BrainStuff

After World War II, what came to be known as the Truman Doctrine pulled the U.S. out of its previously isolationist stance and into global relationships that endure today. Learn more about it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The venom of black widow spiders can indeed be deadly, but they almost always avoid attacking -- and they don't often eat each other, either. Learn more about these arachnids in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This simple spinning device helps keep object at hand on tabletops and in tight cabinets -- but why is it called a lazy susan? Learn a few of the hypotheses in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigrants to the United States tend to have better physical and mental health outcomes than people who were born here. Learn about assimilation, acculturation, and collectivism in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This cheese-and-sweet-pepper spread is a Southern staple, but it was actually developed in New York. Learn about the history and popularity of pimento cheese in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers have found Antarctic microbes that appear to get all the nutrients they need from thin air. Could this change our search for extraterrestrial life? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study indicates that some teens bully themselves online, posting hateful messages from fake or anonymous accounts. Researchers are looking into why, and how to help. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Obviously, vaccines for the coronavirus that's causing this pandemic would help life get back to normal -- but their development is also set to improve the way we make all vaccines. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kangaroos put an enormous amount of power into every hop -- and conserve energy in the process. Learn how they do it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McDonald's McRib sandwich has a cult following -- but what's it actually made of? Learn about the history and composition of the McRib in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you get the days of the week mixed up, you're not alone. Learn about the psychology of Tuesday in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Potting soil often contains perlite, which is a type of volcanic rock that helps keep soil light and airy. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outrunning a volcanic eruption, like many things that look easy in movies or sound simple in theory, is more complicated in reality. Learn why you shouldn't attempt this feat in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new(ish) find of very old artwork depicts dogs wearing leashes. Learn more about our history with man’s best friend in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The writers of the U.S. Constitution were, in part, influenced by the confederation of Native American nations called the Haudenosaunee (or the Iroquois). Learn about the Haudenosaunee Great Law in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sure it's tasty, but how exactly did spiced squash in a pie crust become part of American holiday celebrations? Learn about the history of pumpkin pie in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are lots of rumors about potentially harmful ingredients in vaccines, but once you understand what those ingredients are and how little are used in vaccines, it's easy to see why vaccines are safe. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Maillard reaction gives foods from toast to coffee to seared steak some of their flavors. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the Civil War, surgeon Mary Edwards Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor for her service. Learn her story in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research has revealed another danger lurking in uncooked dough: Tenacious E. coli can survive in dry flour. Learn how scientists figured it out in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is it about the arrangement of petals on a flower or a perfectly symmetrical display of soup cans that catches our eye? Learn how our brains seem wired for it in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeline L'Engle has been inspiring young scientists for generations. We spoke with three for this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes innocent people wind up in prison, and even if genetic evidence comes to light, it can still take years (and a lot of money) to secure their freedom. Learn how the Innocence Project helps in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time zones sometimes seem to cause more confusion than they fix. Learn how they came about -- and why some researchers want to get rid of them -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long-term space missions would need to figure out a way to create artificial gravity for their astronauts. Learn why -- and how it may be possible -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.