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Ask Us Anything by Popular Science

Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions—from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Join our editors as they explain it all, with new episodes every other Wednesday.Submit a question for a future episode at https://popsci.com/ask

  1. 58

    Why are most people right handed?

    We're talking hands, and that's no jive, as PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ gesture wildly through a conversation about why roughly 90% of humans have right-hand dominance. Also a special conversation with archaeologist Dr. Anna Goldfield about right and left-handedness in humanity's ancient ancestors. Read the Popular Science story that inspired the episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/why-are-most-people-right-handed/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 57

    What makes childhood summers last forever?

    It's summer and the days are just packed, as PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ dig deep through their memories to figure out why summers stretched seemingly forever as kids, but go by in a flash as adults. Read the Popular Science story that inspired the episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/why-childhood-summers-felt-longer/ Learn all about cognitive offloading, the good and the bad: https://www.popsci.com/health/how-documenting-everything-changes-your-brain-cognitive-offloading/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. 56

    Is real-life storm chasing like the movies?

    You've seen Twister AND Twisters, now let PopSci Editors ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Laura Baisas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ clue you into what storm chasing is life in the real world, through an eye-opening conversation with meteorologist, storm chaser and author Cyrena Arnold, who's also host of the Storm Front Freaks Podcast. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/real-storm-chasers-tornadoes/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. 55

    How do airplane toilets work?

    There's more than a little bathroom talk in this episode, as PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and News Editor Laura Baisas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ laugh and learn all the ins, outs, and ugly secrets of airplane toilets. Read the Popular Science story that inspired the episode: ⁠https://www.popsci.com/science/how-do-airplane-toilets-work/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. 54

    How come some birds talk like people?

    So many shouting and singing birds in this episode, as PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ flap their way to an explanation for why birds learn to mimic human speech. Read the Popular Science story that inspired the episode: ⁠https://www.popsci.com/environment/why-birds-talk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about how parrots use names to talk to each other: ⁠https://www.popsci.com/environment/parrots-using-names/⁠ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. 53

    Why can't we remember being babies?

    Plumbing the depths of their childhood memories, PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ explain why almost no humans remember infancy or early childhood. Read the Popular Science story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/why-dont-i-remember-being-a-baby-study/⁠⁠ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. 52

    How come only modern humans need braces?

    Chomping right through the history of orthodontics and human bone development, PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ investigate why human ancestors never needed braces, but so many modern humans do. Read the Popular Science story that inspired this episode: ⁠https://www.popsci.com/science/why-need-braces/⁠ And make sure you check out our guests Erin & Erin on their show This Podcast Will Kill You: ⁠https://thispodcastwillkillyou.com⁠ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. 51

    Did any dinosaurs actually spit venom?

    Digging deep into the fossil record, PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ investigate whether there really were venomous dinosaurs, like the Dilophosaurus depicted in the first Jurassic Park movie. Read the Popular Science story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/venomous-dinosaurs/ And make sure you check out the I Know Dino podcast, co-hosted by our special guest Garret Kruger: https://iknowdino.com/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  9. 50

    What's the most eco-friendly burial option?

    After a lifetime of trying to put things in the right bin, we all eventually arrive at the ultimate recycling dilemma: what to do with our bodies after we die? PopSci Editors ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠Laura Baisas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ go on exploration to find out what is the most environmentally friendly option for handling human remains? Despite all the new technology, experts say there’s one clear answer, and it’s surprisingly old-school. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/technology/cremation-burial-most-eco-friendly/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  10. 49

    Why do (most) cats hate water?

    From ancient deserts to kittenhood lessons, PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (PLUS SPECIAL FELINE GUESTS) dive into why most cats are so averse to water. Read Sarah's story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/why-cats-hate-water/ And make sure you read all about Simon the cat, heroic member of the British Navy: https://www.popsci.com/environment/navy-cat-simon/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  11. 48

    Surviving freezing temperatures: How low can humans go?

