BrainStuff

The two aren't interchangeable -- baking powder consists of baking soda plus other stuff. Learn how both work -- and how to make baking powder from soda -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spoiler alert: Yep, Dr. Seuss modeled the Grinch on himself. Learn how the generally joyful writer created such an infamous sourpuss in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Champagne is a type of sparkling wine made under a particular set of rules to protect it from imitators -- but it wasn't always so prized. Learn the history and science of what goes into a bottle of bubbles in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tradition of dropping a ball in Times Square to mark the beginning of a new year only goes back about a century. Learn about the history -- plus four weird things that other cities drop instead -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Though it started as a symbol of nuclear disarmament, the peace sign has grown to apply to (and be applied to) all kinds of things -- but the creator didn't mind; he'd hoped it'd take off. Learn the history of the peace sign in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s true – some people hear colors, or taste words. Learn how synesthesia works in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a lot of natural variation in the color of human hair. Learn the physical explanation for the difference in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know "stop, drop, and roll," but a new fire safety tip is equally important: "close before you doze". Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, there's a secret apartment atop the Eiffel tower -- and it's filled with science! Learn how it came to be -- and how it actually saved the tower from destruction -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bing Crosby and hundreds of other singers have expressed their desire to see snow on Christmas, by why? Learn the history of this popular holiday song in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How could a reindeer have developed a glowing red nose, and how does it work? Learn the science behind Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer's distinctive feature in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Male humans very rarely lactate, so why do they have nipples? Learn why evolution didn't edit that feature out in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have heard that the Brontosaurus never existed, but that isn't quite right. Learn how a feud between ex-friends created confusion surrounding this dinosaur in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If the sound of gum being chewed or the crinkle of plastic fills you with inarticulate, homicidal fury (or any other inexplicable emotion), you may be experiencing misophonia. Learn how researchers think it works in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a German Jewish woman who came of age around WWI, Hedwig Kohn defeated all odds against her to live a long, successful life as a physicist. Learn her story in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our use of electric lights after dark can mess with our circadian rhythms and make it harder to get a good night's sleep. Learn how a mere weekend of camping might help you reset in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have heard about a red tide menacing ocean beaches, but what causes it -- and can it be stopped? Learn about the algae that cause Florida's red tide in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outside of Japan and the fanciest restaurants, most "wasabi" served with sushi is an imitation of the real thing. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, yes, there was once a job in royal courts called Groom of the Stool, and yes, it involved dealing with the king's poop. Learn why it was actually a covetable position in this episode of BrainStuff.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Pop Rocks really blow the door off of a delivery van? Has anyone ever died from eating this unique (and uniquely loud) candy? Learn the truth behind the rumors surrounding Pop Rocks in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We may not have mutant powers like the X-Men, but natural selection is still changing humanity… for the better. Learn about some of humanity's most useful modern mutations in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spoiler alert: Sometimes! Not all molds are harmful, and some are even helpful -- but it's not always OK to cut away spots of mold and eat the food it was growing on. Learn when it is in this episode of BrainStuff.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Modern concrete crumbles when exposed to the elements, but ancient Roman concrete only gets stronger over time. Learn how this is possible -- and why we're not using their recipe -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We live in the incredible future of scanners, internet connectivity, and digital signatures -- so why do people still use fax machines? Learn why faxing perseveres in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no call to be pedantic, but sometimes a tiny punctuation mark can make a huge difference in meaning. Learn how the Oxford comma changed a judge's decision in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.