BrainStuff

Bats use sonar to find food in the dark -- but they've got a lot of competition from other bats. Learn about echolocation and how bats go on the offensive in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although it's an integral part of many people's lives today, the smartphone is bound to be replaced by the next big thing (and probably sooner than later). We explore what (and when) that might be. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A widescale genetic survey has shown that despite common misconceptions, race really is only skin deep. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ice cores from glaciers are like fossils of ancient Earth's weather patterns. Tune in to learn how one such sample from Tibet may hold an important history lesson. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study indicates that some teens bully themselves online, posting hateful messages from fake or anonymous accounts. Researchers are looking into why, and how to help. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers have found Antarctic microbes that appear to get all the nutrients they need from thin air. Could this change our search for extraterrestrial life? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The War on Drugs being waged against opioids is very different than the one that was fought against crack. Learn more about the politics of race and addiction in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us break our New Years resolutions — and researchers have found a few reasons why. Learn how to build a better resolution with this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although it doesn’t fall into our traditional definition of a monopoly, some researchers argue that Amazon’s scope calls for a new definition. Learn why in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Earth-sized planet only 11 light years away might have the right conditions to sustain life as we know it, despite its star having some strange qualities. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new find of very old artwork depicts dogs wearing leashes. Learn more about our history with man’s best friend in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online shipping is highly convenient, and it’s changing the way we use cardboard — but not necessarily for the worse. 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.

What was the Christmas Truce? Tune in to learn the story behind this small miracle from the Great War. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A huge cache of ancient pterosaur eggs has been unearthed in China. Learn what this find can tell us about these flying contemporaries of dinosaurs in this epiosde of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outrunning a volcanic eruption, like many things that look easy in movies or sound simple in theory, is more complicated in reality. Learn why you shouldn't attempt this feat in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bitcoin's booming value has everyone excited, but some financial experts are putting their money on other cryptocurrencies. Learn about the potential future of Bitcoin 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 Bard's tragedy "Macbeth" is cursed. Learn how this superstition came about in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent research has revealed another danger lurking in uncooked dough: tenacious E. coli can survive in dry flour. Learn how scientists figured it out in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some people find it impossible to sleep without background noise, like a fan whirring. Researchers have identified the possible culprit. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research indicates that adult-onset food allergies are more common than previously thought. But why do they happen? Learn more on BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As climate change affects the planet's weather patterns, some parts of the world will see the seasons bleed together. Tune in to learn how we define the seasons now, and how some researchers think that should change. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No, really, it's a serious question. In this episode, learn why -- and how -- researchers have investigated giant land crabs' potential role in the famous pilot's ultimate demise. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you add up all the wasted time and gasoline, traffic hotspots cost drivers billions of dollars. Learn how researchers are using technology to measure the problem -- and hopefully make it better. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new robotic camera is set to change what we know about outer space by capturing huge images of the night sky. Learn more on BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is it about the arrangement of petals on a flower or a perfectly symmetrical display of soup cans that catches our eye? Our brains seem wired for it, but why? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.