BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

Why doesn’t the vacuum of space suck away Earth’s atmosphere? Oct 01, 2012

Show notes

It's often said that "nature abhors a vacuum." If that's true, then why doesn't the vacuum of space suck away our atmosphere? Tune in as Marshall Brain explains the science behind vacuums in this HowStuffWorks podcast.

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How Replacing Toilets Work Sep 28, 2012

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A family of four can consume more than 300 gallons of water per day. Old toilets use 5 gallons per flush, and this water use quickly adds up. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast and learn why cities across the US are replacing their old commodes.

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What do those plastic recycling symbols mean? Sep 21, 2012

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A typical recycling symbol on plastic looks like a triangle made of arrows. There are seven different types of plastic indicated by the symbols. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn the difference between each of these plastic types.

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How does a Fresnel lens work? Sep 17, 2012

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The thin piece of plastic called a Fresnel lens solves some of the problems inherent in traditional magnifying lenses. Learn more about the benefits and weaknesses of Fresnel lenses in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

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What makes your arms, legs and feet fall asleep? Aug 31, 2012

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When you put prolonged pressure on your feet, arms or legs, you temporarily cut off or scramble communications between your brain and your body parts. Marshall explains exactly what happens when body parts "fall sleep" in this episode.

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Why is the Nissan Leaf such a big deal? Aug 27, 2012

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Nissan recently released the Leaf, a model which may be the first viable electric car to come on the market. How does it work? Why do people have high hopes for it? Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to find out more about the Nissan Leaf.

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What do the brake warning lights mean in my car? Jul 20, 2012

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The brake warning lights in your car light up as part of a routine test. When they stay on, they indicate that there's something wrong with your brake system. Learn more about brake warning lights in this episode.

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How much does 20-pound bond paper weigh? Jul 18, 2012

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Your average ream of printer paper is called 20-pound bond paper, but it doesn't actually weigh 20 pounds. Tune in as Marshall explains this strange American paper naming system -- and its metric alternative -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

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How does Christmas work? Jul 09, 2012

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Christmas is the biggest holiday on the American calendar -- but how did it get this way? Travel back in time with Marshall Brain as he explores the evolution of Christmas in this special holiday episode.

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Why are West Coast waves bigger than East Coast waves? Jul 06, 2012

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The West Coast of the United States seems to produce bigger, more impressive waves than the East Coast. But why? In this episode, Marshall explains the various factors that make West Coast waves bigger and better.

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