Brainstuff

Water usually appears clear, but ice cubes and ice on lakes often looks cloudy. Learn what has to happen for ice to freeze clear (like black ice does on roads) in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/why-ice-usually-freezes-cloudy-and-not-clear.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of the trees decorated for Christmas don't naturally grow in a perfect cone shape -- so how do they get that way, and why did we decide on that shape in the first place? Learn about the history of Christmas trees in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/do-christmas-trees-get-shape.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although this holiday has been around for a long time, the way we celebrate in the U.S. largely developed during the 1800s. Learn about the books, celebrities, and political cartoons that made Christmas in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/19th-century-invented-modern-christmas.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The human eye is basically only limited by the curvature of the Earth and stuff that gets in its way. (Well, and various medical conditions.) Learn how far we can see in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/question198.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paris has a centralized lost-and-found station that's received everything from umbrellas to human skulls. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/paris-lost-and-found.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Comstock Act was designed to criminalize anything considered indecent in the 1870s, from saucy personal letters to pamphlets about contraception. Learn how it's being revived today by anti-abortion activists in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/comstock-act.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These beautiful billfish have fins almost as big as their whole bodies. Learn more about sailfish in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/sailfish.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spoiler alert: Yes! Learn the science that makes wine and cheese go so well together in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/happy-hour-alert-cheese-really-improves-the-taste-wine.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This horned holiday demon has entered our pop culture consciousness, but where do Krampus legends come from? Learn about the history of Krampusnacht in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-traditions/where-did-krampus-come-from.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We think we have a solid scientific answer to this fun puzzler. Learn about the evolution of eggs and chickens in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/question85.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From humble planters to ancient statuary, terracotta is a seriously useful material. Learn more about this earthenware in today's epidose of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/gardening/garden-design/terracotta.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The short answer here is 'very efficiently'! Though perhaps best known as the second man on the moon, Buzz Aldrin is a tireless champion of space exploration. Learn more in this episode of BrainsStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/buzz-aldrin.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These bright winter houseplants are better known for their leaves than their flowers, and they only get their color by being kept in the dark. Learn the history and science behind poinsettias in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/poinsettia.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zionism is the nationalist movement that established Israel and continues to support Judiaism's claim to that aland. It's also one of the most controversial and complex movements of our time. Learn how it got started in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/world-history/zionism.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These social, tree-dwelling monkeys are some of the smallest in the world. Learn more about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/marmoset.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Inca never developed a system of writing, but they kept records and told stories through intricate knotwork. Learn what researchers know -- and what they're still looking to find out -- about Inca khipu in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-traditions/unraveling-khipu-inca-knot-language.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have heard that the tryptophan in turkey causes holiday naps, but it might not be the real culprit. Learn some turkey science in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/question519.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of what's taught about 'the first Thanksgiving' is actually more Civil-War-era propaganda than true fact. Learn how this brief moment of peace might've gone down, plus how we got today's traditions, in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-other/10-thanksgiving-history-myths.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a gross but very useful fact that some insects will eat deceased humans, because scientists can observe those insects to learn about where and when a person died. Learn about forensic entomology in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/forensic-entomology.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This cactus is a source of food and construction material for people and animals alike, especially during the dry season in the Sonaran Desert. Learn more about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/saguaro-cactus.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.