BrainStuff

Cemeteries and other places where we inter or honor the dead are often at least a little unsettling. Learn about the psychology and philosophy behind this phenomenon in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/afterlife/scary-graveyard.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plenty of things are scary these days, so why do people pay good money to see horror movies and go to 'haunted' houses? Learn why psychologists say these fearful experiences are helpful in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/why-love-to-be-scared.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lamia is a character from Greek myth who, in various tellings, devours children or seduces men. Learn about her legends in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/lamia.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not necessarily fun (nor on purpose), but yes, some people sleep with one or both eyes partially open. Learn how nocturnal lagophthalmos works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/sleep/disorders/can-fall-asleep-with-eyes-open.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's megafauna are tiny compared with history's largest dinosaurs. Learn a few theories about how these animals got so big in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/extinct-animals/why-were-prehistoric-animals-big.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No, it's not radioactive noodles -- nuclear pasta is the term for weird material produced in neutron stars. Learn why astrophysicists are so interested in how it works in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-pasta-is-super-macaroni-universe.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rising price of caskets has outpaced even the rising rate of inflation -- but why? Learn what industry experts think in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/funerals/caskets-so-expensive-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows we see on trees in the fall are actually part of trees' defense mechanisms against the oncoming winter. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/leaves-turn-red.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Redrawing voting district lines in your favor is an accepted (and legal) political play -- in some cases. Learn the differences between redistricting and gerrymandering (and how minority voters figure in) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/redistricting-gerrymandering.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mucus is gross, but it does a lot of good in humans and the many other animals that produce it. Learn more 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.

Astronomers have long suspected that Jupiter contains lots of water, but they've never been able to prove it. Learn about the new research that could help -- and thus solve lots of questions about our solar system -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/great-red-spot-may-expose-jupiters-watery-secret.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

If you wreck a car during a test-drive, would you have to pay for it? Learn how car dealers handle this surprisingly rare occurance in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/what-happens-if-wreck-car-on-test-drive.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few people did strike it rich in the American Gold Rush of the 1800s -- but none of them were looking for gold. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/gold-rush.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers have recorded some shatteringly cold temperatures on our generally mild planet -- but the answer to this question depends on your definition of "on". Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/coldest-place-on-earth.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone has bad dreams sometimes, but if nightmares plague you, mental exercises or physical treatments might help. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/sleep/dreams/nightmares.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It takes a lot of water and some toxic chemicals to dye our denim blue. Learn how research into chitosan could make the process more environmentally friendly in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/sustainable/denim-dyeing.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North American hognose snakes are among the creatures that will dramatically feign death to escape predators. Learn about these reptiles (and thanatosis) in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/snakes/hognose-snake.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We associate nitrates with processed meats, but they occur in vegetables, too -- and they're not all bad. Learn more about nitrates and nitrites in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/nitrates.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our changing climate is creating all kinds of effects -- including some surprising historical reveals. Learn about a few of the human remains, dinosaur tracks, and WWII relics that receding waters have uncovered in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/archaeology/droughts-uncover-ancient-artifacts-news.htm See omnystudio.com/liste...

When Queen Elizabeth II died in September of 2022, she left a legacy that includes at least a couple of Welsh Pembroke corgis. Learn about her history with this breed in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/queen-corgis.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pinky toe is actually an important element in how we humans usually walk, jump, skip, etc. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/parts/surprise-pinky-toe-does-serve-purpose.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Muskrats are clever semi-aquatic rodents with a distinct musky scent. Learn more about them (and, yes, 'Muskrat Love') in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/muskrat.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you live in a city 100 miles long but only 650 feet wide? Learn about Saudi Arabia's ambitious Neom Project in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/the-line-saudi-arabia-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have retreats for everything else, so why not survival post-breakup? Learn how these camps hope to help the broken hearted, plus what emotional work they won't cover, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/tips/breakup-bootcamp-surviving-broken-heart.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the U.S., 17.6 million people lack access to healthy food because there aren't any grocery stores or other shops that sell fresh food nearby. Learn about food deserts and how we can fix them in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/americans-still-lack-access-to-healthy-food.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.