BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

BrainStuff Classics: Should You Really Take Fish Oil Pills? Apr 17, 2022

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Conventional wisdom has long said fish oil pills are a great nutritional boost, but recent research shows they don't have the cardiovascular benefits we once thought. Learn who should still consider taking them in this episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: How Can Squid 'Speak' With Their Skin? Apr 16, 2022

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Squid can communicate via patterns they flash on their skin, and the way they create those patterns is stranger than anyone thought. Learn what researchers are learning about it in this episode of BrainStuff.

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What's the Most Americans Have Paid for Gasoline? Apr 15, 2022

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Gas prices have been high recently in the U.S., but the national average has gone higher (once you account for inflation). Learn how gas pricing works in the U.S. and around the world in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-consumption/highest-gas-payment.htm

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How Does Earth's Pulse Work? Apr 15, 2022

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Yes, Earth has a pulse: peaks of geologic activity that occur every 27.5 million years, and herald mass extinctions. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/earths-pulse.htm

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Why Didn't Russia Sell Alaska to Canada? Apr 14, 2022

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In 1867, Russia sold the territory of Alaska to the United States -- a perhaps confusing move, given that Canada was right next door. Learn how it happened in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/why-didnt-russia-sell-alaska-to-canada.htm

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How Can Hay Fever Cause Food Allergies? Apr 12, 2022

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It turns out that compounds in some raw fruits and vegetables mimic the compounds that cause seasonal allergies, and thus make you itchy when you eat them. Learn more about oral allergy syndrome in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/allergies/food-allergy/information/hay-fever-allergic-fruits.htm

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How Does Dolores Huerta Work? Apr 11, 2022

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In the 1960s, Dolores Huerta worked alongside Cesar Chavez to create the United Farm Workers union and organize for farmworkers' rights across America. Learn more about her legacy and continuing work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/dolores-huerta.htm

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BrainStuff Classics: How Bad Is It to Run Your Car on Empty? Apr 10, 2022

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Your car's empty-tank light can sneak up on you, and it's easy to put off filling up for another day. But are you damaging your car when you do? Learn why it's not good to run your car on empty in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-economy/is-it-bad-to-drive-car-with-nearly-empty-gas-tank.htm

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BrainStuff Classics: Do Doctors' Biases Affect Health Care? Apr 09, 2022

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Implicit biases change the way we act without us even realizing it, and doctors aren't immune. Learn how we can identify and change our unconscious biases in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/healthcare/doctors-biases-health-care.htm

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How Does Plutonium Work? Apr 09, 2022

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Plutonium may be as misunderstood as it is useful -- and potentially dangerous. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/plutonium.htm

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