BrainStuff

The two things that make showers on Earth delightful are hot water and gravity, but in space, both are in limited supply. Learn how astronauts have made do over the years in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop culture often shows cats happily sipping saucers of milk, but giving a cat milk isn't actually the best treat for it -- or you. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the black plague ravaged the rest of France, Paris remained relatively untouched -- and they may have had their fondness for lemonade to thank. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. presidents have the power to pardon anyone from punishment surrounding a federal crime, no questions asked. Learn how this clemency works in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whatever else happens, 2021 is going to be a year with some amazing astronomical events. Learn when they're happening and how to watch them in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have always been parties surrounding U.S. presidential inaugurations, but the events themselves didn't become star-studded until fairly recently. Learn about the history of performances surrounding inaugurations in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth can help your heart, immune system, and even your anxiety levels. 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.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is profound -- his activism changed the course of history. Including, oddly enough, 'Star Trek'. Learn how he inspired Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played Uhura, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not all flatulence is created equal -- your diet has a huge impact on the gas you pass. So whose farts are smellier: vegetarians or omnivores? Learn the answer in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fringe theorists sometimes question whether the 1969 moon landing actually happened. In this classic episode of BrainStuff, we explore how astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin have reacted when asked whether it's all a conspiracy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Universal basic income is a form of monthly payments to citizens from their government with the idea that financial security makes people (and maybe even economies) healthier. Learn more about UBI and guaranteed income in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After abstaining from alcohol in January, research shows that drinkers consume less in the following months, too. Learn more about Dry January in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Populist leaders have been coming into power all over the world over the past few years. Learn what populism is -- and why it concerns political scientists -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This savory sauce with a difficult name dates back to the early 1800s. Learn about its history and ingredients in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yuri Gagarin was the Soviet cosmonaut who braved the first flight into space in 1961. Learn about his life (and tragic early death) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bats, dolphins, and other animals all use sonar to navigate, but the narwhal has them all beat, and it's thanks to narwhals' distinctive horns. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are again asking whether the 25th Amendment might be enacted to remove the current president. But what does this Amendment say, and what can it really do? Learn about it 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 you've seen rippling patterns in the blades of knives or swords, that's Damascus steel. Learn its history and how it's made today in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flightless birds that live in brutal Antarctic temperatures and partner up for life -- penguins are cool (pun absolutely intended). Learn more about them in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, the Arecibo Radio Telescope has let us investigate parts of our universe near and far. Learn its history -- and why it had to be shut down -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many local governments pass out stickers to the voters who cast a ballot on election day. It might seem silly, but those stickers have a real effect. Learn about the psychology behind 'I Voted!' stickers in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graham crackers are a sweetened, mass-produced baked good today, but they started out as a homemade, ascetic-diet food. Learn about Sylvester Graham and the history of his crackers in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Body odor happens when bacteria thrive in our sweat, so the ways your clothes deal with sweat can make a difference. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To draw attention to the average citizen's carbon footprint, a team of researchers calculated the eco-rating of a number of superheroes. Learn how they rank in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A farm in South Carolina ensured the health and welfare of the monkeys that were instrumental in the development of polio vaccines. Learn the history of Okatie Farms in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.