BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

Why Do Cats Knead? Feb 13, 2020

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Cats seem to love kneading at soft things with their front paws -- but why do they do it? Learn about this (sometimes very pointy) behavior in today's episode of BrainStuff.

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What Is Balut, and How Do You Eat It? Feb 12, 2020

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Balut is a street food delicacy found in Southeastern Asia -- and around the world. Learn about this eggy treat in today's episode of BrainStuff.

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Are Single-Use Plastics Really That Bad? Feb 11, 2020

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Single-use plastics are plastics made to be thrown away after one use. Learn why they're so damaging and how we can do better in this episode of BrainStuff.

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How Did Georgia Tech's Most Famous Student Never Exist? Feb 10, 2020

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George P. Burdell has received several degrees, flown missions in several wars, hosted countless campus balls, and ordered countless pizzas -- but he's never technically existed. Learn about Georgia Tech's legendary student in this episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: How Does Crooke's Radiometer Work? Feb 09, 2020

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Crooke's radiometer is a device containing vanes that appear to spin because they're pushed by light itself, but that's not quite right. Learn what's really happening in this episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: What Is White Noise? Feb 08, 2020

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White noise generators are useful for masking all kinds of annoying sounds -- but what is white noise, and how does it work? Learn about white noise (and other 'colors') in this episode of BrainStuff.

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How Do Wine, Cars, and Clothes Defy Economics? Feb 08, 2020

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With most goods and services, as their price goes up, demand goes down -- but not so with luxury items from diamonds to college educations. Learn how Veblen goods work in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Why Can a Mongoose Take on a Cobra? Feb 07, 2020

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Mongooses are small, weasely mammals that can -- and do -- kill and eat big, venomous king cobras. Learn how they manage to come out on top in this grudge match in today's episode of BrainStuff.

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Why Are Scientists Asking Hikers to Stop Stacking Rocks? Feb 05, 2020

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Stacks of rocks called cairns have long been used for navigation and decoration, but scientists are now asking hikers to stop making them. Learn how simply moving rocks can be hugely destructive (even if you put them back) in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Why Do People Say 'Holy Cow'? Feb 04, 2020

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The phrase 'holy cow' is an example of a minced oath -- a substitute for a taboo phrase. Learn how baseball was involved in its popularity in this episode of BrainStuff.

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