Brainstuff

Neanderthals were more like us than we previously thought, but could they laugh? Learn why researchers think they could in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolution/yes-neanderthals-could-laugh.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fat provides a lot of flavor and texture in foods, so making something fat-free usually means reformulating it from the ground up. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/how-do-they-get-fat-out-of-fat-free-foods.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The kilogram used to be measured against an agreed-upon chunk of metal stored in France, but no longer. Learn the new measure of this standard unit of measurement in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/math-concepts/kilogram-is-dead-meet-kilogram-20.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Newton Boys were a gang of brothers who made a business of robbing banks and trains in the 1920s. Learn how they largely got away with it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/newton-boys-bank-robbers.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 These giant trees grow trunk-like roots down from their branches and can cover the area of city blocks. Learn more about banyan trees in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/understanding-roots-banyan-tree.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Male seahorses are the ones that carry babies to term and give birth, but the process is fairly different from most pregnancies. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/male-seahorses-give-birth.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When crime and other legal tangles occur on a cruise ship, what laws apply depend on where the ship is registered and where it was located at the time. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/cruise-ship-law.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marzipan is a sweet, moldable almond paste that gets worked into all kinds of holiday traditions. Learn about it (and about Glücksschwein, the good luck pig of the New Year) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article and podcast: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/marzipan.htm; https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-savor-28019899/episode/the-marzipan-episode-is-shaping-up-90864626/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.