BrainStuff

These large, intelligent North American birds weren't everyone's first choice for a United States icon. Learn more about bald eagles in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/bald-eagles.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems miraculous that art can be so moving, but there are several scientific theories about it. Learn what we know (and what we don't) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/music-and-art-move-us.htm/printable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1930s, stones surfaced that might explain what happened to the settlers of the lost colony of Roanoke. Learn their story -- plus how modern science might help determine whether they're real -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/dare-stones-forgery-or-key-to-lost-colony-roanoke-mystery.htm See omnystudio.com/liste...

Bruises can turn a rainbow of colors before they heal -- but why? Learn the science behind color-changing contusions in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/health-factors/why-do-bruises-change-colors-as-heal.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound needs matter to travel through -- and matter is scattered pretty far and wide in space. Learn more about how hearing works and how space works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/humans-hear-in-space.htm/printable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dingoes are Australia's wiley wild canines -- and yes, they can be dangerous to humans. Learn about the origin of this pop culture phrase in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/dingo.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Emanicaption Proclamation didn't immediately free any enslaved people -- it wasn't meant to. Learn how it succeeded at its actual purpose -- demoralizing the Confederacy -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/lincoln-emancipation-proclamation.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pickled cucumbers are a simple snack favored by everyone from deli-goers to Cleopatra. Learn the science and history behind pickling in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-science/pickle-history.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All exercise is good for keeping us healthier and happier -- but some kinds of exercise can actually help you live longer, too. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/which-athletes-live-longest.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you take a pull of air from a helium balloon, you'll sound like a cartoon version of yourself for a few seconds. Learn why helium makes you so high pitched in this episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After our sun dies, it and many other stars will eventually crystallize. Learn how astrophysicists figured this out -- and how it works -- in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/after-sun-dies-itll-become-stellar-crystal.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Though his formal education and financial means were limited, Cesar Chavez succeeded in unionizing California farm workers as no one had before. Learn about his life and dedication to La Causa in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/cesar-chavez.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giraffe's necks contain only seven vertabrae, just like ours, but can be several feet long. Learn how their bodies adapted to this amazing structure in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/giraffe-neck.htm/printable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aspic is savory gelatin that can serve as a sort of showstopping, jiggly salad. Learn the science behind how it's made (and a few guesses about why) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/aspic.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It wasn't a total cultural collapse, but several Maya cities were abandonded all around the same time. Learn how natural and human-driven climate change may have been key in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/climate-change-end-mayan-civilization.htm/printable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The nail polishes popular today owe their existence to the automotive industry, but the history of nail colors and varnishes goes back millennia. Learn the history of nail polish in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/nail-care/tips/colorful-history-nail-polish.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The photos on social media are arguably the cutest, but how do dogs feel when we dress them up? Can dogs feel emarrassment? Learn what science has to say in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/do-dogs-get-embarrassed.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If a traffic light seems stuck on red, you're not stuck too. Learn what's legal and what's safe to try in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/if-light-is-stuck-on-red-are-stuck-too.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Benedict Arnold is the United States' most famous traitor. Learn about his journey from hero to villain of the Revolutionary War in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/benedict-arnold.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These small, wild cats with famously grumpy expressions are uniquely adapted to their frigid high-altitude environtments. Learn more about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/pallas-cat.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Popular culture throws around the terms 'sociopath' and 'psychopath' a lot, but neither is a real mental health diagnosis. Learn about the actual traits and conditions behind these terms in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/mental-disorders/sociopath-vs-psychopath.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The majority of humans become lactose intolerant as they grow up. Learn how ancient herders changed our digestive gene pool in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/humans-built-drink-milk-adults.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/auto-safety-testing/escape-sinking-car.htm; https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/auto-glass.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cherry blossom trees are so celebrated because their beautiful blooms are so short-lived. Learn about these trees (and how so many wound up in Washington, D.C.) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-traditions/cherry-blossom.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting in the 1930s, this adventurous Black woman toured the U.S., performed stunts, and served her country on motorcycles. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/bessie-stringfield.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.