BrainStuff

Around the turn of the 20th century, career criminal George C. Parker 'sold' property he didn't own, from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dozens of times over. Learn more about his scams in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/conman-sold-brooklyn-bridge.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Gallium is super rare, really useful in LEDs and smartphones, and will melt in your hand -- but won't boil until it hits 4000 degrees Fahrenheit. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/gallium.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When animals sploot (that is, lay flat on their bellies with their limbs spread out) on a hot day, they're taking advantage of a cool surface. Learn about humans' sweating versus other animals' splooting in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/splooting.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media is designed to keep you scrolling -- but too much negative news can be, well, too much. Learn why we doomscroll and how you can stop in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/networks/doomscrolling.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Intestinal parasites that plagued our ancestors seem to have led to a genetic adaptation that's causing emphysema and COPD today. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/respiratory/viking-toilet-investigation-emphysema.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Statues of this jolly fellow adorn the register counters of many restaurants -- but he's not the Buddha. Learn about this Buddhist deity in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/that-fat-jolly-fella-isnt-buddha.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite being a widespread condition, Alzheimer's is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Learn why (plus how researchers hope to make it easier) in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/dementia/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-cure-for-alzheimers.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During fall and spring migrations, building lights can confuse birds, causing deadly crashes. Learn how Lights Out programs are helping in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/lights-out-program-birds.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Baby kangaroos live in their mother's pouch for months after birth, and return sometimes even after they're mobile. Learn why, plus what it's like in there, in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/kangaroo-pouch.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up to 1 in every 50 pregnancies are ectopic -- that is, they implant outside the uterus and cannot be saved. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and confusion surrounding this common issue in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/complications/10009-what-is-an-ectopic-pregnancy.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The U.S. Federal Reserve is responsible for keeping the country's economy running smoothly. Learn why interest rate changes are one of the Fed's tools in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/fed-change-interest-rate.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Birds can migrate thousands of miles and back home again with no prior knowledge or assistance thanks to their superpowered vision. Learn about magnetoreception in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a tipping point at which even lottery skeptics buy tickets for a big jackpot -- and lottery companies bank on it. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/behavior/powerball-tipping-point-what-size-jackpot-makes-you-play.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public health organizations around the world are trying to control this year's outbreaks of monkeypox with vaccination programs. Learn about monkeypox and its vaccines in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/respiratory/monkeypox.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1960s, the U.S. Central Intellience Agency tried to turn a cat into a cyborg secret agent with implanted audio equipment. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/acoustic-kitty.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of baseball's minor leagues are already using tech called the automated ball-strike system to help human umpires call pitches more accurately. Learn about these so-called robo-umpires in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/robot-umpires-baseball-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Snails the size of your fist are invading central Florida. Learn how this invasive species works in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/giant-african-land-snails-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research shows that artists' brains don't respond to monetary motivation the way that other people's do. Learn why this might be -- and whether it means we creative types are doomed to poverty -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/perception/are-artists-hardwired-for-poverty.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Most hydrogen peroxide sold to consumers comes in opaque brown bottles. Learn why in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/why-does-hydrogen-peroxide-come-in-brown-bottle.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most scientific inquiry into birdsong has studied male birds because they're sometimes chattier. Learn what studying female birds might teach us in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/know-why-female-bird-sings.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The American Constitution was a hard-fought compromise between states with large and small populations. Learn about the New Jersey Plan vs. the Virgina Plan in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/virginia-plan-vs-new-jersey-plan.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if we haven't made alien contact because they're keeping Earth like a zoo? It may be unlikely, but learn about the zoo hypothesis in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/space/aliens-ufos/zoo-hypothesis.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some clothing and bedding is advertised as 'cooling,' but what does that mean? Do they really work? Learn about how some fabrics can cool you down in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/cooling-fabrics.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria spread by ticks, is very treatable when caught early. Learn the symptoms and how to prevent it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/infectious/lyme-disease.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anxiety can cause sweaty palms and armpits -- but why? And how can you combat it? Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/anxiety-cause-underarm-sweat.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.