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Ethiopia's Church Forests Are Last Oases of Green
It's traditional for forests to surround churches in Ethiopia, and now they're providing the last tree canopies in a country that's been heavily deforested. But will they survive?
Are Frogs on the Brink of Extinction?
Frogs are like the canary in the coal mine for the state of the environment. And the bad news is they are not doing well.
SYSK Selects: Was Atlantis A Real Place?
While the search for Atlantis has been pushed to the fringes since the 19th century, archaeologists have quietly pursued cities that may have inspired Plato to fabricate the mythical city. It looks…
From the Vault: Don't Drink the Salt Water
Whether you draw your wisdom from 18th century poems or experience in the surf, you probably know that drinking seawater is a terrible idea. But exactly why shouldn’t you drink saltwater? What happens…
SYMHC Classics: Caroline Herschel, Astronomy's Cinderella
Today we revisit a 2014 episode about Caroline Herschel, who managed to break the barrier of women in scientific fields far earlier than you might suspect, in part because of her association with her…
Do men really schedule their vasectomies during March Madness?
Some combos make sense to us. There's Homer and Marge. Bagels and cream cheese. Vasectomies and March Madness. Wait, what?
One Family Has Sent Flowers to NASA for More Than 30 Years
The Shelton family from Texas sent their first bouquet in 1998 after the Challenger disaster. And they haven't stopped since.
The death of Panama Papers journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
The Panama Papers are a collection of over 11 million leaked documents exposing shady financial dealings from more than 200,000 offshore entities, some dating as far back as the 1970s. When Maltese…
Regrets, We’ve Had a Few — But Why?
Ever had a "woulda, shoulda, coulda" feeling about something? It's called regret. What really triggers this emotion — and can we trust it?
Why Is Our Galaxy Warped?
Our galaxy isn't a flat disk -- it's warped like melted vinyl record. Learn how researchers discovered this and why they think it happened in today's episode of BrainStuff.
Nearly Half of All Americans Have a Family Member Who's Been Jailed
A new groundbreaking study shows how widespread incarceration in the U.S. really is.
Let's Make a List
Why are humans so fascinated by lists? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick explore the reason we can’t pass a top 10 clickbait headline and are forever haunted by…
Will the real Shakespeare please stand up?
Playwright William Shakespeare is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential writers in the English language, and his plays have been read or performed millions of times around the world. He…
What's the History (and Future) of Toilets?
The 'modern' toilet was invented in the 1700s. So what was it like in the past, and how could we improve on it in the future? Learn more about waste technologies in this episode of BrainStuff.
Are We Living in a New Epoch?
Some geologists say that humans have had a big enough impact on the Earth that we should declare a new epoch -- the Anthropocene. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff.
The Tunnelers
How deep into the Earth have humans traveled? How far have we drilled? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick explore some interesting lows from the history of mining, geologic exploration and good old fashioned subterranean living.
Does Alcohol Freeze?
If you've ever had a half-frozen beer explode on you, you know that yes, alcohol freezes — but not all types freeze at the same rate. We'll let you in on the secrets to frozen alcoholic delights.
Knowing a Tornado's Strength Could Save More Lives Than Knowing Its Exact…
Researchers studying tornadoes use a common theory of economics to determine casualty rates.
How Are Airlines Cracking Down on Emotional Support Animals?
Emotional support animals are a real and useful therapy tool, but not all of them are trained to deal with the crowds and stresses of air travel. Learn what airlines can and can't do to prevent accidents in this episode of BrainStuff.
What Does ‘Medicare for All’ Really Mean?
It's one of those phrases bandied about by a variety of politicians. But what would it mean if the U.S. embraced this health care proposal?
Raphael Lemkin and the Genocide Convention
Dr. Raphael Lemkin is often described as the person who coined the term “genocide.” And he did do that – but was also the driving force behind the existence of the U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Harriet Tubman
While Harriet Tubman's work with the Underground Railroad is well-known, this was just one part of her legacy. This two-part podcast from Stuff You Missed in History Class fills in the gaps, along…
Can the Fear of Public Speaking Be Conquered?
As many as 7 in every 10 Americans have a fear of public speaking. Learn how this type of social anxiety develops -- and what you can do to fight it -- in this episode of BrainStuff.