BrainStuff

Apr 14 2025 2545 ep. 5 mins 38.6k
BrainStuff Podcast artwork

Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on BrainStuff to explore -- and explain -- the everyday science in the world around us.

  Science  Technology
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How Does the 'Zombie Ant' Fungus Work?

Apr 14 2025 7 mins  
Some specialized fungi can hijack the behavior of ants, wasps, and spiders in order to spread their spores. Learn about the real-life Cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps fungi that inspired 'The Last of Us' in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/zombie-ant-fungus.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati

2025-03-27-brainstuff-anne-frank

Mar 27 2025 13 mins  
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BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Whales Big (But Not Bigger)?

Mar 26 2025 4 mins  
Whales are some of the largest creatures on Earth -- but why? And why aren't they bigger? Learn a whale of a tale about ocean mammals in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BrainStuff Classics: Was Earth's Oldest Rock Found on the Moon?

Mar 25 2025 6 mins  
The oldest known intact Earth rock was collected on the moon in the 1970s. Learn how researchers think it got there it in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Were Prehistoric 'Hell Pigs'?

Mar 24 2025 6 mins  
Enormous, pig-like omnivores with bone-barbed faces and long tusks once hunted and fought throughout what's now North America, Eurasia, and Africa. Learn about the entelodonts in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/extinct-animals/prehistoric-hell-pigs-once-roamed-earth.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Did We Start Calling American Citizens 'Consumers'?

Mar 23 2025 7 mins  
Sometime in the 1900s, Americans began referring to themselves as consumers more often than as citizens. Learn how this mindset can make a real difference in how we take responsibility for our communities in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/american-citizens-versus-consumers.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

How Does Saliva Work?

Mar 22 2025 8 mins  
Saliva is something you probably (hopefully?) don't think about too much, but it helps you speak, eat, taste, and even digest. Learn about the wonders of spit in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/digestive/saliva-change-food.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who Was Harriet Tubman?

Mar 21 2025 12 mins  
Harriet Tubman helped people escape slavery, ran intelligence missions for the Union during the Civil War, and set up the first nursing home for Black Americans. Learn more about her in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/harriet-tubman.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Pluto Really Not a Planet?

Mar 20 2025 8 mins  
Although the International Astronomical Union demoted Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet in 2006, some scientists think it deserves to be reinstated. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/pluto-is-it-planet-after-all.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Do Flying Snakes Work?

Feb 26 2025 6 mins  
Flying snakes don't really fly, but they can glide long distances from rainforst treetops. Learn what we know (and don't know!) about them in this episoe of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/snakes/flying-snakes.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.