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.
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Minecraft is a movie and a very popular video game with iconic block graphics that characters can "mine" for building material and gems. It's also what cognitive scientist Charley Wu and his team utilized to study how people learned as they played. Their unique study focused on both individual and social learning — and they found a clear answer to which players were most successful. (Hint: Get you a player who can do both.) Their results were published recently in the journal Nature Communicatio...
This episode of Short Wave dissects the health and science policy changes during the Trump administration's first 100 days, focusing on the impact of budget cuts and agency restructuring. It explores the ramifications for both domestic health services, such as food safety and disease tracking, and international aid efforts, particularly in global health initiatives. The discussion highlights the potential long-term consequences for public health and international relations.
A good night's sleep makes a big difference to our mental and physical health. Without quality sleep, we're less productive. Grumpy. It can even affect our hearts. Meanwhile, more and more people are having problems falling and staying asleep, including kids. So some parents are turning to a supplement called melatonin as a potential solution. But some experts worry that there isn't enough research about how regularly taking melatonin affects kids in the long term. Today on the show, we explore ...
This episode of Short Wave explores the fascinating world of marine invertebrates and their unique superpowers. Marine biologist Drew Harvell discusses how these spineless creatures, like sponges, sea slugs, and sea stars, inspire scientific and medical innovation. The episode highlights the ecological importance and potential human applications of these often-overlooked ocean inhabitants.
This episode of Short Wave discusses the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a new astronomical facility in Chile with a massive digital camera designed to survey the entire southern sky. The observatory will generate an unprecedented amount of data, analyzed in real-time to detect changes and alert astronomers to new events. One of the primary goals is to search for the elusive Planet 9, a hypothetical large planet beyond Neptune.
A fish walks into a pharmacy ... well, not exactly. Fish aren't being prescribed anti-anxiety drugs. But they are experiencing the effects. Researchers have found more than 900 different pharmaceutical ingredients in rivers and streams around the world, though they're not yet sure how this could change the behavior of fish and other aquatic animals in the wild. "We can't, you know, dump a bunch of pharmaceuticals into the river," says Jack Brand , biologist at the Swedish University of Agricultu...
This episode of Short Wave explores the phenomenon of early blooming flowers and trees, prompted by a listener's observations in Oakland, California. It delves into the field of phenology, examining historical records like Thoreau's and modern climate data to understand how warming temperatures and urban environments affect plant timing. The episode also provides resources and advice for gardeners and nature enthusiasts to track and adapt to these changes.
Kelly and Zach Weinersmith discuss the practicalities and challenges of establishing a human settlement on Mars. They explore the dangers of space travel, the difficulties of creating a sustainable environment, and the ethical considerations of raising children in such a hostile setting. They ultimately conclude that focusing on improving Earth is a more viable and responsible path forward.
The male European fiddler crab attracts his mate by performing a courtship dance. New research published in the Journal of Experimental Biology says that dance isn't just notable for its visuals — it's notable for its vibrations, too. Researchers observed four different stages of the crab's courtship dance, each stage escalating the amount of seismic vibrational output. "It's 'come and find me in my underground house, ladies,'" says Beth Mortimer , a study author and biologist at the University ...
This episode of Short Wave explores the evolution of complex brains in birds, reptiles, and mammals. Fernando García-Moreno discusses his research on the pallium, a brain structure involved in cognitive processing, and explains how convergent evolution has led to similar brain circuits across different species. The conversation challenges anthropocentric views, suggesting that human intelligence isn't as unique as we might think, and highlights the amazing capabilities of bird brains.
This Short Wave episode revisits the topic of worsening allergy seasons, featuring an interview with Dr. Juanita Mora. The discussion covers the increasing length and severity of allergy seasons due to climate change factors like rising carbon dioxide levels and temperatures. Practical tips are provided for managing allergy symptoms, such as keeping windows closed, showering after being outside, and monitoring pollen counts.
Did you know there's an insect that can fling its pee 40 times faster than a cheetah accelerates? We did — thanks to a comic from the Bhamla Lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Since 2020, principal investigator Saad Bhamla has been leading the charge to make science more accessible by publishing comics alongside every paper his lab publishes. Today, he introduces Emily to two of the most popular characters — Sheriff Sharpshooter and Captain Cicada — and shares why a comic about butt-fli...
This episode of Short Wave discusses how astronomers are using a new method, astrometry, to find exoplanets by observing the 'wiggles' of stars. It explores how the Gaia telescope's precise measurements have enabled this technique, allowing scientists to discover distant planets and paint a more complete picture of solar systems beyond our own. The episode also touches on the discovery of a super Jupiter named Gaia 4b and the future potential of astrometry in exoplanet research.
This week, we've heard from researchers trying to untangle the effects of the "trip" that often comes with psychedelics and ketamine from the ways these drugs might change the human brain. For part three of our series on psychedelic drug research, we get a glimpse into why some researchers are taking the "trip" out of these drugs altogether. You don't need to have heard the previous two episodes to understand this episode on what could be next for psychedelic medicine. Catch the rest of this ser...
This episode of Short Wave explores the complexities of studying psychedelics and ketamine, focusing on the challenge of isolating the drug's effects from the influence of the 'trip' and other non-drug factors. It discusses a study where ketamine was administered under anesthesia to treat depression, and examines the surprising impact of the placebo effect. The episode also explores research into creating new drugs that mimic the benefits of psychedelics without the hallucinogenic experience.
