BrainStuff

FunStuff Playlist 05: Why Do We Sing in the Shower?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

It's somewhere between tempting and inevitable to break into song in the shower. But why? Learn about the psychology and physiology of shower singing in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about...

FunStuff Playlist 09: How Did Desi Arnaz Change Television?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

Lucille Ball's ex-husband wasn't just her 'I Love Lucy' co-star and writing partner -- Desi Arnaz changed the way television is produced and watched. Learn about his contributions to the industry...

FunStuff Playlist 02: Why Are Some Words Funny?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

Words like 'poop' and 'wiggle' are inherently humorous, and science may have figured out why. Learn what science has to say about why some words tickle us in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more...

FunStuff Playlist 08: Can Absurdly Big Numbers Be Useful?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

The bigger that numbers get, the harder they are for us to conceive of -- but that doesn't mean they can't be useful. Learn about some just ridiculously huge numbers in this episode of BrainStuff....

FunStuff Playlist 06: Did Pirates Really Talk Like That?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

One guy is responsible for what we think pirates sounded like. Learn how actor Robert Newton changed the world in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

FunStuff Playlist 07: Why Do Books Smell So Good?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

Researchers have set out to catalog the scent compounds that make books and libraries smell so welcoming. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

FunStuff Playlist 04: Do Humans and Bananas Really Share Half Their DNA?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

You may have heard that people share about 50 percent of their DNA with bananas, and while there's a seed of truth to that, it's not quite right. Learn about our genetic similarity to fruit and...

FunStuff Playlist 03: Do Dogs Use Facial Expressions to 'Talk' to Us?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

It seems that dogs make more expressive faces when humans are watching. Are they trying to communicate? Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

FunStuff Playlist 01: Why Do Flying Squirrels Glow Hot Pink in UV Light?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

As it turns out, most flying squirrels glow hot pink in ultraviolet light. Learn what researchers think may be the reason in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

FunStuff Playlist 10: Will the Paper of the Future Be Made of Poop?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

It might sound gross, but it's eco-friendly: Paper is made from plant pulp. Animals that eat plants excrete plant pulp. Learn why some scientists have high hopes for poo-pyrus in this episode of...

Were Turtles Once the Size of Cars?

Hinzugefügt: 19. März 2020

Spoiler alert: Yep. A prehistoric species of freshwater sea turtles was a hundred times heavier than its modern relatives. Learn more about this giant in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more...

Farts Can Be Silent, But Can They Be Deadly?

Hinzugefügt: 18. März 2020

It's highly unlikely that most farts spread disease, but there is one strange case in the medical records. Learn why passing gas is almost always safe (except for our noses) in this episode of...

Why Are Four-Leaf Clovers Considered Lucky?

Hinzugefügt: 17. März 2020

Four-leaf clovers have long been held as a symbol of good fortune. Learn why they're so rare (and why Saint Patrick used three-leaf clovers in his teachings) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn...

Is Old Faithful Becoming Less Faithful?

Hinzugefügt: 17. März 2020

The famous Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park has been changing its eruption patterns over the past few decades -- but it's still incredibly predictable. Learn why in this episode of...

BrainStuff Classics: How Do Bed Bugs Work?

Hinzugefügt: 15. März 2020

These insects live in your furniture, drink your blood, and stain your sheets. Learn how they thrive -- and how to get rid of them -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your...

What Is Pi?

Hinzugefügt: 14. März 2020

Today is Pi Day -- a celebration of the number pi (and pies, and mathematics in general). Learn what pi is and how this holiday came about in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your...

Why Are We Afraid of Friday the 13th?

Hinzugefügt: 13. März 2020

Many Westerners are wary of any Friday that falls on the 13th of a month for reasons rooted in pop culture and ancient theology alike. Learn how these ancient memes got started in this episode of...

How Does Saturn Work?

Hinzugefügt: 12. März 2020

Saturn is our solar system's second-biggest planet, the most elliptical in shape, and has a stunning set of rings. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

Why Do Cars Have Alarms If We Ignore Them?

Hinzugefügt: 11. März 2020

People who live in areas that depend on cars for transportation may be so used to car alarms that they ignore them completely -- but that doesn't mean the alarms aren't useful. Learn why in this...

What Else Did Shel Silverstein Write?

Hinzugefügt: 10. März 2020

Most people know Shel Silverstein for his books of children's poetry like "Where the Sidewalk Ends," but he was a prolific writer. Learn more about Silverstein's life in this episode of BrainStuff....