Brainstuff

Who were the first people to drink lemonade? How did it turn pink? Learn the folklore behind lemonade in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/what-is-history-lemonade.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As audio technology developed during the 1900s, people realized that they needed a clearer way to communicate terms than spelling them out in the normal alphabet. Learn how the NATO phonetic alphabet (Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, etc.) came to be in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/phonetic-alphabet.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The magic microbe that makes bread rise and beer alcoholic is yeast -- often, the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Learn how it works in this episode of BrianStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/yeast.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1921, Bessie Coleman became the first Black American woman to earn a pilot's license. Learn about her life and legacy in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/classic/bessie-coleman.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The idea that humans have a worse sense of smell than other animals is a pervasive myth. Learn the reality in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/nose-throat/human-sense-smell-good-as-dog.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conventional wisdom has long said fish oil pills are a great nutritional boost, but recent research shows they don't have the cardiovascular benefits we once thought. Learn who should still consider taking them in this episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Squid can communicate via patterns they flash on their skin, and the way they create those patterns is stranger than anyone thought. Learn what researchers are learning about it in this episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gas prices have been high recently in the U.S., but the national average has gone higher (once you account for inflation). Learn how gas pricing works in the U.S. and around the world in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-consumption/highest-gas-payment.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, Earth has a pulse: peaks of geologic activity that occur every 27.5 million years, and herald mass extinctions. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/earths-pulse.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1867, Russia sold the territory of Alaska to the United States -- a perhaps confusing move, given that Canada was right next door. Learn how it happened in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/why-didnt-russia-sell-alaska-to-canada.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It turns out that compounds in some raw fruits and vegetables mimic the compounds that cause seasonal allergies, and thus make you itchy when you eat them. Learn more about oral allergy syndrome in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/allergies/food-allergy/information/hay-fever-allergic-fruits.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1960s, Dolores Huerta worked alongside Cesar Chavez to create the United Farm Workers union and organize for farmworkers' rights across America. Learn more about her legacy and continuing work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/dolores-huerta.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your car's empty-tank light can sneak up on you, and it's easy to put off filling up for another day. But are you damaging your car when you do? Learn why it's not good to run your car on empty in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-economy/is-it-bad-to-drive-car-with-nearly-empty-gas-tank.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Implicit biases change the way we act without us even realizing it, and doctors aren't immune. Learn how we can identify and change our unconscious biases in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/healthcare/doctors-biases-health-care.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plutonium may be as misunderstood as it is useful -- and potentially dangerous. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/plutonium.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States produces a lot of oil, but we also import (and use) a lot. Learn why oil independence isn't on the horizon yet in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/cut-dependence-foreign-oil.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The apples you find in your chain grocery store may have been picked a year ago -- but that's OK. Learn about apple storage technology in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/grocery-store-apple-one-year-old.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When FDA employee Frances Kelsey called for caution regarding the drug thalidomide in the 1960s, she wound up saving babies and changing FDA guidelines as we know them. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/frances-kelsey-thalidomide.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Google Glass to Crystal Pepsi, the Museum of Failure celebrates the spirit of innovation behind flops and failures. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/destinations/landmarks/museums-tours/museum-failure.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Intelligence is tricky to define, but research has shown that wolves understand cause and effect where dogs don't. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/wolves-are-smarter-than-dogs.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.