    Humans are homeotherms, meaning that our core body temperature stays roughly constant, but what happens when conditions drive that body temp down? PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ bundle up to get to the bottom of just how cold humans can get and still survive. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/coldest-temperature-humans-can-survive/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  12. 47

    Decoding wintery precipitation: What causes snow, sleet and freezing rain?

    Are you as tired as we are of winter weather? Well, at least it helps to know how it works! PopSci Editors ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Laura Baisas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ go on a wintry expedition through all our least favorite types of precipitation. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/environment/chance-of-precipitation-explained/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  13. 46

    How fast would NYC crumble without people? Featuring 'Survivorman' Les Stroud

    In a world without people, how fast would NYC fall apart and nature take over? PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠⁠⁠ go through the timeline for re-wilding America's densest city. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/environment/abandoned-nyc-what-would-happen/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  14. 45

    How do squirrels find their buried nuts in winter?

    Every fall, squirrels hide thousands of acorns—but how do they find them again in the winter? PopSci Editor ⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠ get a little nutty to find the answer. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/how-squirrels-find-nuts/ To learn more about Tommy Tucker, visit: https://www.popsci.com/environment/famous-ww2-squirrel-tommy-tucker/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  15. 44

    What happens to your bag after you check it in?

    Each year, roughly 500 MILLION bags are checked at U.S airports, with only 0.4% getting lost - so how DO airlines move your bags around and keep track of them. PopSci Editors ⁠⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Laura Baisas go on a journey to explain it all. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/technology/what-happens-to-your-checked-bag/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  16. 43

    What is human composting?

    A growing number of Americans are choosing to return to earth after death—literally. Green burials, and specifically human composting, is an environmentally conscious, life-sustaining option that’s now legal in 14 states. But how does a human composting vessel work? And what exactly happens to Grandpa’s hip replacement once he’s been “recycled?” PopSci Editor ⁠⁠Sarah Durn⁠⁠ and Editor-in-Chief ⁠⁠Annie Colbert⁠⁠ dig deep to explain it all. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/how-human-composting-works/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to ⁠https://popsci.com/ask⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  17. 42

    Why do we get goosebumps? Plus: RL Stine!

    Goosebumps are a valuable tool for many animals. They keep mammals with thick fur warm by trapping air near their skin, or help make them look bigger when facing off against a rival. However, in humans a wide range of emotions can also induce goosebumps. BUT WHY? Join PopSci Editor Sarah Durn and Editor-in-Chief Annie Colbert as they explain the science AND chat with Goosebumps legend, RL Stine. Read the full story that inspired this episode: https://www.popsci.com/science/why-goosebumps-happen/ If you have a question for a future episode, go to https://popsci.com/ask 00:00 Exploring Personal Goosebump Triggers and Their Ancient Animal Roots 04:43 Unpacking the Autonomic Nervous System's Role in Cold and Fear Responses 07:38 Distinguishing Chills from Goosebumps in Response to Music, Art, and Awe 10:29 Goosebumps Author R.L. Stine Shares Origin of the Book Series' Name Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  18. 41

    Welcome back to Ask Us Anything from Popular Science

    Join us as we dive into your weirdest, most mind-burning questions–from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. This is… Ask Us Anything. New episodes drop every other Wednesday starting November 12, with more AUA questions and answers here: https://www.popsci.com/category/ask-us-anything/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  19. 40

    How do chatbots work?

    If you remember chatting with SmarterChild back on AOL Instant Messenger back in the day, you know how far ChatGPT and Google Bard have come. But how do these so-called chatbots work—and what’s the best way to use them to our advantage? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  20. 39

    How is Voyager's vintage technology still flying?

    Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 launched back in 1977 with only a five-year mission to take a gander at Jupiter and Saturn’s rings and moons. Obviously, the Voyager spacecrafts have persisted a lot longer than five years: 46 years, to be exact. They’re still careening through space at a distance between 12 and 14 billion miles from Earth. So how have they lasted four decades longer than expected? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  21. 38

    Can you become a morning person?

