BrainStuff

It takes a lot of water and some toxic chemicals to dye our denim blue. Learn how research into chitosan could make the process more environmentally friendly in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/sustainable/denim-dyeing.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North American hognose snakes are among the creatures that will dramatically feign death to escape predators. Learn about these reptiles (and thanatosis) in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/snakes/hognose-snake.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We associate nitrates with processed meats, but they occur in vegetables, too -- and they're not all bad. Learn more about nitrates and nitrites in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/nitrates.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our changing climate is creating all kinds of effects -- including some surprising historical reveals. Learn about a few of the human remains, dinosaur tracks, and WWII relics that receding waters have uncovered in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/archaeology/droughts-uncover-ancient-artifacts-news.htm See omnystudio.com/liste...

When Queen Elizabeth II died in September of 2022, she left a legacy that includes at least a couple of Welsh Pembroke corgis. Learn about her history with this breed in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/queen-corgis.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pinky toe is actually an important element in how we humans usually walk, jump, skip, etc. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/parts/surprise-pinky-toe-does-serve-purpose.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Muskrats are clever semi-aquatic rodents with a distinct musky scent. Learn more about them (and, yes, 'Muskrat Love') in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/muskrat.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you live in a city 100 miles long but only 650 feet wide? Learn about Saudi Arabia's ambitious Neom Project in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/the-line-saudi-arabia-news.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have retreats for everything else, so why not survival post-breakup? Learn how these camps hope to help the broken hearted, plus what emotional work they won't cover, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/tips/breakup-bootcamp-surviving-broken-heart.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the U.S., 17.6 million people lack access to healthy food because there aren't any grocery stores or other shops that sell fresh food nearby. Learn about food deserts and how we can fix them in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/americans-still-lack-access-to-healthy-food.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Around the turn of the 20th century, career criminal George C. Parker 'sold' property he didn't own, from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dozens of times over. Learn more about his scams in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/conman-sold-brooklyn-bridge.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Gallium is super rare, really useful in LEDs and smartphones, and will melt in your hand -- but won't boil until it hits 4000 degrees Fahrenheit. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/gallium.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When animals sploot (that is, lay flat on their bellies with their limbs spread out) on a hot day, they're taking advantage of a cool surface. Learn about humans' sweating versus other animals' splooting in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/splooting.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media is designed to keep you scrolling -- but too much negative news can be, well, too much. Learn why we doomscroll and how you can stop in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/networks/doomscrolling.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Intestinal parasites that plagued our ancestors seem to have led to a genetic adaptation that's causing emphysema and COPD today. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/respiratory/viking-toilet-investigation-emphysema.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Statues of this jolly fellow adorn the register counters of many restaurants -- but he's not the Buddha. Learn about this Buddhist deity in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/that-fat-jolly-fella-isnt-buddha.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite being a widespread condition, Alzheimer's is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Learn why (plus how researchers hope to make it easier) in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/dementia/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-cure-for-alzheimers.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During fall and spring migrations, building lights can confuse birds, causing deadly crashes. Learn how Lights Out programs are helping in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/lights-out-program-birds.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Baby kangaroos live in their mother's pouch for months after birth, and return sometimes even after they're mobile. Learn why, plus what it's like in there, in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/kangaroo-pouch.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up to 1 in every 50 pregnancies are ectopic -- that is, they implant outside the uterus and cannot be saved. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and confusion surrounding this common issue in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/complications/10009-what-is-an-ectopic-pregnancy.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The U.S. Federal Reserve is responsible for keeping the country's economy running smoothly. Learn why interest rate changes are one of the Fed's tools in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/fed-change-interest-rate.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Birds can migrate thousands of miles and back home again with no prior knowledge or assistance thanks to their superpowered vision. Learn about magnetoreception in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a tipping point at which even lottery skeptics buy tickets for a big jackpot -- and lottery companies bank on it. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/behavior/powerball-tipping-point-what-size-jackpot-makes-you-play.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public health organizations around the world are trying to control this year's outbreaks of monkeypox with vaccination programs. Learn about monkeypox and its vaccines in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/respiratory/monkeypox.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1960s, the U.S. Central Intellience Agency tried to turn a cat into a cyborg secret agent with implanted audio equipment. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/acoustic-kitty.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.