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Short Wave

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NPR

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

#1482

Hantavirus: the risks, the science and what you need to know

On May 2, the World Health Organization got an alarming report: People aboard a ship in th... more

08 May 2026

12 MINS

12:57

08 May 2026

#1481

How science is taking tripping mainstream

President Trump recently signed an order to speed up the evaluation of psychedelics to tre... more

06 May 2026

12 MINS

12:56

06 May 2026

#1480

This medical condition stumped doctors for years

One morning, Kyla Madonna Kenney woke up and her world was turned upside down: The room wa... more

05 May 2026

14 MINS

14:29

05 May 2026

#1479

The secret behind clownfish stripes and more fishy fascinations

We reeled in science reporter [Ari Daniel] (https://www.npr.org/people/297147967/ari-danie... more

04 May 2026

12 MINS

12:43

04 May 2026

#1478

Coffee is complex. Can science standardize it for the better?

Ask any coffee aficionado, and they’ll tell you: A good cup is about more than the beans. ... more

01 May 2026

10 MINS

10:10

01 May 2026

#1477

NASA is practicing moonwalks. When are we going back?

After the success of Artemis II, we at Short Wave definitely have moon fever. So, we broug... more

29 Apr 2026

09 MINS

09:59

29 Apr 2026

#1476

Set up solar, or save a tree? It’s complicated

To solar or not to solar? That is the question for this latest episode of our monthly seri... more

28 Apr 2026

12 MINS

12:26

28 Apr 2026

#1475

The mystery that led this family to get their stomachs removed

When Karyn Paringatai learned about a pattern among her family members, it changed the cou... more

27 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:28

27 Apr 2026

#1474

Why a chimp 'civil war' shows how societies collapse

In the mid-1970s, primatologist Jane Goodall witnessed something that changed her opinion ... more

24 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:51

24 Apr 2026

#1473

Where did our moon come from?

Earth didn’t always have a moon. In the beginning of the solar system, when the planets we... more

22 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:17

22 Apr 2026

#1472

Eating disorder recovery in a diet culture world

Eating disorders are complicated illnesses that skyrocketed among teenagers during the COV... more

21 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:39

21 Apr 2026

#1471

These voicemails save lives

For residents of Prek Touch, Cambodia — right on the banks of the Mekong River — flooding ... more

20 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:55

20 Apr 2026

#1470

The psychology behind why you dread small talk

Do you avoid small talk in the office, or with your neighbor in the elevator? If so, you m... more

17 Apr 2026

09 MINS

09:56

17 Apr 2026

#1469

A new approach to brain health, one neuron at a time

Neuroscientist [Paul Nuyujukian] (https://bil.stanford.edu/paul-nuyujukian) likens the bra... more

15 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:18

15 Apr 2026

#1468

Is there still a gender gap in medical research?

When you go to the doctor’s office, your doctor has to figure out which treatment is best ... more

14 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:18

14 Apr 2026

#1467

Are you pooping all wrong?

Talking about poop can be taboo, and this social norm may be hurting our health. [Dr. Tris... more

13 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:18

13 Apr 2026

#1466

Who's to blame for all this plastic?

How did plastic become so ubiquitous? The answer lies deep beneath the surface of the eart... more

10 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:26

10 Apr 2026

#1465

Quantum physics is for everybody

Subatomic particles, gravity wells and the beginning of the universe – these are difficult... more

08 Apr 2026

14 MINS

14:12

08 Apr 2026

#1464

Why are bees special? We get inside a hive to find out

In a new National Geographic docuseries, viewers get a look inside a bee hive. The series ... more

07 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:12

07 Apr 2026

#1463

The world is running out of helium — again

Lots of people count on helium. From MRI machines and semiconductor manufacturing to press... more

06 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:16

06 Apr 2026

#1462

Never had the flu? Scientists may know why

Scientists estimate somewhere between 5%-35% of people do not get sick from the flu despit... more

03 Apr 2026

10 MINS

10:13

03 Apr 2026

#1461

Why is NASA going to the moon again?

NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to launch this week, which could bring humanity close to ... more

01 Apr 2026

13 MINS

13:02

01 Apr 2026

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#1482

Hantavirus: the risks, the science and what you need to know

#1481

How science is taking tripping mainstream

#1480

This medical condition stumped doctors for years

#1479

The secret behind clownfish stripes and more fishy fascinations

#1478

Coffee is complex. Can science standardize it for the better?

#1477

NASA is practicing moonwalks. When are we going back?

#1476

Set up solar, or save a tree? It’s complicated

#1475

The mystery that led this family to get their stomachs removed

#1474

Why a chimp 'civil war' shows how societies collapse

#1473

Where did our moon come from?

#1472

Eating disorder recovery in a diet culture world

#1471

These voicemails save lives

#1470

The psychology behind why you dread small talk

#1469

A new approach to brain health, one neuron at a time

#1468

Is there still a gender gap in medical research?

#1467

Are you pooping all wrong?

#1466

Who's to blame for all this plastic?

#1465

Quantum physics is for everybody

#1464

Why are bees special? We get inside a hive to find out

#1463

The world is running out of helium — again

#1462

Never had the flu? Scientists may know why

#1461

Why is NASA going to the moon again?