Brainstuff
BrainStuff
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How do the Northern Lights work?
The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, occur ...
The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, occur when charged electrons from the sun interact with the Earth's magnetic field. Learn more about auroras and solar activity in this episode.
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Why should you wash new clothes before wearing them?
Some clothes have tags that say "wash before wearing" or ...
Some clothes have tags that say "wash before wearing" or "wash separately." Find out why it's sometimes a good idea to wash new clothes before you wear them in this episode.
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Why do most zippers say 'YKK' on the pull-tab?
Have you ever wondered why zippers often have the letters ...
Have you ever wondered why zippers often have the letters 'YKK' etched into them? Learn more about the Japanese company behind the tiny letters -- and the zippers -- in this episode.
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How do they get the lead in a wooden pencil?
Today's pencils are manufactured very differently than the original versions; ...
Today's pencils are manufactured very differently than the original versions; but they still use a material called graphite, which isn't lead at all. How does the graphite get in the pencil? Find out in this episode.
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How does your stomach keep from digesting itself?
The stomach is a hollow, many-layered organ that produces powerful ...
The stomach is a hollow, many-layered organ that produces powerful acids to break down food -- and another substance to protect the stomach from being digested. Find out what this substance is, and learn more about the stomach, in this episode.
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Why do newspapers turn yellow over time?
Newspapers turn yellow over time because they contain lignin, a ...
Newspapers turn yellow over time because they contain lignin, a substance in wood that oxidates when exposed to air and light. Learn more about lignin and paper processing in this episode of BrainStuff.
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How do self-setting clocks work?
Self-setting clocks and watches synchronize themselves with the atomic clock ...
Self-setting clocks and watches synchronize themselves with the atomic clock in Colorado with the help of a special radio station. Find out how -- and learn more about NIST's radio station -- in this episode.
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How many calories does a person need daily?
The amount of calories a person needs to consume on ...
The amount of calories a person needs to consume on a daily basis varies by individual. Discover the three factors that can help you determine your daily caloric needs in this episode of BrainStuff.
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What would happen if you fired a gun on a moving train?
If you fired a gun from a train moving at ...
If you fired a gun from a train moving at the speed of a bullet, what would happen? It depends on your frame of reference. Learn more about reference frames and physics in this episode of BrainStuff.
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What constitutes a person's IQ?
Your IQ, or intelligence quotient, is a reflection of how ...
Your IQ, or intelligence quotient, is a reflection of how well you perform on a specific test that measures cognitive abilities. Learn more about IQ tests in this episode.
