BrainStuff

Copyright: 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

Latest Episodes:

Can Parasitic Worms Control Snails' Minds? May 02, 2023

Show notes

A genus of flatworms called banded broodsacs have a lifecycle that seems to involve purposefully getting eaten first by snails and then by birds, using a combination of biomimicry and biohacking. Learn about Leucochloridium worms in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/parasitic-worms-snails.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BrainStuff Classics: What Was the First Computer? Apr 30, 2023

Show notes

The first machine for computation was designed in the 1800s! Learn how its creators, Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace, set about inventing it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/who-invented-the-computer.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BrainStuff Classics: Why Is Elephants' Skin So Wrinkly? Apr 29, 2023

Show notes

Elephants have a thick hide that's wrinkled from birth, but why? Learn about the research that's revealed the secrets to elephant skin in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/scientists-figure-out-why-elephants-skin-so-cracked.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the World's Skinniest Skyscraper? Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

The world's slimmest skyscraper is in New York City, where it's less than one-third of the width of comparable buildings. Learn about Steinway Tower in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/architecture/steinway-tower-news.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Did Hazardous Nuclear Testing Help Science? Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

Aboveground nuclear weapons testing in the 1950s and '60s has exposed every living thing on Earth to harmful radiation -- but has also made dating the remains of living things much more accurate. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-tests-bomb-pulse.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Does Your Stomach Growl? Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Sometimes our guts rumble when we're hungry, and sometimes when we're full. What gives? Learn about the digestive system and borborygmus in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/digestive/stomach-growling.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Do Some People Believe Conspiracy Theories? Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Buying into disproven conspiracy theories has been scientifically linked with a few unhelpfully human patterns of thought, including illusory pattern perception and confirmation bias. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/conspiracy-theorists-brains-really-are-different.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the History of License Plates? Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Motor vehicle license plates have been in use since 1903 in the U.S., and they've changed a lot over the years, from lifetime leather plates to newfangled digital ones. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/cost-of-car-ownership/history-license-plates-in-us.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Can Glass on the Moon Contain Water? Apr 17, 2023

Show notes

Researchers have found tiny glass beads on the moon, created by meteorite strikes, with droplets of water attached. Learn how they work -- and how we might be able to harvest that water -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/moon-glass-beads-water.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BrainStuff Classics: How Can Sunlight Make You Sneeze? Apr 16, 2023

Show notes

Sudden exposure to bright light makes some people sneeze -- but why? Learn the leading theory in this episode of BrainStuff.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected