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.
If you're hooked, try Short Wave Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/shortwave
- Update frequency
- every 2 days
- Average duration
- 12 minutes
- Episodes
- 1345
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
Chimp Haven Welcomes New Retirees
In 2015, the National Institutes of Health ended invasive biomedical research on its hundreds of chimps. Since then, it's been gradually moving the animals to a sanctuary in Louisiana called Chimp Ha…
00:13:27 |
Fri 04 Feb 2022
Science In The City: Cylita Guy Talks Chasing Bats And Tracking Rats
Cylita Guy was a curious child who enjoyed exploring the beaches, parks and animals that shared her hometown of Toronto, Canada. She's a scientist – an urban ecologist – interested in city-dwelling b…
00:13:18 |
Thu 03 Feb 2022
Should Big Oil Pick Up The Climate Change Bill?
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is deciding whether a Baltimore case against more than a dozen oil and gas companies will be heard in state or federal court. The city argues the companies are lia…
00:11:49 |
Wed 02 Feb 2022
Omicron Ebbing Gives Time to Boost Vaccinations
As COVID-19 cases in the U.S. drop, the hospitalization rate remains high — as does the death rate. Experts say getting a COVID vaccine booster is key to maintaining immunity, but only about half of …
00:10:42 |
Tue 01 Feb 2022
'Station Eleven': A Home At The End Of The World
Today we're bringing you an episode from our friends at NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour.
They review the new HBO Max miniseries Station Eleven, based on the 2014 novel by author Emily St. John Mandel. T…
They review the new HBO Max miniseries Station Eleven, based on the 2014 novel by author Emily St. John Mandel. T…
00:18:30 |
Mon 31 Jan 2022
Omicron Around The World: From "Zero COVID" To Rising Cases
The Omicron surge may have peaked in the U.S., but parts of the world are seeing crippling levels of cases. Jason Beaubien, NPR global health and development correspondent, joins the show to talk abo…
00:12:12 |
Fri 28 Jan 2022
Did E.T. Phone Us?
A few years back, a radio telescope in Australia picked up a radio signal that seemed to be coming from a nearby star. One possibility? Aliens! NPR science correspondent, Geoff Brumfiel, joins the sh…
00:12:47 |
Thu 27 Jan 2022
Megadrought fuels debate over whether a flooded canyon should reemerge
In the 1960s, the Bureau of Reclamation built a dam that flooded a celebrated canyon on the Utah-Arizona border. Today, it's known as Lake Powell — the second-largest reservoir in the U.S.
A half bill…
A half bill…
00:12:21 |
Wed 26 Jan 2022
What's Next For The Pandemic? Will COVID-19 Become Endemic Soon?
Many experts warn there will be more infections on the downslope of the omicron surge, but the U.S. is on the path to the virus becoming endemic — and that should mean fewer interruptions to daily li…
00:07:47 |
Tue 25 Jan 2022
Placebos Vs Parkinson's: The Power Of Joy
Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder that leads to difficulty with walking, balance and coordination. There is currently no cure, but scientists in Pittsburgh, PA have an ambitious plan to develop…
00:13:38 |
Mon 24 Jan 2022
Fighting Bias In Space: When There's A New Telescope, Who Gets To Use It?
The James Webb Space Telescope's mirrors are almost in place and soon it'll be a million miles away from Earth, ready to provide clues to the history of the universe. Naturally, many scientists have…
00:14:08 |
Fri 21 Jan 2022
The Hodgepodge Of COVID Testing In The U.S.
The U.S. government has launched a website where people can request up to four free coronavirus tests per household--shipping is scheduled to begin in late January. They're responding to the fact tha…
00:20:34 |
Thu 20 Jan 2022
A Clean Energy Future: How Hawaii Is Sparking The Push
Sixty percent of electricity in the U.S. comes from fossil fuels, like natural gas and coal. Today on the show, guest host Dan Charles talks with reporter Julia Simon about how Hawaii is fighting cli…
00:13:24 |
Wed 19 Jan 2022
When Tracking Your Period Lets Companies Track You
Health apps can be a great way to stay on top of your health. They let users keep track of things like their exercise, mental health, menstrual cycles — even the quality of their skin. But health dat…
00:14:12 |
Tue 18 Jan 2022
The Debate About Pablo Escobar's Hippos
Pablo Escobar had a private zoo at his estate in Colombia, with zebras, giraffes, flamingoes - and four hippopotamuses. After Escobar was killed in 1993, most of the animals were relocated except for…
00:14:05 |
Fri 14 Jan 2022
How COVID Is Affecting Kids' Mental Health
It's likely the last week has been rough if you're either going to school or in a family with kids trying to navigate school, be it virtual or in person. Thousands of schools around the country have …
00:08:37 |
Thu 13 Jan 2022
Wingspan! It's Got Birds, Science, Caterpillars - An Ideal Night In
Wingspan is a board game that brings the world of ornithology into the living room. The game comes with 170 illustrated birds cards, each equipped with a power that reflects that bird's behavior in n…
00:13:11 |
Wed 12 Jan 2022
Pondering A New Normal As The Omicron Surge Continues
The U.S. is experiencing a viral blizzard which will likely continue through January, 2022. The omicron variant's surge is pushing hospitalization rates up across the country and most of the seriousl…
00:14:54 |
Tue 11 Jan 2022
The Electric Car Race! Vroom, Vroom!
Electric cars can help reduce greenhouse gases and companies are taking note — racing to become the next Tesla. Today on the show, guest host Dan Charles talks with business reporter Camila Domonoske…
00:14:24 |
Mon 10 Jan 2022
Man's Best Friend Is Healing Veterans
Service dogs have long helped veterans with physical disabilities. While there have been stories about veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder being transformed by service animals, the peer-revi…
00:15:22 |
Fri 07 Jan 2022
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