworks.com/who-wins-loses-in-trade-war.htm; https://money.howstuffworks.com/who-wins-and-loses-if-us-imposes-steel-tariffs.htm

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Why Are Komodo Dragons So Deadly? Jan 20, 2025

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We used to think Komodo dragons harbored bacteria in their mouths that made their bites deadly, but it turns out they have venom and iron-tipped teeth to thank. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/komodo-bite.htm

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