BrainStuff

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Latest Episodes:

Why Do Female Songbirds Sing? Aug 12, 2022

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Most scientific inquiry into birdsong has studied male birds because they're sometimes chattier. Learn what studying female birds might teach us in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/know-why-female-bird-sings.htm

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How Did a Grudge Match Between States Create the U.S. Constitution? Aug 11, 2022

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The American Constitution was a hard-fought compromise between states with large and small populations. Learn about the New Jersey Plan vs. the Virgina Plan in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/virginia-plan-vs-new-jersey-plan.htm

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How Does the Zoo Hypothesis Work? Aug 10, 2022

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What if we haven't made alien contact because they're keeping Earth like a zoo? It may be unlikely, but learn about the zoo hypothesis in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/space/aliens-ufos/zoo-hypothesis.htm

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How Do Cooling Fabrics Work? Aug 09, 2022

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Some clothing and bedding is advertised as 'cooling,' but what does that mean? Do they really work? Learn about how some fabrics can cool you down in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/cooling-fabrics.htm

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How Does Lyme Disease Work? Aug 08, 2022

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Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria spread by ticks, is very treatable when caught early. Learn the symptoms and how to prevent it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/infectious/lyme-disease.htm

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BrainStuff Classics: How Does Anxiety Cause Underarm Sweat? Jul 30, 2022

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Anxiety can cause sweaty palms and armpits -- but why? And how can you combat it? Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/anxiety-cause-underarm-sweat.htm

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What Does Space Smell Like? Jul 29, 2022

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Astronauts report that our little corner of space has a particular scent. Learn what might cause this in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/space-smell.htm

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How Were Pregnancy Tests Invented? Jul 28, 2022

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Humans have been using urine to test for pregnancy for thousands of years -- with the help of wheat, barley, rabbits, and frogs. Learn how reliable home tests became available in 1978 thanks to immunoassay technology in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/conception/rabbit-pregnancy.htm

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What Colors Can Dogs See? Jul 27, 2022

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Dogs have eyes that are primed to see motion better than color, but they're not colorblind. Learn more about dogs' vision in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/are-dogs-colorblind.htm

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How Could Smart Traffic Lights Work? Jul 26, 2022

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What if traffic lights could adjust for the actual flow of traffic happening at any given moment? Learn how smart, networked technology could help drivers (and pedestrians) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/smart-traffic-lights-news.htm

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