BrainStuff

The most expensive 30-second commercial slot in this weekend's Super Bowl sold for $5.6 million, but the total cost to make these ads is more like $30 million. Learn what kind of return on investment companies hope to make in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Press briefings have been a regular event at the White House since the late 1800s, so why has the Trump administration cancelled them? Learn about the history behind the practice (and what's replaced them) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Replacing vintage engines with electric motors can help keep classic cars on the road (though don't worry, we're not coming for your collector's items). Learn why companies like Jaguar and Volkswagen are leading the charge in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some beers develop in interesting and pleasant ways as they age -- but it's a science experiment with a lot of variables. Learn how to embark on the art and science of aging beer in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking your dog out on walks is great for it (and you!), but certain kinds of leashes can help keep you both safer. Learn why an expert recommends braided leather leashes (and when they recommend harnesses) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us don't have to worry about ionizing radiation -- that is, the kind of radiation that can make you sick. Learn why (and what ionizing radiation can do) in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve heard of fracking, and you’re pretty sure lots of people don’t like it, but do you know what it really entails? Learn what goes into the fracking process in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bengal cats are a hybrid of domestic cats and a small, wild type of leopard cat. Learn how this breed began and why they're an intensive pet in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, there is a difference! Roadways in the United States are given designations based on what lines them and how they connect. Learn the differences between these and other passages in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Botanically speaking, bananas are berries and strawberries are not. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a long time, scientists thought monkeys and non-human apes simply lacked the vocal anatomy for human speech, but new research indicates otherwise. Learn what was found in this episode of BrainStuff.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a myth that the trees that cork comes from are endangered, but they're doing just fine. Learn how the rumors may have started in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The exclamation point, once scorned by most, is appearing more and more in online communication — even in professional settings. Learn the history of this punchy punctuation in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It may seem like magic, but microwave ovens employ the physics of the electromagnetic spectrum to heat your food. Learn how in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If the moon suddenly disappeared from existence, Earth would be missing more than just our nightlight. Learn how the moon affects the Earth in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It took a series of British courts to decide whether Pringles count as potato chips (or, rather, potato crisps). Learn why -- and what they decided -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scientists have been studying the four fundamental forces (gravity, electromagnetism, the strong force, and the weak force) since the 1950s, but new research indicates that there may be a fifth. 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.

We often use the two interchangeably (especially in times of need), but toilet paper and facial tissues are composed differently. Learn why you shouldn't flush tissues in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The technology already exists to put Breathalyzers in cars to prevent drunk driving, and some lawmakers are working towards mandating it. Learn how it might work in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's in a name? Research shows that your name can indeed influence your career and your behavior. Learn how in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pushing the tab on a car's rearview mirror seems to dim the headlights of the car behind you -- but how? Learn how rearview mirrors work 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 internet's Wayback Machine isn't a time machine in the traditional sense, but it does archive web pages to provide a living history for users to explore. 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.

When fish abandon unhealthy coral reefs, the whole ecosystem can collapse -- but new research shows that playing sounds from healthy reefs can lure fish back, helping stabilize the reef. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research indicates that permanent hair dyes and hair straighteners can increase women's risk of breast cancer. Remember, cancers are caused by many genetic & environmental factors -- but learn what the researchers found in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When something or someone is particularly emblematic of the U.S., we often say they're 'as American as apple pie'. Learn the history of apple pie, plus how that phrase got started, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.