Brainstuff

Once every 20 years, Saturn and Jupiter appear very close together in the sky from Earth's point of view, but this year they're closer than they've been in 800 years. Learn more about this astonomical event in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Manischewitz Company produces all kinds of kosher foods, but is most famous for its sweet, inexpensive wines. Learn how the company got started in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Galileo Galilei is famous today for defying the Catholic Church in the 1600s with his (correct) astronomical hypotheses. Learn more about his work and how he became famous in his own time in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The larynx contains the voice box or vocal cords, and it's one of the organs that helps humans speak. Learn more about it in this episode of BrainStuff Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've ever seen crystals at the bottom of a wine bottle, glass, or cork, don't worry -- they're considered a sign of quality. Learn what so-called wine diamonds are and how they form in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A widescale genetic survey has shown that despite common misconceptions, race really is only skin deep. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A huge cache of ancient pterosaur eggs has been unearthed in China. Learn what this find can tell us about these flying contemporaries of dinosaurs in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After World War II, what came to be known as the Truman Doctrine pulled the U.S. out of its previously isolationist stance and into global relationships that endure today. Learn more about it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The venom of black widow spiders can indeed be deadly, but they almost always avoid attacking -- and they don't often eat each other, either. Learn more about these arachnids in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This simple spinning device helps keep object at hand on tabletops and in tight cabinets -- but why is it called a lazy susan? Learn a few of the hypotheses in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigrants to the United States tend to have better physical and mental health outcomes than people who were born here. Learn about assimilation, acculturation, and collectivism in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This cheese-and-sweet-pepper spread is a Southern staple, but it was actually developed in New York. Learn about the history and popularity of pimento cheese in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers have found Antarctic microbes that appear to get all the nutrients they need from thin air. Could this change our search for extraterrestrial life? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study indicates that some teens bully themselves online, posting hateful messages from fake or anonymous accounts. Researchers are looking into why, and how to help. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Obviously, vaccines for the coronavirus that's causing this pandemic would help life get back to normal -- but their development is also set to improve the way we make all vaccines. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kangaroos put an enormous amount of power into every hop -- and conserve energy in the process. Learn how they do it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McDonald's McRib sandwich has a cult following -- but what's it actually made of? Learn about the history and composition of the McRib in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you get the days of the week mixed up, you're not alone. Learn about the psychology of Tuesday in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Potting soil often contains perlite, which is a type of volcanic rock that helps keep soil light and airy. Learn how it works in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outrunning a volcanic eruption, like many things that look easy in movies or sound simple in theory, is more complicated in reality. Learn why you shouldn't attempt this feat in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.