    There's plenty of good reasons to be a morning lark. So is it possible, or is biology totally against us wannabe early birds? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Lauren Young: https://twitter.com/laurenjyoung617 Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  22. 37

    Where’s the best place to sit in a movie theater?

    We all have our preferred seats at the movies. But is there scientifically a best place to sit? Stan Horaczek has the answer. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Stan Horaczek: https://twitter.com/stanhoraczek Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  23. 36

    Are the bees still dying?

    Five or ten years ago, all we heard was "save the bees." Well, are they still dying? PopSci's Philip Kiefer has the answers—and they're surprisingly complicated. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Philip Kiefer: https://twitter.com/PhilipJKiefer Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  24. 35

    Why do we like pimple popping?

    It's super gross, but you can't look away—why are pimple popping videos so magnetic? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Chelsey B. Coombs: https://twitter.com/chelseybcoombs Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  25. 34

    How do planes fly?

    Airplanes are massive, heavy, gigantic hunks of metal. So how do their engines keep them aloft? PopSci's Rob Verger has the details. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Rob Verger: https://twitter.com/robverger Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  26. 33

    What’s the best way to reheat pizza?

    Cold pizza is *chefs kiss.* But what if you want to heat up that leftover 'za? Our DIY editors have done the (mostly) delicious research to tell you the scientifically best way to reheat pizza. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Sandra Gutiérrez and John Kennedy: https://twitter.com/SandyGuti https://twitter.com/JBKnotJFK Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  27. 32

    What’s the best way to detox?

    There's a lot of talk these days about the best way to "detox" your bod. But the real secret to it all was inside you all along. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Rachel Feltman: https://twitter.com/RachelFeltman Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  28. 31

    Can I have a pet fox?

    Foxes are cute, seemingly cuddly, and full of personality. So can we have them as pets? PopSci's Philip Kiefer explains why the answer gets complicated. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Philip Kiefer: https://twitter.com/PhilipJKiefer Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  29. 30

    How can I be more photogenic?

    Without the filters, without the FaceTune—just using light, camera know-how, and posing—is there a way to be more photogenic? Photography expert and PopSci editor Stan Horaczek will have you looking your best (using science!) in no time. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Stan Horaczek: https://twitter.com/stanhoraczek Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  30. 29

    What’s a haboob?

    Ever heard of a haboob? Don't worry, PopSci's Chelsey B. Coombs explains it all—from their anatomy to their historical appearances. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Chelsey B. Coombs: https://twitter.com/chelseybcoombs Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  31. 28

    Is the megalodon shark still alive?

    Could the legendary megalodon shark still be lurking in our oceans? PopSci's Purbita Saha dishes out the details. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Purbita Saha: https://twitter.com/hahabita Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  32. 27

    Why do we get wisdom teeth?

    Season 3 is HERE! First up, Lauren sinks her teeth into a real head-scratcher—why do we still get wisdom teeth if they're useless? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Lauren Young: https://twitter.com/laurenjyoung617 Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  33. 26

    Season 3: Premiering 6/21!

    Season 3 goes live on Tuesday, June 21st! We'll answer questions like why we still get wisdom teeth, are the bees still dying, and what is the scientifically best way to reheat pizza—all with a brand new group of hosts. Episodes publish twice a week. See you soon! Ask Us Anything Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Ask Us Anything Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askpopscipod/ Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  34. 25

    24. Did food taste better 50 years ago?

    It's the season 2 finale! What did food taste like 50 years ago—and was it actually better than it is now?  -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  35. 24

    23. What is a super car?

    There are regular cars, there are luxury cars, and then there are.... SUPER cars. But what even is a super car? As our host explains, it can often be more of a vibe than anything else—but there are some specific criteria to hit.  -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Rob Verger: https://twitter.com/robverger Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  36. 23

    22. What would happen if the sun went out?

    The sun is, to put it lightly, quite important to life on Earth. What would happen if it suddenly went poof? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Sara Kiley Watson: https://twitter.com/SaraKileyWatson Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  37. 22

