Yesterday

How Do Alligator Snapping Turtles Work?

This positively prehistoric-looking freshwater turtle is the largest in North America -- and it catches fish by wiggling a worm-like lure. Learn more about alligator snappers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/alligato ... Show More

7m 25s

Aug 5

Did Victorians Really Have a Language of Flowers?

In floriography, flowers and other plants are associated with meanings or sentiments (like physical emoji) -- but could you really send a message with a bouquet? Learn about the fad of floriography in Victorian England in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https:/ ... Show More

10m 48s

Jul 29

How Did the Cowboy Gallop into American History?

Cowboy culture didn't start in the Wild West. Learn about the Spanish, Indigenous, and Black history of cowboys in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/cowboys.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 m

May 15

You’ve Got Pee-Mail, Part 1

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the amazing social power of urine, especially as it relates to urine-based communication in the animal world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

49m 32s

Jul 2015

Body Teaser - Collecting Our Data About Our Bodies

In this episode Benny and Mal think about why we might not like others to have information about our bodies. We are told to keep personal information private – but what if that information could be used to help develop medicines and treatments? Does it matter who is using it?Join ... Show More

3m 52s

Jul 2

3D-printed fake wasps help explain bad animal mimicry

In this episode:00:45 Why animals evolve to be imperfect mimicsMany harmless animals mimic dangerous ones to avoid being eaten, but often this fakery is inaccurate. To help explain why evolution sometimes favours imperfect mimicry, a team 3D printed a range of imaginary insects. ... Show More

27m 19s

Oct 2024

Selects: Porcupines: Little Stabby Cutie Pies

We love animals. A lot. Especially underrated ones like the darling porcupine. Listen in to this classic episode to learn all about these stabby little boogers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

40m 12s

Feb 2025

How GPS Works

In a tribute to the late founder of HowStuffWorks Marshall Brain, we chose one of his great articles. Learn all about how your phone knows how to get you around without bumping into stuff or running people over in this episode. Thank you, Marshall.See omnystudio.com/listener for ... Show More

48m 21s

Jul 2023

Focus - When We're Unconscious

What does it mean to be in a coma? How can we tell if someone on life support is actually conscious? And how can scientists use synchronised heart rhythms to predict which comatose patients are likely to wake up? In this focus episode of How We’re Wired, join producer Dr Eva Higg ... Show More

23m 50s

Jul 2020

Chairman of the Bored

Some things aren't as real as they seem, and others...well, we sort of wish they weren't real at all. We'll explain all during today's tour. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9m 21s

Sep 2024

FROM THE VAULT: ShortHand: How a NASA Experiment Ended in Dolphin Sex

ShortHand is available exclusively for Amazon Music and Wondery+ subscribers.Rumours about NASA scientists trying to teach dolphins to talk and getting frisky in the process have long been internet lore. But what really happened when Margaret Howe took on the task of training a s ... Show More

32m 50s

Jun 2019

How Porcupines Mate, the Bizarre Sex Habits of Giraffes (and Much, Much More)

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start by looking at whether or not male humans can get pregnant and carry a baby to full term naturally. (Spoiler- yes and yes. And even breastfeed too! It doesn’t even require fancy science or advanced medical techniques.) Moving on to ... Show More

47m 32s

Jun 2022

Focus – Learning Language

How do we learn to talk? When do babies first understand language? And how do scientists study language learning in the lab? In this Focus episode of How We’re Wired, join producer Dr Eva Higginbotham as she visits the Oxford Brookes Babylab to understand how babies make sense of ... Show More

19m 55s

Why Are Truffles So Expensive?