Short Wave
New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — in just under 15 minutes. It's science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber for science on a different wavelength. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org . You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Short Wave.
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A new investigation shows heat is even deadlier than we thought
Hot weather isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s killing thousands more Americans than show up in official records. That’s the finding from a new NPR investigation, in partnership wi…
The science of emotional regulation — and how to do it better
Do you ever feel like your emotions control you instead of you controlling them? Maybe you lash out at someone after a long day at work or indulge to avoid a stressful situation.…
What can seashells teach us about the health of our oceans?
Seashells: They're beautiful remnants to carry home from the beach—and so much more! According to environmental journalist Cynthia Barnett , seashells record history more accurate…
Football is here – and so is a new study on CTE
The NFL season begins this week, but America’s favorite sport has been on our minds for other reasons recently. New research released in the journal BMJ reveals that 1 in 4 former…
NASA's newest telescope has a top secret past
The new Nancy Grace Roman space telescope is slated to launch this weekend . It was originally built for the National Reconnaissance Office as a spy satellite, but was never launc…
How your metabolism could alter your mental health
In 2009, medical student Shebani Sethi watched a patient in a weight loss program make a remarkable recovery. The dietary intervention she underwent alleviated her schizophrenia s…
AI-made viruses could be the future of medicine
The era of AI-generated viruses is here. Some scientists are using AI to design viruses that can attack bacteria. The hope is that these tailor-made viruses can fight drug-resista…
How much has the U.S.’s wildlife changed since Lewis and Clark?
Ever wish you could have been part of the Lewis and Clark expedition? Us too. The Corps of Discovery came across scores of plants and animals that were new to Western science: Gri…
Why scientists are stoked about mysterious black hole stars
You've heard of black holes. You've heard of stars. But have you heard of the newly discovered black hole stars that may explain multiple mysteries of the universe? We just did an…
More men are taking testosterone. What gives?
If you’re a guy – or even just friends with a guy – and on the Internet, you may have noticed that testosterone discourse is everywhere . There’s Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth an…
A survivor's view from inside a tornado
What’s the dumbest thing Perry Samson says he’s ever done? Getting caught inside a tornado. But when you’re an atmospheric scientist who studies supercell thunderstorms—with a spe…
Could future wars be fought by AI?
This year, the Department of Defense announced that they’d entered agreements with eight artificial intelligence companies. It follows decades of popular media exploring the idea…
Inside Colombia's big quake – and why more could be coming
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia was devastating. Host Regina Barber talks to earthquake geologist Rodrigo Alejandro Leon Loya about the tectonic plates that caus…
How to see the year's best meteor shower tonight
Right now the best shooting star show of the year is happening: the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. People have been viewing this annual event pretty much as long as we’ve been…
Can you spot AI-written stories? Listen and find out
Can you tell the difference between a human-written short story and an AI-generated one? Most people can’t. In a series of experiments led by a team at Villanova University, resea…
How to see this week's eclipse (and the next big one)
During a total solar eclipse the world around you is very different. The sun gets totally blotted out and suddenly, it feels like night time. The temperature drops. Birds stop sin…
Mirror cells could threaten life on Earth. Why are we building them?
For people with two hands, one is usually dominant. On a molecular level, earthly life takes this to the extreme. All of the DNA in living things twists to the right, whereas the…
The Midnight Rebellion: Almost Midnight
WBUR’s The Midnight Rebellion is a one-of-a-kind podcast: a “choose your own”-style show set 100 years in the future when the climate has gone haywire, and it’s up to you to save…
The red flags that may be hiding in your poop
When’s the last time you looked at your poop? Dr. Trisha Pasricha says you should look every time because it could save your life. A change in bowel habits is the number one indic…
Shooting stars are just pea-sized rocks... and other space wonders
Ahead of the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, we're re-airing our first episode with host Regina G. Barber . In it, Regina and planetary scientist Melissa Rice explore all thing…