How and why do mosquitoes suck our blood? Why do their bites itch ALL the time? Why do some people get bitten more than others? And do these pesky and possibly dangerous insects serve any kind of useful purpose?

How and why do mosquitoes suck our blood? Why do their bites itch ALL the time? Why do some people get bitten more than others? And do these pesky and possibly dangerous insects serve any kind of useful purpose?

Brains On!® is a science podcast for curious kids and adults from Brains On Universe. Each week, a different kid co-host joins Molly Bloom to find answers to fascinating questions about the world sent in by listeners. Like, do dogs know they’re dogs? Or, why do feet stink? Plus, we have mystery sounds for you to guess, songs for you to dance to, and lots of facts -- all checked by experts.

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

Brains On!&reg; is a science podcast for curious kids and adults from Brains On Universe. Each week, a different kid co-host joins Molly Bloom to find answers to fascinating questions about the world sent in by listeners. Like, do dogs know they&rsquo;re dogs? Or, why do feet stink? Plus, we have mystery sounds for you to guess, songs for you to dance to, and lots of facts -- all checked by experts.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media <a href="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-stringify-link="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://lemonadamedia.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Brains On! Science podcast for kids

Mosquitoes: What are they good for?

Have you ever heard of Lake Natron? It’s located in Tanzania, Africa, and, if you believe the internet, it can instantly petrify anything that touches it. Lucky for us, we have a direct line to the Hoax Hunters (aka Sanden and Marc) - they love myths, and they hate getting tricked.

Along the way to saying yea or nay to this stoney phenomenon, the Hoax Hunters speak with Neovitus Sianga. Not only does he have firsthand knowledge of the lake, but he works for African People and Wildlife, where he helps protect the environment around Lake Natron.

We also have a brand new Mystery Sound… and Marc and Sanden start a cleaning service?!?

Guest: Neovitus Sianga

Want more Hoax Hunters? Here are a few more episodes featuring our hoax hunting pals:

Are UFOs real?
Lost Cities
Mermaids, Kraken and Loch Ness Monster
Bigfoot, Unicorns and Dragons

Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more!

Click here for a transcript of this episode. 

Have you ever heard of Lake Natron? It&rsquo;s located in Tanzania, Africa, and, if you believe the internet, it can instantly petrify anything that touches it. Lucky for us, we have a direct line to the Hoax Hunters (aka Sanden and Marc) - they love myths, and they hate getting tricked.
Along the way to saying yea or nay to this stoney phenomenon, the Hoax Hunters speak with Neovitus Sianga. Not only does he have firsthand knowledge of the lake, but he works for <a href="https://www.africanpeoplewildlife.org/">African People and Wildlife</a>, where he helps protect the environment around Lake Natron.
We also have a brand new Mystery Sound&hellip; and Marc and Sanden start a cleaning service?!?
Guest:&nbsp;Neovitus Sianga
Want more Hoax Hunters? Here are a few more episodes featuring our hoax hunting pals:
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/brains-on-science-podcast-for-kids/are-ufos-real">Are UFOs real? </a><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/brains-on-science-podcast-for-kids/lost-cities-making-sense-of-myths-pt-2">Lost Cities </a><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/brains-on-science-podcast-for-kids/mermaids-kraken-and-the-loch-ness-monster-making-sense-of-myths-pt-3">Mermaids, Kraken and Loch Ness Monster </a><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/brains-on-science-podcast-for-kids/bigfoot-unicorns-and-dragons-making-sense-of-myths-pt-1">Bigfoot, Unicorns and Dragons</a>
Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? <a href="https://brainson.supercast.com/">Sign up for Smarty Pass</a>. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more!
Click&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F8-ngI_sXNnLwjO5UXc2aQk4N7va8fjK/view?usp=sharing">here</a> for a transcript of this episode.&nbsp;

Hoax Hunters: Can a lake turn animals to stone?

Skunks can stink, no doubt about it. But that stink is actually a superpower! Join Molly and co-host Diya as they find out how these critters use their smell to scare away enemies, what the smell is made of, and how to make your own de-skunking potion. Plus, Wombat Pete drops by to promote his new music festival, we speak to some skunk experts, and we try our best to guess a new Mystery Sound.

Don't forget the de-skunking potion mnemonic: 

4 Cats Had Problems

Queen Coughed Beside Suzie's Tenth Lasagna, Don't Sneeze

Translation: 

4 Cups hydrogen peroxide

Quarter Cup baking soda

Teaspoon Liquid Dish Soap

Guest: Marie Tosa, Research Scientist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

Guest:Ted Stankowich, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and CSU Long Beach.

Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more!

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Skunks can stink, no doubt about it. But that stink is actually a superpower! Join Molly and co-host Diya as they find out how these critters use their smell to scare away enemies, what the smell is made of, and how to make your own de-skunking potion. Plus, Wombat Pete drops by to promote his new music festival, we speak to some skunk experts, and we try our best to guess a new Mystery Sound.
Don't forget the de-skunking potion mnemonic:&nbsp;
4 Cats Had Problems
Queen Coughed Beside Suzie's Tenth Lasagna, Don't Sneeze
Translation:&nbsp;
4 Cups hydrogen peroxide
Quarter Cup baking soda
Teaspoon Liquid Dish Soap
Guest: Marie Tosa, Research Scientist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.&nbsp;
Guest: Ted Stankowich, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and CSU Long Beach.
Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? <a href="https://brainson.supercast.com/">Sign up for Smarty Pass</a>. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more!
Click <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1euOpi_6ZrB3pwxtEf2AI5ZjaUzR0qPBZ/view?usp=sharing">here</a> for a transcript of this episode.

Why do skunks stink?

 We're on a little winter break and we're gonna be back with a new Brains On episode next week. This week we have an episode of our Sister show forever ago to share with you. If you're interested in origin stories or history, this is the show for you. You can subscribe wherever you listen to Brains On.

Get ready for an out-of-this-world episode! Joy and co-host Elsa are trapped in a black hole with a baby elephant and a mountain of old junk! 

They’ll explore the history of a super secret astronaut testing program for women called the “Fellow Lady Astronaut Trainees.” This group of bold, highly-trained pilots spent years making a case for why women are just as qualified to become astronauts as men! 

Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more!

 

We're on a little winter break and we're gonna be back with a new Brains On episode next week. This week we have an episode of our Sister show forever ago to share with you. If you're interested in origin stories or history, this is the show for you. You can subscribe wherever you listen to Brains On.
Get ready for an out-of-this-world episode! Joy and co-host Elsa are trapped in a black hole with a baby elephant and a mountain of old junk!&nbsp;
They&rsquo;ll explore the history of a super secret astronaut testing program for women called the &ldquo;Fellow Lady Astronaut Trainees.&rdquo; This group of bold, highly-trained pilots spent years making a case for why women are just as qualified to become astronauts as men!&nbsp;
Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? <a href="https://brainson.supercast.com/">Sign up for Smarty Pass</a>. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more!
&nbsp;

Mosquitoes: What are they good for?

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