HowStuffWorks_Science

Nowadays it seems that every doctor has a stethoscope. But who invented this nifty device, and how? Tune in to learn more.

Psychopaths display a notorious absence of compassion, but one study suggests they still have the ability to feel for others - when they choose to. Learn about psychopathic compassion in this video.

Momofuku Ando didn't set out to create noodle bowls, but the former textile company owner had an epiphany while watching a line of hungry people waiting for food. Tune in to learn what led him from garments to instant noodles in this podcast.

What are we to make of this strange, mythic creature with vipers for hair and a petrifying gaze? Join Dr. Anton Jessup once more in the University basement for a discussion on this unnatural monster’s connections to natural-world biology.

Men don’t usually lactate – but they can! Cristen explores how breast tissue develops in human embryos of both sexes, and explains why mice are more advanced, evolution-wise.

Don't let Hollywood fool you -- quicksand is not an automatic death sentence. In fact, escaping it is easier than you might think.

Talking dogs are cute and all, but what if you could actually translate your dog's thoughts into English? A Scandinavian research lab claims they've invented the answer.

Originally born in Germany, Philip Diehl immigrated to the US in 1868. Although he has several fascinating inventions to his name, the ceiling fan remains his most well-known innovation. Tune in to learn more.

The James Webb Space Telescope is a marvel of engineering and science, and when completed, will enable us to see the first stars and galaxies. Find out about the planning and science that go into building a telescope that can see through time.

DARPA has a request for proposal out asking companies to submit ideas for a vanishing drone. How would that work?

One third of our lives is spent asleep. But what if we could put half of our brain to sleep at a time? This is precisely what happens to some underwater mammals and science fiction space captains. Learn more in this video from Stuff to Blow Your Mind

According to his piano teacher, Les Paul had no musical talent. Yet Les Paul overcame this inauspicious beginning to become a legendary songwriter -- even inventing the modern electric guitar on the way. Tune in and learn more.

The Panama Papers are a massive leak of internal documents from a Panama-based law firm, Mossack Fonseca, that reveal an intricate web of offshore tax-dodging outfits across the planet.

Before 1830, trimming a lawn was time-consuming and difficult. At least, that is, until a fabric-shaving machine inspired Edward Budding to invent the lawnmower -- and save future landscapers from countless hours of hacking at the ground with scythes.

Ole Evinrude grew up loving machines, but he may never have stumbled across the Stuff of Genius if he hadn't had a grueling quest for ice cream. Tune in to learn more about outboard motors.

For some people, winter means a daily battle against cracking, scaling or peeling lips. But what actually causes chapped lips? How can you prevent it?

Agoraphobia is a complicated and difficult psychological condition that is easily misunderstood. Learn about life with agoraphobia in this episode of Brainstuff.

Since the dawn of recorded history humankind has tried to classify and study the stars. It’s a continuing mission, and astronomers are finding new stars all the time. But how do they get their names?

NASA gets all the funding it asked for and more. What's next for the space agency?

It’s almost impossible to trick your brain so you can tickle yourself. Unless you're schizophrenic…

Born in 1858, Rudolf Diesel was fascinated by engines from a young age. However, the engines of the time were incredibly inefficient -- at least, that is, until Rudolf's Stuff of Genius struck. Tune in and learn more in this podcast.

Louie Reard wasn't the typical automobile engineer, and his Stuff of Genius has nothing to do with cars. Tune in and learn how an otherwise mild-mannered inventor created one of history's most iconic -- and controversial -- pieces of swimwear.

Memory is flawed. In fact, there are seven key ways our brains screw up when forming new memories. Learn what they are in this video from Stuff to Blow Your Mind.

Math-based puzzles have been around for centuries, but how did modern Sudoku get its start? Tune in to learn more about Sudoku in this episode.

Josh explains Frank Drake's famous formula for determining whether intelligent alien life exists.