Brainstuff

With the world changing so quickly, it may seem strange that Plato is still so often required reading in philosophy and education programs. Learn why his work has survived in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The reef manta rays of eastern Australia are normally black and white, but one specimen is a shocking bight pink. Learn about the manta ray nicknamed Inspector Clouseau in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COVID-19 is not a foodborne illness, but to be careful, you might want to disinfect food packaging and fresh produce using a doctor-approved modified sterile technique. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fire extinguishers are nearly ubiquitous, and they can be invaluable, life-saving devices. Learn what’s inside those little red cylinders, and how they can stop a fire, in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GDP, GNP – what does it all mean? Learn what economists are saying when they bring up these common economic indicators in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mural 'The Last Supper' made da Vinci famous, but it wasn't what he wanted to work on at the time. Learn the history of the painting (and what historians still argue about within it) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's OK if you're confused by the concept of entropy -- it can mean different things in different situations and disciplines. Learn about the second law of thermodynamics in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a person is having trouble breathing on their own, ventilators can help keep them alive until the underlying problem can be treated. Learn how they work and how they're being improved in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ghee is a shelf-stable, nutty-flavored type of clarified butter. Learn how to make it and cook with it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Because being a globetrotter isn't always practical, many cultural sites and museums have virtual tours available online. Learn about a few of our favorites in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s no secret that some animal species are highly intelligent – but can they “get” jokes? Can they laugh? Are laughter and intelligence even related? Learn about animal laughter in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recently launched spacecraft called the Solar Orbiter, or SolO, is en route to the sun to capture images from angles we've never achieved before. Learn how this will help us learn new things about our star in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food banks and pantries, community kitchens, and the like help feed millions -- but many more may need help during the novel coronavirus outbreak. Learn what these organizations are doing to keep up (and keep safe) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fruit flies are pests in our kitchens but glorious in genetics labs. Learn why -- and why they're not dangerous, even if they're annoying -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. is the only industrialized nation in the world where anyone with the funds, plan, and motivation can start their own bank. Learn how the process works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's hard to imagine other people's inner thoughts -- but we may be just as hard-pressed to explain our own. Learn how researchers have studied inner monologues and other modes of thought in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In America, many products -- including milk -- are sold in imperial ounces or gallons. But not so soda -- we often buy that in 1- or 2-liter bottles. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washing your hands is way more effective than hand sanitizer at getting rid of germs because soap is scientifically amazing stuff. Learn why -- and how to use both -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When infectious diseases have the potential to break out, keeping your distance from other people means you’re helping protect everyone -- and helps our medical system not get overwhelmed. Learn why -- and how to do it -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every virus is different, and research into the novel Coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is ongoing -- but learn about how long viruses can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.