Brainstuff

The word 'hack' was once simply a verb meaning to cut roughly -- it's now a noun and verb with several meanings, from a bad writer to computer criminal. Learn how it transformed in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/word-hack.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharks are such successful hunters in part because their senses are so well-adapted to finding prey in the water. Learn about sharks' senses of smell, hearing, sight, taste, and electroreception in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/sharks/shark-senses.htm/printable; https://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/sharks/shark-yummy-hum.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first woman to ride around the world on a bicycle embarked in 1894, a time when it was still a little scandalous for women to ride bikes at all. Learn the story of Annie 'Londonderry' Kopchovsky in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/annie-londonderry.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have heard that you shouldn't eat oysters in any month without the letter R in its name. Learn where this idea came from -- and why it's not true anymore -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/food-nutrition/raw-oysters-are-safe-to-eat-every-month-year.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Using the bathroom in near-zero gravity is exactly as tricky as it sounds. Learn how space bathrooms have worked (and sometimes not worked) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/10-moments-space-bathrooms.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These large, intelligent North American birds weren't everyone's first choice for a United States icon. Learn more about bald eagles in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/bald-eagles.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems miraculous that art can be so moving, but there are several scientific theories about it. Learn what we know (and what we don't) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/music-and-art-move-us.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1930s, stones surfaced that might explain what happened to the settlers of the lost colony of Roanoke. Learn their story -- plus how modern science might help determine whether they're real -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/dare-stones-forgery-or-key-to-lost-colony-roanoke-mystery.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bruises can turn a rainbow of colors before they heal -- but why? Learn the science behind color-changing contusions in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/health-factors/why-do-bruises-change-colors-as-heal.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound needs matter to travel through -- and matter is scattered pretty far and wide in space. Learn more about how hearing works and how space works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/humans-hear-in-space.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dingoes are Australia's wiley wild canines -- and yes, they can be dangerous to humans. Learn about the origin of this pop culture phrase in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/dingo.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Emanicaption Proclamation didn't immediately free any enslaved people -- it wasn't meant to. Learn how it succeeded at its actual purpose -- demoralizing the Confederacy -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/lincoln-emancipation-proclamation.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pickled cucumbers are a simple snack favored by everyone from deli-goers to Cleopatra. Learn the science and history behind pickling in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-science/pickle-history.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All exercise is good for keeping us healthier and happier -- but some kinds of exercise can actually help you live longer, too. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/which-athletes-live-longest.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you take a pull of air from a helium balloon, you'll sound like a cartoon version of yourself for a few seconds. Learn why helium makes you so high pitched in this episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After our sun dies, it and many other stars will eventually crystallize. Learn how astrophysicists figured this out -- and how it works -- in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/after-sun-dies-itll-become-stellar-crystal.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Though his formal education and financial means were limited, Cesar Chavez succeeded in unionizing California farm workers as no one had before. Learn about his life and dedication to La Causa in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/cesar-chavez.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giraffe's necks contain only seven vertabrae, just like ours, but can be several feet long. Learn how their bodies adapted to this amazing structure in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/giraffe-neck.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aspic is savory gelatin that can serve as a sort of showstopping, jiggly salad. Learn the science behind how it's made (and a few guesses about why) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/aspic.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It wasn't a total cultural collapse, but several Maya cities were abandonded all around the same time. Learn how natural and human-driven climate change may have been key in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/climate-change-end-mayan-civilization.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.