BrainStuff

Astronauts report that our little corner of space has a particular scent. Learn what might cause this in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/space-smell.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans have been using urine to test for pregnancy for thousands of years -- with the help of wheat, barley, rabbits, and frogs. Learn how reliable home tests became available in 1978 thanks to immunoassay technology in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/conception/rabbit-pregnancy.htm See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Dogs have eyes that are primed to see motion better than color, but they're not colorblind. Learn more about dogs' vision in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/are-dogs-colorblind.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if traffic lights could adjust for the actual flow of traffic happening at any given moment? Learn how smart, networked technology could help drivers (and pedestrians) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/smart-traffic-lights-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sure, you can get a watermelon to burst by squeezing it with rubber bands, but sometimes this fruit explodes all on its own. Learn how microbes and genetics are responsible in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/exploding-watermelon.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insect populations are in trouble, but creating shelters for them could help. Learn the basics of building an insect hotel in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/insect-hotel.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research shows that parts of a person's face grow cooler depending on their mood and stress level. Could this be used to help people in stressful jobs, like pilots? Learn more in this classic BrainStuff episode, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/nervous-system/concentration-makes-face-grow-cooler.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a cellular level, a lot goes on from ovulation through the first stages of pregnancy. Learn about the biology of fertilization and implantation in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/conception/conception-process.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The volcano that sits under the surface of Yellowstone National Park could do massive damage, but it isn't likely to erupt anytime soon. Learn more about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/what-if/what-if-yellowstone-supervolcano-erupted.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v Wade in 1973 guaranteed national rights to some types of abortions. Learn how the case was decided and how it was overturned in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://money.howstuffworks.com/10-overturned-supreme-court-cases.htm; https://people.howstuffworks.com/famous-supreme-court-cases.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Beyond the U.S. gun control debate, another question deserves examination: Why are schools so frequently the sites of mass gun violence in America? We explore the psychology and potential solutions in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/why-do-school-shootings-keep-happening-in-us.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the age of 67, Emma Gatewood became the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail alone in a single season. Learn her story in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/grandma-gatewood.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turning your AC's temperature setting up a few degrees can save a lot of money, but turning the unit off isn't usually necessary. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/green-living/should-turn-ac-up.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Infant formula mimicking breastmilk was only invented in the past 150 years, but babies have been hungry forever. Learn what caregivers used to do when breastmilk was unavailable in this episode of BrainStuff: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/baby-health/infant-health/infant-formula-history.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is a technical masterpiece, but the portrait wasn't famous until centuries after its creation. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/artwork/mona-lisa.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Magpies, though sometimes maligned, are fascinating birds that can recognize themselves in mirrors and have funerary practices. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/magpie.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are drinking more wine than they used to. Could the ever-increasing size of wine glasses be behind this trend? Learn how today's average serving stacks up against history's in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/much-does-favorite-wine-glass-hold.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your cat licks you, you may have wondered: Are they trying to groom you? Are they being affectionate? Do you has a flavor?? Learn about cats' licking behavior in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/why-does-cat-lick-me.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cities around the world are appointing Heat Officers to identify dangers and help protect citizens from rising temperatures. Learn how these officials work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/chief-heat-officers-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The symbols for the dollar ($), euro (€), rupee (₹), and pound (£) are everywhere, but how did they come to be? Learn the history behind these symbols in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/currency-symbols.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If rehab helps patients recover after a surgery, prehab helps patients get ready for that recovery beforehand. Learn how prehabilitation works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/surgeries-procedures/prehab-before-surgery.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. House has passed legislation that would mandate more background checks during gun sales, but these bills (H.R. 8, H.R. 1446, and the Protecting Our Kids Act) are stuck in the Senate. Learn more about how they would change the law in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/hr8-gun-background-checks-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Dogs are pretty much guaranteed to find the smelliest stuff to roll in -- but why? Learn what may be behind this gross instinct in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/dogs-love-rolling-in-stinky-stuff.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Santa Anas are winds that sweep hot air over Southern California, both clearing the air and exacerbating wildfires. Learn how they work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/santa-ana-winds.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It turns out that as a species, alligators have remained unchanged for millions of years longer than anyone knew. Learn how researchers discovered this in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/alligator-species-8-million-years-old.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.