Researchers are studying psychedelics as a possible treatment for conditions like depression, PTSD and substance use disorders. But they don't know exactly how these drugs work. Getting the answer to this question is especially difficult when people often take psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin for the "trip." This week on Short Wave , we're talking to researchers about how they're trying to untangle the effects of this "trip" from the ways psychedelics might change the human brain ... and why...
Running an entire marathon takes a lot of energy. Neuroscientist Carlos Matute knows this: he's run 18 of them. He wondered how runners' bodies get the energy they need to make it to the finish line. His new research in the journal Nature Metabolism may be the first step in answering the question – and suggests their brains might be (temporarily) depleting a fatty substance that coats nerve cells called myelin. Have other questions about the brain? Let us know by emailing [email protected] ! Lis...
This episode explores the science behind Tornado Alley's high tornado frequency compared to similar geographic regions like South America. It discusses research highlighting the impact of land surface roughness on wind patterns and tornado formation. The conversation also touches on the complexities of linking climate change to tornado activity and the importance of considering terrain changes in understanding severe weather.
This episode of Short Wave explores the mystery of how iguanas, native to the Americas, ended up on the remote island of Fiji. Scientists investigated two main hypotheses: gradual migration via ancient land bridges and a trans-oceanic journey on a raft of vegetation. By analyzing genomic data and iguana family trees, they found evidence supporting the rafting theory, highlighting the resilience of these animals and the role of improbable dispersal events in shaping the biological world.
It seems like artificial intelligence is everywhere in our virtual lives. It's in our search results and our phones. But what happens when AI moves out of the chat and into the real world? NPR science editor and correspondent Geoff Brumfiel took a trip to the Intelligence through Robotic Interaction at Scale Lab at Stanford University to see how scientists are using AI to power robots and the large hurdles that exist for them to perform even simple tasks. Read Geoff's full story . Interested in ...
This episode of Short Wave explores the mysterious narwhal and its tusk, diving into recent drone footage that reveals new insights into their behavior. The discussion covers the tusk's potential uses beyond attracting mates, including hunting and social interaction, while also highlighting the many unknowns about these elusive arctic whales. Experts discuss the challenges of studying narwhals and the importance of ongoing research to understand their lives.
Microalgae are tiny organisms that convert energy from sunlight into fuel. The arctic ecosystem depends on them. In springtime, the algae bloom brilliant shades of green and draw tiny crustaceans, fish, birds and more to arctic waters. But what happens in wintertime, when the sun goes down and darkness reins for months? In the depths of the polar night, biogeochemist Clara Hoppe has found evidence that some microalgae are still ready to photosynthesize. Today on the show: how tiny microalgae lim...
Baseball season is nigh! From Yankee stadium in New York to Dodger stadium in Los Angeles, teams around the country will face off Thursday to mark the start of the 2025 MLB season. And when we here at Short Wave think of baseball, we naturally think of physics. To get the inside scoop on the physics of baseball, like how to hit a home run, we talk to Frederic Bertley , CEO and President of the Center of Science and Industry, a science museum in Columbus, Ohio. In this encore episode, he also tal...
This episode of Short Wave discusses how early predictions about the slow mutation rate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were proven wrong. It explores research suggesting that persistent infections in immunocompromised individuals may act as a 'training ground' for the virus, accelerating its evolution. The episode also touches on how COVID-19 has revolutionized virology research and disease surveillance.
Ever diagnosed yourself with a mental health disorder based on a TikTok video? If so, you're not alone. "I personally don't think that there's anything more human than wanting to understand yourself and wanting to understand your own experiences," says Vasileia Karasavva . Vasileia is the lead author of a paper published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One that gets into why this kind of self-diagnosis can be such a double-edged sword. Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support...
Ever scan the ingredient list of your favorite personal care products like shampoos or lotions and think, what are these complicated chemicals? And are any of them bad for me? We definitely have. And our colleagues at NPR's Life Kit did one step better: They parlayed their anxiety spiral into a helpful guide on the safety of personal care products. So today, Gina talks to Life Kit 's Marielle Segarra about some of the top chemicals of concern, including parabens and phthalates. Click here to hea...
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known to science – more contagious than Ebola, smallpox or COVID-19. Declining vaccination rates over the past few years, plus a recent outbreak in West Texas, have public health experts concerned. Here's what to know about the science of this virus — plus how to protect against it. For the latest, host Regina G. Barber talks to NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy . Interested in other stories about public health? Tell us what you want t...
This episode explores the neuroscience behind the Apple TV+ show Severance with neurosurgeon and science consultant Dr. Vijay Agarwal. The discussion covers the plausibility of the show's premise, the potential of neurotechnology, and the ethical considerations of manipulating memory and consciousness. Agarwal also touches on the themes of trauma, grief, and the human brain's complexities.
This episode of Short Wave explores the surprising link between dinosaur extinction and the evolution of fruit-bearing plants. Chris Doughty discusses how the extinction of dinosaurs led to darker forests and larger seeds, eventually fostering the rise of fruit and influencing the evolution of primates. The episode also examines how human activities are reshaping ecosystems today, similar to the impact of past mass extinctions.
This episode of Short Wave explores the complexities of biological sex, challenging the common binary understanding. It delves into chromosomal, chemical, and physical factors that determine sex, highlighting variations and intersex conditions. The episode also examines the societal and political influences on how we interpret biological sex, revealing that it is not as simple as male and female.
