BrainStuff

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Latest Episodes:

Where did the hamburger get its name? Feb 01, 2013

Show notes

The word 'hamburger' seems to imply that pork is a main ingredient, but in fact, this famous beef sandwich got its name from a city. Learn more about the origins and spread of the hamburger in this episode of BrainStuff.

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What gives a Harley its distinctive sound? Jan 28, 2013

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A Harley Davidson motorcycle emits a very distinctive sound because of the unique way its engine works. Find out more in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

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Does drinking ice water burn calories? Jan 18, 2013

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When you drink cold water, your body exerts an effort to warm up the liquid and, in doing so, burns calories. So does that make drinking ice water an effective weight loss strategy? Find out in this episode of BrainStuff.

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What is the problem with MTBE in gasoline? Jan 14, 2013

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Some gasoline contains MTBE, or methyl tertiary butyl ether. Find out why MTBE is added to gasoline in the first place, and why it's no longer a popular additive, in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Why does a manual transmission make a whirring noise? Jan 09, 2013

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When manual transmissions are put in reverse, they produce a loud, whirring noise. What's the culprit? Gears. Marshall Brain explains how helical and spur gears work in manual transmissions in this episode.

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What is the Strategic Petroleum Reserve? Jan 07, 2013

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The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is the world's largest emergency oil stockpile. But why do we have it? Where do we keep it? Find out why the United States created this reserve and where the oil is stored in this episode.

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How does the Radio Data System work? Jan 04, 2013

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The Radio Data System, or RDS, allows your radio to display information like song titles and radio station call signs. Find out how the RDS works in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

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How does residential real estate work? Dec 19, 2012

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There are many different types of residential real estate: traditional houses, condos, mobile homes, etc. But what's the difference between these types? Marshall Brain breaks it down for you in this episode of BrainStuff.

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How does the public option work? Dec 10, 2012

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In the current U.S. debate over health care reform, a government-sponsored public option has been a controversial topic. Tune in to this episode of BrainStuff to hear Marshall Brain explain the nuances and implications of the public option.

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How can the grass on a golf course green be so perfect? Dec 07, 2012

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The greens on a golf course are famously smooth and perfect-looking, but how do they get that way? Discover how careful planning, the right ingredients and a whole lot of maintenance yield a flawless green in this episode of BrainStuff.

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