logo
episode-header-image
May 2021
4m 18s

BrainStuff Classics: What Makes Durian F...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Durian fruit is prized as a delicacy and staple -- and it smells like rotting. Learn how researchers mapped its genome to get to the bottom of this stench (and hopefully find something medicinally useful) in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/durian-smell-origin-genome.htm

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Sep 27
What's the Difference Between Socialism and Communism?
Socialism and communism are often mentioned in the same breath, and they do share a common history, but socialists aren't necessarily communists -- and vice versa. Learn more about both concepts and how they've been put into practice in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this a ... Show More
11m 9s
Sep 26
How Do Vaccines Prevent Diseases?
Our bodies can often prevent us from catching the same illness twice, and vaccines use that bodily system to prevent us from getting sick in the first place. Learn how the immune response works, what goes into vaccines, and why vaccines are safe for kids in this episode of BrainS ... Show More
13m 39s
Sep 13
BrainStuff Classics: How Did Sealab Work?
In the 1960s, advances in technology allowed brave aquanauts to explore deeper into the ocean than ever before, but the project was shut down. Learn how Sealab worked -- and how that technology is still used today -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listen ... Show More
6m 15s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2021
Future GMO Foods, The Thought Gap, How Your Brain Knows You’re Uncomfortable
Learn about why researchers are developing new GMO foods like golden rice; why you underestimate how often others are thinking about you; and how your brain knows when you’re uncomfortable and you need to change your position.FDA's Feed Your Mind website: https://www.fda.gov/food ... Show More
12m 53s
Mar 2020
Boost Self-Control by Asking for Support, Gene-Stealing Organisms, and How Lipreading Works in the Brain
Learn about a research-backed way to achieve better self control by asking for help from others; how Ambystoma salamanders “steal” DNA from other species via kleptogenesis; and how your brain can process visual information as sound.For better self control, ask for support from ot ... Show More
10m 22s
Apr 2022
Why does rain smell?
#029 RebroadcastWhat's that smell? This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of smell. Now a lot of smell science has to do with our physiology and neurology. We'll talk some about that, but the chemistry has to do with the actual smells in the air. What are they? How do t ... Show More
35m 52s
Nov 2021
Why bitter foods are better for you
Many of us describe ourselves as having a sweet tooth. But science is now unlocking the secrets of why having a well-developed taste and tolerance to bitter foods could have a wealth of health benefits. But even with their many health benefits, the bitterness of foods such as bro ... Show More
6m 47s
Apr 2012
Body Odor: You Stink
Chuck and Josh end up making reduxes of past episodes on things like sweating and deodorant in this all-new episode on the science beneath what makes people smell. Learn all about your odor in this episode of Stuff You Should Know. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www. ... Show More
45m 24s
Sep 2022
Sniffing Out the Cause of Smell Loss
Imagine if your morning cup of coffee one day smelled like rotting garbage. Or, if your favorite comfort food had no taste at all. For some COVID long haulers, this is their new reality. What causes these distortions in smell and taste in the first place? And, what treatment opti ... Show More
34m 7s
Dec 2020
Do People Think More in Words or Pictures?
Learn about whether people think in words or in pictures; why brussels sprouts really are tastier than they used to be; and why buying luxury items might make you feel like an impostor.Whether People Think in Words or Pictures by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Alicia)(2020) ... Show More
13m 10s
Feb 2020
Why Brussels Sprouts Taste Better Now, Luxury Buying Makes People Feel Fake, and Whether People Think in Words or Pictures
Learn about whether people think in words or in pictures; why brussels sprouts really are tastier than they used to be; and why buying luxury items might make you feel like an impostor.Whether People Think in Words or Pictures by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Alicia)(2020) ... Show More
14m 16s