Brainstuff
BrainStuff
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How are movies stored on DVD discs?
How can you store an entire movie on one little ...
How can you store an entire movie on one little DVD disc? It's all about compression! In this episode, Marshall explains the technical details and standards of video compression.
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What is a Nor'easter?
Nor'easters are storm systems that frequently occur in the eastern ...
Nor'easters are storm systems that frequently occur in the eastern United States during winter. In this episode, Marshall explains where Nor'easters get their name, how they work and why some Nor'easters are more powerful than others.
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Are all blood types needed for donation?
In this episode, Marshall explains how proteins determine your blood ...
In this episode, Marshall explains how proteins determine your blood type -- and why blood types must match for blood transfusions to be successful.
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Why don't they use normal air in race car tires?
Race car tires are often filled with nitrogen because nitrogen ...
Race car tires are often filled with nitrogen because nitrogen pressure is more consistent than air pressure. In this episode, Marshall explains why nitrogen is better for race cars -- but not for regular vehicles.
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How can a car get 100 MPG?
Created in the 1980s, the Avion is a car that ...
Created in the 1980s, the Avion is a car that can get more than 100 miles per gallon. In this episode, Marshall Brain talks about the factors that make the Avion so efficient -- and how the same techniques could be applied to production vehicles.
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Why do cats have whiskers?
Cat whiskers, also known as "tactile hairs," are very different ...
Cat whiskers, also known as "tactile hairs," are very different from a cat's regular body hair. In this episode, Marshall explains how these hairs are unique and what cats use them for.
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How do retractable roofs in convertible stadiums work?
Retractable roofs are the latest trend in sports stadium design. ...
Retractable roofs are the latest trend in sports stadium design. Marshall highlights multiple examples of convertible stadiums in the United States and explains how they work in this episode.
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How does large-scale power storage work?
Wind farms and solar power plants are promising sources of ...
Wind farms and solar power plants are promising sources of renewable energy, but they're not as reliable as conventional power sources. In this episode, Marshall explains how large-scale storage technologies could make solar and wind power more viable.
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What is Low-E glass?
Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass is a special, expensive type that blocks ...
Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass is a special, expensive type that blocks out ultraviolet and infrared light. This coated glass can help protect your furniture and improve the energy efficiency of your home, as Marshall Brain explains in this episode.
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How do big city shell and three-card monte games work?
Shell games and three-card monte games are common sights in ...
Shell games and three-card monte games are common sights in big cities, but did you know they're scams? Marshall explains the similar principles and tricks behind these "games" -- and why you can't win them -- in this episode.
