BrainStuff

Hematite is a mineral that we've been using for pigments, as a source of iron, and in other applications for pretty much ever. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/hematite.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have heard that we swallow eight spiders a year in our sleep, but is that really true? We debunk this myth in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/arachnids/do-we-swallow-spiders-in-sleep.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cryptocurrency has many benefits, but currently comes at a high energy cost -- and a huge, negative environmental impact. Learn what the industry is doing about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/conservation/issues/cryptocurrency-climate-change-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Se...

Though they were denied the ability to even apply for citizenship for decades, Asians and Pacific Islanders helped shape civil rights and workers' rights in America. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-traditions/asian-american-history.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.c...

Ancient ruins, long grown over by massive forests, can be found painlessly -- thanks to lasers. Learn how LiDAR is preserving forests and uncovering lost Mayan infrastructure in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/future-tech/scientists-use-lidar-to-discover-massive-lost-mayan-city.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ihea...

You've probably heard you should cut back on salt, but we need it to survive -- we're hardwired to crave it. Learn how to reduce sodium and why in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/salt-breaking-up-is-hard-to-do.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio...

Poe was a writer known for his eerie and mysterious stories, but his own life ended just as strangely. Learn about him in this special episode of BrainStuff, with a reading of his poem 'The Raven' in iHeart 3D, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/edgar-allan-poe.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/l...

Tourism has taken a serious hit during COVID-19, but some port cities are glad for the loss of the crowding and pollution that the cruise industry brings. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/cruise-ships-bans.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story goes that one Captain Sluman Gray died during a voyage in the 1860s, and was laid to rest in a barrel of rum then shipped back home for burial -- barrel and all. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/ballad-pickled-whaling-captain-from-connecticut.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodc...

Researchers are developing a paint that can reflect over 98 percent of sunlight, which could help keep buildings cool during hot summers. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/sustainable/ultra-white-paint.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Rare animals called bilateral gynandromorphs can exhibit male traits on one side of their bodies and female traits on the other. Learn more about chimeras in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/yes-half-male-and-half-female-animals-do-exist.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/l...

Botox wrinkle therapy contains a tiny dose of a deadly bacterial toxin originally found in spoiled sausages. Learn the history of botulinum toxin, plus how it's used in non-cosmetic medicine, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/digestive/rotten-sausages-botox-botulism.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.i...

When we take medications, we sometimes excrete chemicals that get flushed into our oceans. Learn how fluoxetine (Prozac) is chilling crabs out -- which isn't great -- in this classic BrainStuff episode, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/prozac-water-ocean-crab-behavior.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/lis...

Before modern surgical techniques and materials, artists sometimes created realistic face masks for veterans and other patients. Learn about the work of Anna Coleman Ladd in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/anna-coleman-ladd-helped-disfigured-soldiers-live-better-lives.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartp...

The American film, television, and music industries host award galas every year -- but how did these awards get their names? Learn the history in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/oscar-tony-emmy-award-names.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1850s, a newspaper published anonymous details about a mysterious set of encoded papers that supposedly point to buried treasure -- but they've never been cracked. Learn about the Beale Ciphers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/beale-ciphers.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com...

Paprika is a lot more than a just pretty topping. Learn how paprika is made and where it comes from in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/paprika.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elephants get cancer so rarely that researchers went looking for a genetic reason, and they found one. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/zombie-gene-protects-elephants-from-cancer.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicken eggs come in a spectrum of colors, but they all cook up the same. Learn how they're created in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/white-brown-green-chicken-eggs-whats-difference.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The most hazardous air pollution may be particles too tiny to see, but it also may be easily avoided. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/when-it-comes-to-air-pollution-tiniest-particles-might-be-worst.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Koalas eat nothing but eucalyptus, which is poisonous to many mammals in large amounts. Learn how they do it (and how they smell) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/koala-smell-like-cough-drop.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lots of astronauts have performed music in space, just for fun or for wider audiences. Learn what considerations it takes in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/astronauts-play-music-in-space.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lots of attention is paid to an American president's first 100 days in office, but why? Learn the history (and why we have FDR to thank) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/why-do-we-care-the-first-100-days.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In some situations, whistling just makes more sense than talking. Learn about whistled languages in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/whistled-languages.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mesa Verde National Park, the only national park devoted primarily to a historic cultural site, is home to dwellings built impressively into steep cliffs. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/mesa-verde-national-park-ga.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...