BrainStuff

Cash bail punishes the poor by setting a high price on freedom -- literally. But are there any better alternatives? We explore in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article:...

Having a first, middle, and last name is common in the West, but this wasn't always the case. Learn the history of middle names in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article:...

During the Gold Rush, San Francisco's food supply chains couldn't keep up -- and enterprising hunters turned to the eggs of a seabird called the common murre. Learn about the resulting Egg War in...

Anna May Wong was one of the film industry's first Chinese-American actresses, but her success was hard-won. Learn about Wong's life and work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article:...

Some groups of cicadas spend 13 or even 17 years underground in between massive, noisy emergences. Learn about their life cycle and how cicada broods work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on...

In 1815, a massive volcanic eruption kicked off three years of climate chaos across the Northern hemisphere. Learn about some of the surprising effects in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this...

Books are both fragile physical objects and conceptual works as eternal as storytelling itself. Learn about the quest to find the oldest book in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article:...

Researchers have found that cuttlefish's ability to change their color and texture at will is incredibly energy efficient. Learn why -- and how technology might copy this ability -- in this classic...

Planets and stars are basically spheres, but why? We explore the science in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article:...

We're not just navel gazing -- belly buttons are seriously fascinating. Learn how they work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article:...

The British monarchy is both a family and a sweeping institution with economic and political ties. Learn more about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article:...

Not being able to conduct the normal rituals of grieving during the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way our society considers grief altogether. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on...

Cute, fuzzy mammals often get all the attention (and funding) when they land on endangered species lists, but now reptiles are getting an equal spotlight. Learn about the effort to identify and...

Ada Lovelace was the world's first computer programmer. Learn about her life and work with Charles Babbage on an analytical engine in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

The female praying mantis: maneater or misaligned? Learn the science behind this popular semi-myth in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

Spoiler alert: Not yet. But researchers are working on it. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

People like pasta and people like cheese, so is there a single origin story for mac and cheese? Learn how this dish was developed in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices...

We can learn a lot from dinosaur fossils, but the sex of the animal in question is frequently a mystery. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine for COVID-19 is a one-dose viral vector vaccine that's about as effective as the mRNA vaccines available. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more...

During World War I, German forces flew menacing zeppelin airships into war zones -- but they had to give up a lot of sausages to do it. Learn why zeppelins and sausage were both made with cow...