BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

Why Are Fungi Such Great Decomposers? Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

Fungus gets a bad rap sometimes, but the fungi amongi do incredibly important work breaking down dead stuff. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/fungi.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Does the Hollywood Sign Work? Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

The famous Hollywood sign that overlooks Los Angeles is turning 100 this year -- but its longevity wasn't always assured. Learn its history in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/hollywood-sign-birthday.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Does Non-Alcoholic Beer Work? Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

Low- and no-alcohol beers are now just as tasty as the alcoholic versions thanks to a few advances in brewing technology. Learn the basics of how brewers do it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-science/brew-non-alcoholic-beer.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Does Amazon Deliver Stuff So Fast? Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

E-commerce retailers like Amazon are able to offer next-day or even same-day shipping thanks to highly organized, centralized, data-driven systems of warehousing and transportation. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/amazon-fast-delivery.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Are the Most Common Birthdays? Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

It's not your imagination: Some seasons and dates have more birthdays than others. Learn the most and least popular birthdates (and how they're changing) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/genealogy/most-popular-birthdays.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BrainStuff Classics: Could We Build A Real Gundam? Jun 11, 2023

Show notes

Science fiction tells us our future depends on giant, humanoid robots protecting us and punching monsters. But could we really build those machines? Learn how close we are in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/could-build-own-gundams.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Did Al Capone's Mobsters Start a Milk War? Jun 10, 2023

Show notes

As Prohibition came to an end, Al Capone's mobsters set their sights on the Chicago milk market. Learn about the Milk Wars in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/chicago-milk-wars.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Tyrannosaurus Rex Have Lips? Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

For the past hundred years, paleoartists have depicted T. rex with a mouth like a crocodile's -- toothy and lipless. But new research suggests these dinos may have had lizard-like lips. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/dinosaurs/t-rex-lips.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Do Wolf Packs Work? May 31, 2023

Show notes

Terms like 'alpha wolf' are misleading -- in the wild, wolf packs are ruled by the wolves' parents, not through a pecking order. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/wolf-pack-mentality.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Does Einsteinium Work? May 30, 2023

Show notes

Einsteinium is a heavy, radioactive element that only exists on Earth when humans create it. Learn how it was first discovered and what we're still learning about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/einsteinium.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.