Life Science

You might think flavor is what happens on your tongue – and it is. But it’s also so much more. Flavor is influenced by all the senses. How food looks, smells and feels can make a difference. Even the sounds you hear while eating can impact how you perceive taste.

What was the very first lifeform like? What was the first fish or mammal? Is it even possible to know?

In this special episode, we've asked two rock star ornithologists to answer a flock of listener questions about birds. J. Drew Lanham and Corina Newsome talk flying, feathers, eggs, poop and how we humans can help birds. Plus: we test their ears with the Mystery Sound and their obscure bird knowledge with a game called Real Birds or Just Words.

What happens in your brain when you read? What goes into the writing of the words? And what about the making of the books themselves, the physical objects?

From haunted houses and roller coasters to bungee jumping and horror movies - what is it that makes us like being scared?

Wool is warm, absorbs water and odors, plus it’s flame resistant. In short, wool is amazing! In this episode we explore how wool is different from hair. We go on a sheep safari at Cuyama Lamb in California, meet expert wool weaver Zefren Anderson and catch up with our favorite wooly hero Alpaca Jack.

Most of us think we’re good at detecting lies, but it turns out humans only get it right about half the time. And why do we do it anyway? What makes us want to deceive other people? In this episode we get to the truth about lying.

In this episode we do a deep dive on dyslexia. We'll look at how our brains have cobbled together the ability to read by re-purposing parts of the brain that evolved for other functions. And we’ll learn what scientists think might be going on in the brains of people with dyslexia when they learn to read. We also talk to Ann Bancroft, a Polar explorer and educator who also has dyslexia, about why getting lost can be fun.

How can two black Labradors have a yellow puppy? This episode solves the yellow lab mystery and takes a trip into the fascinating world of genes, chromosomes and DNA.

Human-made plastics are super useful, but the fact that they last forever means we find ourselves with a plastic problem.

We have a lot to learn from ants. This episode digs into the hierarchy of ant colonies (spoiler alert: there is none) and why they walk in a straight line (spoiler alert: they don’t).

Producer Marc Sanchez shows us the wonders hidden underground at this national park in South Dakota and how tricky it can be to explore uncharted territory with only a headlamp to light the way.

This is the third of our four-part series on feelings. Today we're learning why we all get angry and what to do with that emotion. We'll get in touch with our inner Super You Person and learn what physical reactions anger can trigger in our bodies. We'll also hear how our listeners describe their anger and talk to NPR reporter Michaeleen Doucleff about the different kinds of flavors of anger that people describe around the world. Plus: Mallika Chopra shares another meditation to try when you're feeling mad. For more on meditation and mindfulness, you can check out Mallika Chopra’s book for kids, Just Breathe.

Where do feelings come from? And why do we have them? In this four-part series, we're digging deep into our emotions. In this second episode, we examine sadness.

Where do feelings come from? And why do we have them? In this four-part series, we're digging deep into our emotions. In this first episode, we're getting happy!

You may have noticed some strong smells coming from your feet, your friend's breath, or your brother's armpit. Where do these body odors come from? We'll meet the microscopic organisms responsible and visit the kingdom of Footsteros. We'll also find out why we might find these naturally occurring smells so disgusting. Plus: A brand new Moment of Um answers the question: Why do stink bugs stink?

The hair on our heads is on our minds. We have fun with follicles and learn about how they make hair. Our experts help us decipher what makes hair black or brown, blonde or red, and even why it turns gray. From eye lashes to ear and nose hair, this episode has it all. Why do humans have hair and not fur? Why is there hair on the top of our heads? How does hair grow? How does hair become curly or straight? Plus: A brand new Moment of Um answers the question: "Why does my dad get fuzz in his belly button?" This episode is sponsored by Philo (philo.tv/brains), New Cloud Control Cat Litter by Arm & Hammer, Bona Premium Spray Mop (bona.com/brainson) and Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls the Podcast (rebelgirls.co/podcast). You can support Brains On at brainson.org/donate

Most plants get the energy and nutrients they need from water, sunlight, air and soil. But carnivorous plants get key nutrients from a different source: bugs. We’ll find out how they do it and talk about the mystery of how venus fly traps snap shut. Plus: Two gardeners – one very experienced and one just starting out – offer their tips for growing venus fly traps.

So that’s plants, but what about animals? Carnivores are animals that only eat other animals – so how do they get the vitamins, minerals and fiber that we humans get from eating plants? We take a trip to a salad bar with some animal pals to find out. This episode is sponsored by: Bona premium spray mop (bona.com/brainson), The Kevin Henkes book, ""Sweeping up the Heart,” Panama City Beach, (visitpanamacitybeach.com), Madison Reed hair color (madison-reed.com) - use promo code brainson at checkout for 10% off. You can support the show at brainson.org/donate