BrainStuff

Frozen meals have become a near-daily part of many people's lives in less than a century. Learn how refrigeration, food science, and television came together to make frozen foods a thing in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/history-tv-dinner.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's relatively common for cars and trains to pass through underwater tunnels, but these structures are marvels of modern engineering. Learn how they're blasted, bored, and built from prefab pieces in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/build-underwater-tunnel.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This creature's amazing amalgam of traits includes fur like a mammal, webbed feet like a bird, eggs like a reptile, electroreception like a shark, and venom that may teach us how to build better painkillers. Learn more about the platypus in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/platypus-poison.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Almost every type of living creature relies on mucus to help keep itself healthy. Learn what snot can teach us in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/respiratory/mucus.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can buy all kinds of fancy meat thermometers, but many turkeys are packaged with a simple pop-up timer that tells you when the bird is done. Learn how they work (and why Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving in the first place) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/pop-up-timer.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Denver's Mile High Stadium sits a full mile above sea level -- is that distance really enough to make a difference in the air compared with other stadiums, and thus in how footballs fly there? Learn about football physics in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/physics-and-football-denvers-altitude-affect-field-goals.htm See omnystudio....

What we sometimes call the dark side of the moon isn't always dark, but it is somewhat mysterious. Learn why we only see one side of the moon from Earth (and why it's sometimes in shadow) in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/dark-side-of-moon.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cream of tartar is a kitchen ingredient most commonly used in baking, but it can help with everything from candy making to whipping eggs to cleaning up afterwards. It's also a byproduct of the wine industry. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-science/cream-of-tartar.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to influenza, what you don't know can hurt you. Learn some of the most common misconceptions about the flu (and flu vaccines), plus the truth behind them, in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/10-flu-misconceptions.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Jane Goodall's 60-year career has changed our understanding of chimpanzees and humanity alike. Learn how she's still working to improve our world for all its creatures in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/big-thinkers/jane-goodall-global-face-for-global-peace.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DSM is a manual that U.S. healthcare professionals use to identify and diagnose mental health issues -- and it’s a continual work in progress because our understanding of mental health is continually developing. Learn how the DSM works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/mental-disorders/dsm-diagnostic-and-statistical-manual-ment...

State laws can prevent people convicted of crimes from voting, so why do federal laws let them run for president? Learn why it's actually a good thing, and when people can be barred from federal office, in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/criminal-conviction-bar-running-for-president.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fear and hatred of people who seem 'foreign' or 'other' can sadly pop up anywhere. Learn about xenophobia and how to fight it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/xenophobia.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something has to be done with all those fall leaves, but the best option for the environment (and your lawn) isn't raking, it's mulching. Learn why, and how to get started, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/stop-raking-leaves.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 'tryant king' of the dinosaurs has been inspiring science (and science fiction) since it was first discovered. Learn how Tyrannosaurus worked in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/dinosaurs/tyrannosaurus.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the window of a small bridal shop in Mexico, an eerily lifelike mannequin has inspired macabre legends. Learn about La Pascualita in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/la-pascualita.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This board game brought communing with spirits to the mass market in the mid-1900s. Learn about Ouija's storied history -- plus how science says our subconscious is responsible for moving the planchette -- in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/unexplained-phenomena/ouija-boards.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Some real-life legends haunt us even if literal ghosts do not. Learn how the tales about hired gun Tom Horn caught up with him in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/tom-horn.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop culture loves making horrific figures adorable, from Cthulhu plushies to 'cute' Freddy Krueger costumes. But why? Learn what researchers think about the spectrum of cute to monstrous in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The yak is a beautiful bovine adapted especially for its cold, high-altitude environment. Learn about yaks and their amazing milk and fiber in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/yak.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Absinthe once had a sinister reputation for causing hallucinations and even insanity, but it's only as hazardous as any other alcohol. Learn about the history and science behind absinthe in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/absinthe.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In frigid Antarctica, hidden ice caves warmed by volcanic activity can reach warm springtime temperatures and feature lots of liquid water. Learn what researchers hope to find in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/biology-fields/intricate-ice-caves-in-antarctica-may-harbor-unique-life.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the Age of Exploration, Vasco da Gama established a water route from Europe to spice-rich India -- and established Portugal as a fearsome colonial force. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/vasco-da-gama.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Intelligence and talent may be something we're born with, but there's evidence that nurture is at least as important as nature in determining genius. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/genius-genetic.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many modern cities feature grided streets made for walking, but suburbs' wide, winding roads require cars to get around. Learn why, plus how it might change, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/why-so-many-suburban-streets-twist-and-turn.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.