Brainstuff

After the American Civil War, Southern governments created laws to keep freed Black people working without pay or legal recourse. Learn how the Black Codes shaped history in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-civil-war/black-codes.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This type of brown bear lives only on an Alaskan archipelago and has evolved to be one of the biggest bears in the world. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/kodiak-bear.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our poop is filled with useful information about us, including viruses like the one that causes COVID-19. Learn how researchers are using wastewater to warn communities about potential outbreaks in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/tracking-coronavirus-wastewater.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Figuring out what foods were on ancient menus can be tricky, but a mummy called Ötzi the Iceman was preserved with his last meal still intact. Learn what scientists found out about his eating habits in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/biology-fields/otzi-iceman-ate-high-fat-last-meal.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The gender roles of traditional stage magicians and 'lovely assistants' can seem outdated, but behind the scenes, the work has always been pretty equal. Learn how being a magician's assistant works in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/circus-arts/is-lovely-assistant-real-magician.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A particularly bright light in the sky, affectionately nicknamed a 'cosmic cow', seems to be a baby black hole or neutron star. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/cosmic-cow-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Photographer Ernest Withers took iconic photos that helped the Civil Rights movement -- and also informed on its inner workings to the FBI. Learn more about this mystery in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/ernest-withers-civil-rights-documentary-or-informant.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OK, water is scentless, but lots of non-human animals track down sources of it with their noses. Learn why humans aren't so good at that in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolution/humans-smell-fresh-water-evolution.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flamingos work hard to keep their feathers brightly colored, inside and out. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/flamingos-pink-plumage-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We think of DNA being a mostly internal thing, but researchers have collected a surprising amount of animal DNA from thin air. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/edna-suck-thin-air-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some gesticulations come naturally -- scratching your head when you're thinking is so common that it's basically a cliche. But why? Learn what researchers have to say in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/why-do-scratch-heads-when-were-thinking.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plastics clog our ecosystems and our roads need maintenance -- could fixing one problem help solve the other? Learn how researchers are recycling plastics into useful materials in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/recycled-plastic-waste-creates-roads.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2022 Winter Olympics are the first to use primarily artificial snow in outdoor games like skiing and snowboarding. Learn how athletes compensate for the difference in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/snow-sports/difference-between-fake-snow-real.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The set of emotions we call 'love' is both a psychological phenomenon and a societal construct. Learn more about how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/love/why-do-we-fall-in-love.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bass Reeves was one of the first Black deputy marshals in the Old West, and one of the most successful. Learn more about him in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/bass-reeves.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three of the most popular to-go breakfast foods in the U.S. don't necessarily serve as the best nutritional start to your day. Learn which may keep you going the longest in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/bagel-muffin-doughnut.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans lose muscle when we don't use it, but squirrels can gain muscle during winter hibernation -- thanks to their gut bacteria. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/squirrels-get-jacked-during-hibernation-news.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Birds and other animals can learn to "talk" to one another, and even work together to spread warnings about predators nearby. Learn how it works in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/can-bird-species-talk-with-each-other.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toothpaste actually predates the toothbrush in dental hygiene's history. Learn the long history behind this everyday item in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/products/history-toothpaste.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Madam C. J. Walker was a Black entrepreneur who built a beauty empire from scratch over a century ago, and her legacy of philanthropy and community support lives on. Learn about Madam Walker in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/madam-cj-walker.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.