HowStuffWorks_Science

How do you feel about that money-sucking slot machine? As new research indicates, the human tendency to imbue the three-armed bandit with human thought only gives it more insidious power over the gambler.

Jonathan defines what white noise actually is and how it's used to mask other annoying sounds.

We've all heard about the supposed relationship between confidence and knowledge - but is it true? Two researchers think they've found the answer.

While some claim walking on hot coals is mind over matter, there's actually a science to not burning yourself, involving conductivity and insulation.

They’re just horses with stripes, right? So why don’t we ride them around like Seabiscuit or Black Beauty?

Most wine bottles are green. Is it because they're pretty? Or do they protect the booze juice inside somehow?

The Brontosaurus technically hasn't existed in the living/breathing sense of the word for 150 million years. But did it ever exist? Was this iconic dinosaur the result of misclassification?

The end of the rainbow may be the best place to raid a leprechaun stash, but it proves a strangely difficult destination to reach. Brainstuff explains why you can’t get there, and why there really isn’t even a a “there” there.

In the movies, scientists use “carbon dating” to determine the age of ancient artifacts and dinosaur bones. But what is the real science behind carbon dating, and how does it work?

From eldritch aspen colonies to immortal jellyfish, the world is lousy with long-lived organisms. But what’s the oldest?

Forget the normal 15 minutes of fame – the real ticket to immortalizing your legacy is to get your face on currency. But how does it work? Join Cristen to learn more.

Don’t know what the dwarf planet Ceres is, and at this point you’re too afraid to ask? Brainstuff will give you the deets on this otherworldly object.

You probably remember your 18th birthday, but not your first – or your zeroth. Why is that?

We see color thanks to complex coordination of signals from the eyes to the brain. Here's what happens when the signal gets scrambled.

It’s true – some people hear colors, or taste words. But what produces synesthesia?

Josephine Cochrane didn't exactly enjoy washing dishes -- then again, who does? Luckily, Mrs. Cochrane happened to enjoy design and a flair for invention. Learn more about her Stuff of Genius in this episode.

Before the invention of the modern copier, companies across the world depended on time-consuming -- and, often, incorrect -- duplication methods. Learn how Carlson's Stuff of Genius made Xerox a household name in this video.

Dallas secretary Bette Nesmith Graham hated typos, because erasing an error left smears and smudges. Luckily, she decided to tackle the problem with paint rather than erasers. Learn about her Stuff of Genius in this episode.

What's the science behind food comas? Why are they associated with Thanksgiving?

Common wisdom says that eating lots of carrots will power up your vision to Hawkeye levels. But is there any truth to this vegetable factoid?

When you're popping a cork and preparing to celebrate, you've got to have some flutes nearby -- or do you? Join Josh as he examines whether the shape of your champagne glass matters (and which one is best).

These insects live in your bedroom, drink your blood and stain your sheets. How do you get rid of them?

What do fireflies, TVs, neon signs, and glowsticks have in common?

There's a lot of natural variation in the color of human hair. What's the physical explanation for the difference?

We may not have mutant powers like the X-Men, but natural selection is still changing humanity… for the better.