BrainStuff

Some animals like cows can live on grass, so why can't humans? And why do dogs and cats eat it even though they can't live on it either? Learn about digesting grass in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/why-do-dogs-and-cats-eat-grass.htm; https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/digestive/why-humans-dont-eat-grass.htm See omnystud...

Yes, the sun rotates, but it does so a little differently than rocky planets like Earth. Learn how (and why) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/does-sun-rotate.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A turtle's shell grows with it throughout its life. Learn how a hard, protective shell can keep growing in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/turtle-shell.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In fascism, the needs of the people bow to the needs of the State, and violent, authoritarian leaders demand unity, sacrifice, and a strict social heirarchy in order to enact constant conquest to bring glory to the State. Learn more about the past and present of fascism in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/fascism-movement.htm See omnystudio.com/li...

Some specialized fungi can hijack the behavior of ants, wasps, and spiders in order to spread their spores. Learn about the real-life Cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps fungi that inspired 'The Last of Us' in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/zombie-ant-fungus.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New details are still coming to light about Anne Frank's life -- and her diary still has a lot to teach us. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article:  https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/anne-frank.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whales are some of the largest creatures on Earth -- but why? And why aren't they bigger? Learn a whale of a tale about ocean mammals in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The oldest known intact Earth rock was collected on the moon in the 1970s. Learn how researchers think it got there it in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enormous, pig-like omnivores with bone-barbed faces and long tusks once hunted and fought throughout what's now North America, Eurasia, and Africa. Learn about the entelodonts in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/extinct-animals/prehistoric-hell-pigs-once-roamed-earth.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometime in the 1900s, Americans began referring to themselves as consumers more often than as citizens. Learn how this mindset can make a real difference in how we take responsibility for our communities in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/american-citizens-versus-consumers.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saliva is something you probably (hopefully?) don't think about too much, but it helps you speak, eat, taste, and even digest. Learn about the wonders of spit in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/digestive/saliva-change-food.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harriet Tubman helped people escape slavery, ran intelligence missions for the Union during the Civil War, and set up the first nursing home for Black Americans. Learn more about her in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/harriet-tubman.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although the International Astronomical Union demoted Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet in 2006, some scientists think it deserves to be reinstated. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/pluto-is-it-planet-after-all.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flying snakes don't really fly, but they can glide long distances from rainforst treetops. Learn what we know (and don't know!) about them in this episoe of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/snakes/flying-snakes.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This stern, patriotic character goes back to the early 1800s, but became an icon thanks to American propaganda during WWI. Learn more about Uncle Sam in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/uncle-sam-man-myth-legend.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short answer: Yeah, probably. Most Westerners have traded squatting for sitting and standing, to the detriment of our backs and joints. Learn the benefits of a good squat -- and how you can incorporate them into your day -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Standing barefoot on a glacier, human feet would freeze solid -- but penguin feet are fine. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/why-penguin-feet-dont-freeze.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marine biologist Rachel Carson published lots of books about the environment, but her investigation of DDT, 'Silent Spring', cracked open the insecticide industry. Learn about her life and work in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/famous-scientists/biologists/10-things-should-know-about-rachel-carson.htm See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Sports drinks are a multibillion-dollar business that traces back to just two brands: Lucozade from the 1920s, and Gatorade from the 1960s. Learn how they were conceived in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/who-invented-sports-drinks.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From lab monkeys to zoo flamingos to very clever orangutans, animals have made some great escapes. Learn about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/animals-escapes.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is both useful and hazardous. Learn why sunscreen is helpful on Earth but not in space in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/do-astronauts-need-sunscreen-in-space.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During World War II, the U.S. military recruited diverse multilingual Americans -- including many immigrants -- to be trained as intelligence officers at Camp Ritchie. Learn how the Ritchie Boys helped the Allies win the war in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/world-war-ii/ritchie-boys.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are no blue or green pigments in the human eye, so how do those eye colors occur? Learn about the complex genetics and light scattering that give our eyes their color (plus how rare different eye colors are) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/eye/rarest-eye-colors.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governments impose tariffs (which are border taxes paid by the importer) to help protect their nation's businesses from foreign competition. Learn how tariffs work, how they don't work, and why they can actually hurt local businesses and consumers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://money.howstuffworks.com/who-wins-loses-in-trade-war.htm; https://money.howstuffworks.com...

We used to think Komodo dragons harbored bacteria in their mouths that made their bites deadly, but it turns out they have venom and iron-tipped teeth to thank. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/komodo-bite.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.