Today

Do Lemmings Really Jump Off Cliffs?

Lemmings are small, fierce rodents that make their home in Arctic environments -- and (spoiler alert) the idea that they kill themselves by following each other off cliffs is a myth. Learn what Disney had to do with it (and what lemmings are really like) in today's episode of Bra ... Show More

13m 23s

Sep 16

What Would Happen If You Drank Saltwater?

Our bodies need salt and our bodies need water, so why is drinking saltwater not good for you? Learn what salt does in our bodies and why seawater will actually dehydrate you in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myt ... Show More

12m 13s

Sep 14

How Is Tungsten So Hard and Heat-Resistant?

Tungsten's boiling point is over 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and as tungsten carbide, it's one of the hardest materials we know. Learn how it's used for everything from armor-piercing bullets to electron microscopes to ballpoint pens in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this ... Show More

9m 20s

Jan 2025

Ep 161 Allergies Part 1: Pollens, nuts, & bugs

Sometimes it seems like the world is out to get us: bees in our garden, pollen in the air, nuts in our brownies, any number of other things that could trigger an allergic reaction ranging from itchy eyes and a runny nose all the way to anaphylaxis. Why must our bodies react in ... Show More

1h 24m

Jun 2022

Do I really have a food allergy?

These days it can feel like anyone can be allergic to anything– with sensitivities ranging from common allergies to certain foods and animals to more unusual things, like semen or the chemicals used to treat leather. But is that true–ARE we becoming more allergic to things? What ... Show More

29m 51s

Nov 2022

The Riddle of Red-Eyes and Runny-Noses

Sneezes, wheezes, runny noses and red eyes - this episode is all about allergies.An allergic reaction is when your immune system reacts to something harmless – like peanuts or pollen – as if it was a parasitic invader. It’s a case of biological mistaken identity.Professor Judith ... Show More

28m 50s

Nov 2018

What is an allergy?

An introduction to the world of allergies and other related diseases often misdiagnosed as allergies with Professors Mimi Tang and Katie Allen from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. For more episodes download the free LiSTNR appSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf ... Show More

9m 42s

Oct 2022

Why is everyone getting food allergies?

In the past few decades, the rate of food allergies in both children and adults has dramatically increased. What’s causing this rise, and what can we do about it? For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topi ... Show More

25m 33s

Aug 2020

155: Oral Allergies + Cross Reactivity: How It Can Trigger Itchiness + Hives w/ Rakhi Roy, MS, RD, LDN

Have you ever hard of oral allergy syndrome? No? Well, you're not alone. My guest today will share some surprising facts about oral allergy syndrome, as well as cross-reactivity within allergies. My guest today, Rakhi Roy Chowdhury, holds a Master’s in Dietetics &a ... Show More

38m 13s

May 2017

SYSK Selects: Gesundheit! How Allergies Work

In this week's SYSK Select episode, about 30-40 percent of humans suffer from some sort of allergy. The big joke, though, is that every sufferer is the victim of mistaken identity. Allergies are the result of a hypersensitive immune system mistaking a harmless protein for a fo ... Show More

26m 15s

Oct 2023

The Evidence: Is the world becoming more allergic?

What are allergies and what is the purpose of them? What can we do to try and prevent them? And what are the best ways of accurately and safely diagnosing them?

49m 27s

How Can Hay Fever Cause Food Allergies?