BrainStuff

Smartphone apps like Lyft and even Facebook seem able to identify our location with near-perfect accuracy, but the 911 emergency service still struggles. Learn why -- and what's being done about it...

The research facility on New York's Plum Island holds some of the most dangerous livestock diseases known to humankind. Learn about its history (and uncertain future) in this episode of BrainStuff....

The research facility on New York's Plum Island holds some of the most dangerous livestock diseases known to humankind. Learn about its history (and uncertain future) in this episode of...

Bacteria can survive way longer than humans under the right conditions, so a team of researchers designed an experiment on microbes that will take 500 years to complete. Learn more in this episode...

Bacteria can survive way longer than humans under the right conditions, so a team of researchers designed an experiment on microbes that will take 500 years to complete. Learn more in this episode...

Short answer: Yeah, probably. Most Westerners have traded squatting for sitting and standing, to the detriment of our backs and joints. Learn the benefits of a good squat -- and how you can...

Short answer: Yeah, probably. Most Westerners have traded squatting for sitting and standing, to the detriment of our backs and joints. Learn the benefits of a good squat -- and how you can...

After 15 years, NASA has officially ended the mission of the Mars rover Opportunity. Learn what the little-robot-that-could helped us discover about the planet (and interplanetary missions) in this...

After 15 years, NASA has officially ended the mission of the Mars rover Opportunity. Learn what the little-robot-that-could helped us discover about the planet (and interplanetary missions) in this...

The oldest known intact Earth rock was collected on the moon in the 1970s. Learn how researchers think it got there it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

The oldest known intact Earth rock was collected on the moon in the 1970s. Learn how researchers think it got there it in this episode of BrainStuff.Learn more about advertising on the...

Researchers have found genes that help determine the shapes of fruits and vegetables. Learn how this could (and couldn't) change what you see at the grocery store in today's episode of BrainStuff. ...

Researchers have found genes that help determine the shapes of fruits and vegetables. Learn how this could (and couldn't) change what you see at the grocery store in today's episode of BrainStuff....

About 500 years ago, creating clever collective nouns for groups of animals, objects, and people was trendy, and some of those nouns of assemblage stuck. Learn the history of this quirk of the...

About 500 years ago, creating clever collective nouns for groups of animals, objects, and people was trendy, and some of those nouns of assemblage stuck. Learn the history of this quirk of the...

Some people hold that the number 23 has near-magical significance, but how did this fascination start? And can mere coincidences have real meaning? Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn...

Some people hold that the number 23 has near-magical significance, but how did this fascination start? And can mere coincidences have real meaning? Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff.Learn...

Sloths only defecate once a week or so, and more sloths die during the process than at any other time. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

Sloths only defecate once a week or so, and more sloths die during the process than at any other time. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff.Learn more about advertising on the HowStuffWorks...

Many modern cities feature grided streets made for walking, but suburbs' wide, winding roads require cars to get around. Learn why, plus how it might change, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn...