Brainy Bits 90—smart science in 90 seconds

Super-Nose Moth!

How far can your nose smell? A few feet? Maybe a few rooms away? Well, meet the giant emperor moth — the flying superhero that can sniff out a mate from over a mile away! In today’s episode of Brainy Bits 90, we dive into the amazing world of moths with super-sensitive, feathery antennae that can track a single scent through forests and fields. Find out how these incredible insects race against time — and use their built-in “super-nose” to find love before their short adventure ends! Get ready for some serious sniffing power! Brainy Bits 90. ACF.

Tiny Tummy Tenants: How Your Gut Microbiome Grows Up with You

In this episode of Brainy Bits 90, we’re talking about the wild party happening in your gut—from babyhood to about age 8. According to a study in Nature Medicine, your gut microbiome is basically a microbial city that evolves as you grow. We’re talking poop samples, milk-to-mac-and-cheese milestones, fart facts, and even a Pepper cameo. Let’s get into the guts of it. Brainy Bits 90. ACF

The Super-Hearing Showdown

In this episode of Brainy Bits 90, we’re heading into the night sky where bats are hunting—and moths are listening. The greater wax moth has insanely good hearing, like hide-and-seek champion level. Based on research published in Biology Letters, this bug hears bats coming way before they strike. Who wins this nighttime game? Tune in to find out. Brainy Bits 90. ACF.

Pop Goes the Iceberg!

In this episode of Brainy Bits 90, we’re cracking open a cool discovery: tiny air bubbles trapped in glacial ice are secretly speeding up glacier melt—like, a lot. According to a study in Nature Geoscience, these little pops are stirring up big trouble in the climate game. Let’s find out how something so small can make such a splash. Brainy Bits 90. ACF.

Why Dogs Dance with Their Tails

You’ve seen it a thousand times—your dog sees you, and their tail goes into overdrive. But why do dogs wag their tails so much? In this episode of Brainy Bits 90, we dig into a new opinion piece from Biology Letters that explores the neuroscience, evolution, and even the rhythm behind that iconic doggy dance. Bonus: Pepper drops in with a perfectly timed tail thump. Brainy Bets 90. ACF.