    21. Can stress kill you?

    If you're looking for a sign to take a vacation... this might be it. -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  38. 21

    20. Why can't we all touch our toes?

    We finally dive into the classic question—why can't we all touch our toes? And why the heck is it such a big deal? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  39. 20

    19. What does space smell like?

    Sure, you can't literally smell IN space. But what if you could? Just how stinky is it out there? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Rachel Feltman: https://twitter.com/RachelFeltman Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  40. 19

    18. Do we really need homework?

    Homework—we've all done it. (Or avoided it.) But is homework truly necessary for learning and becoming a fully formed human? -- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Stan Horaczek: https://twitter.com/stanhoraczek Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  41. 18

    17. How much water should I drink a day?

    Most people will tell you to drink 8 cups of water per day—but what if we told you that the answer is SO much more complicated than that? -- Get your tickets to Weirdest Thing's virtual live show, which is Tuesday, 9/21, right here! Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  42. 17

    16. What did dinosaurs taste like?

    Modern dinosaurs obviously taste like chicken—because they ARE chickens. But what would dinos like stegosauruses and T. rexes have tasted like back in the day? -- Get your tickets to Weirdest Thing's virtual live show, which is Tuesday, 9/21, right here! Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  43. 16

    15. What'd happen if I ate my computer?

    So... yes, this is a weird question. But electronics are hard to recycle, ok? Can't we just toss them down the hatch? What would they do to our bodies? -- Get your tickets to Weirdest Thing's virtual live show, which is Tuesday, 9/21, right here! Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  44. 15

    14. How can you safely send nude photos?

    In a pandemic world, we've gotta get a little creative in order to stay intimate. But even sending a nude can be dangerous—so how can we do it safely? -- Get your tickets to Weirdest Thing's virtual live show, which is Tuesday, 9/21, right here! Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  45. 14

    13. Can you cure a hangover?

    Let's face it—hangovers suck. But what if there was a way to cure them? -- Get your tickets to Weirdest Thing's virtual live show, which is Tuesday, 9/21, right here! Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  46. 13

    Season 2: Premiering 9/7!

    If you liked season 1 of our show, then you are going to LOVE Season 2. We’ll hit your feeds on Tuesday, September 7th, with new hosts and new questions to tackle—including how to safely send nude photos, what would a dinosaur taste like, how to cure a hangover, and so much more. So tune in on September 7th wherever you get podcasts for twice-a-week episodes. For more updates, you can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram @askpopscipod. Thanks for listening, and see you soon! Ask Us Anything Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Ask Us Anything Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askpopscipod/ Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  47. 12

    12. Why can't we see more colors?

    The world is teeming with colors we see everyday. But humans don’t see every color on the light spectrum. There is a whole world of color that we can’t recognize. --- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  48. 11

    11. What is an allergy?

    As many of us know far too well, allergy season is upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere. But why do our bodies cause us such pain every spring? And why are people allergic to certain foods or animals?  --- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  49. 10

    10. What's your brain doing when you daydream?

    On long days, it's not unusual to conjure up scenes of lush beaches, serene mountaintops, or even a cozy blanket fort and a good movie. But what's happening in our brains when we do that? And is it healthy to do this so often? --- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  50. 9

    9. Are there good viruses?

    For the last year and a half, we've really only had one big virus on our minds—and it's a very bad one. But are there good viruses out there? And what can viruses do for us? --- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskPopSciPod Hosted by Claire Maldarelli: https://twitter.com/camaldarelli Produced by Jess Boddy: https://twitter.com/JessicaBoddy Music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq Art by Katie Belloff: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bellz --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/askusanythingbypopsci/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions—from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Join our editors as they explain it all, with new episodes every other Wednesday.Submit a question for a future episode at https://popsci.com/ask

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What is Ask Us Anything by Popular Science about?

Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions—from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Join our editors as they explain it all, with new episodes every other Wednesday.Submit a question for a future episode at...

How often does Ask Us Anything by Popular Science release new episodes?

Ask Us Anything by Popular Science has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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