Short Wave
1,155 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 days ago - ★★★★★ - 5.7K ratingsNew 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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Episodes
TASTE BUDDIES: Y U Salty?
April 19, 2022 04:10 - 14 minutes - 13 MBSalt has such a rich history that it was once (and is perhaps still) a sign of wealth. In this latest installment of our series on flavor and taste, "Taste Buddies," Scientist-in-Residence Regina G. Barber goes on a salty flavor journey with scientist Julie Yu. Along the way, Julie explains salt's essential role in our daily lives and how it affects our perception of food. Follow Regina on Twitter @ScienceRegina. Email Short Wave at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor message choic...
The Pandemic Is Damaging Health Workers' Mental Health
April 18, 2022 04:10 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBA recent study found that working surge after surge in the pandemic, a majority of American health care workers experienced psychiatric symptoms — including depression and thoughts of suicide. And yet, mental health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee found that very few got help for these symptoms. If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text the word home to 741741. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podc...
Can Skiing Survive Climate Change?
April 15, 2022 04:16 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBClimate change poses an existential threat to the ski industry. A warmer climate means less snow and less now menas a shorter season for snowboarders and skiiers. NPR correspondent Kirk Siegler first covered the issue 15 years ago as local station reporter in Aspen. Now he returns to that world-renowned destination and tells Short Wave co-host Aaron Scott about one resort's efforts to push the nation toward clean energy while it continues catering to the carbon-generating, jet-set crowd. Ch...
Addressing Water Contamination With Indigenous Science
April 14, 2022 04:10 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBRanalda Tsosie grew up in the Navajo Nation, close to a number of abandoned uranium mines. The uranium from those mines leached into the groundwater, contaminating some of the unregulated wells that Ranalda and many others relied on for cooking, cleaning and drinking water. Today on the show, Ranalda talks to host Aaron Scott about her path to becoming an environmental chemist to study the extent of contamination in her home community using a blend of western and Diné science methods. Learn ...
Voices From A Ukrainian Hospital Damaged By Russian Attacks
April 13, 2022 04:15 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBIn the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv at least half a dozen hospitals have been damaged by Russian attacks. The Emergency Department of City Hospital No. 2, located on the ground floor, was instantly destroyed. In addition, the shock wave shattered windows across all nine floors of the building, showering everything with broken glass. Correspondent Ari Daniel talks to Emily about the attack and brings Short Wave the voices of three people who were there for the attack and the aftermat...
Planet Money: How Manatees Got Into Hot Water
April 12, 2022 04:10 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBToday we share the mic with our colleagues at Planet Money to talk about one of our favorite aquatic creatures: manatees. Decades ago, manatees nearly went extinct as their habitat dwindled and boats threatened their lives. But power companies noticed something: manatees were hanging out near their power plants, seeking out warm water. So, the power companies teamed up with environmentalists to turn the warm waters near power planets into manatee refuges — saving manatee lives and the power c...
Lemurs Will Rock You
April 11, 2022 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBThere's a lot for scientists to learn about the origins of humans' musical abilities. In the last few years, though, they've discovered homo sapiens have some company in our ability to make musical rhythm. Producer Berly McCoy brings the story of singing lemurs to host Aaron Scott. She explains how their harmonies could help answer questions about the beginnings of our own musical abilities, and what all of this has to do with Queen. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.c...
War In Ukraine Sets Back Tuberculosis Treatment
April 08, 2022 04:10 - 9 minutes - 9 MBAccording to the World Health Organization, Ukraine has the fourth highest incidence of tuberculosis in Europe — and one of the highest rates of multidrug resistant TB anywhere in the world. The country had been making progress but then came the pandemic, and now the war. Reporter Ari Daniel says doctors worry about increased spread of this contagious and deadly disease. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
TASTE BUDDIES: The Origins Of Umami
April 07, 2022 04:10 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBA Japanese chemist identified umami in the early 1900s, but it took a century for his work to be translated into English. Short Wave host Emily Kwong talks with producer Chloee Weiner about why it took so long for umami to be recognized as the fifth taste. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
The Indicator: Destroying Personal Digital Data
April 06, 2022 04:15 - 10 minutes - 9.35 MBToday, we present an episode of NPR's daily economics podcast, The Indicator from Planet Money. It's filled with one of our favorite topics: Data. Algorithms are the secret sauce for many tech platforms. With user data, they can help a company tailor a subscriber's experience and make the product better. But what happens when the data that feeds an algorithm is obtained through less than legal means? We learn about the curious case of Kurbo, the weight loss app for kids that the feds say il...
When To Consider Another COVID-19 Booster
April 05, 2022 04:15 - 10 minutes - 9.62 MBThis week, U.S. Food and Drug Administration vaccine advisors will meet to discuss long-term COVID vaccine strategy. This follows the recent FDA authorization and CDC recommendation of a second booster available for people 50 and older and some immunocompromised people. Going forward, will the strategy change from counting boosters to making a COVID vaccine a seasonal shot? Allison Aubrey talks to Emily Kwong about the latest on boosters, what's known about the vaccination timeline for younge...
What We Gain From Dark Night Skies
April 04, 2022 04:15 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBFor many of us, seeing stars in the night sky is challenging because of light pollution. But there are some communities that are trying to change that. Today on the show, we visit cultural astronomer Danielle Adams in the world's first international dark sky city. Theoretical physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein also joins us to explain why access to dark night skies is so important. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
What We Gain From Dark Night Skies
April 04, 2022 04:15 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBFor many of us, seeing stars in the night sky is challenging because of light pollution. But there are some communities that are trying to change that. Today on the show, we visit cultural astronomer Danielle Adams in the world's first international dark sky city. Theoretical physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein also joins us to explain why access to dark night skies is so important.
What Octopus Minds May Tell Us About Aliens
April 01, 2022 04:10 - 14 minutes - 13 MBOctopuses! They are escape artists, they camouflage in all kinds of surroundings, and they are incredibly intelligent creatures--and that intelligence evolved completely separately from humans'. That separate evolution makes them the perfect animal to study for Dominic Sivitilli, a PhD candidate in astrobiology and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Washington. Short Wave co-host Aaron Scott and Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) camera person Stephani Gordon visited Dominic's lab ...
The Peculiar Physics Of The Wiffle Ball
March 31, 2022 04:10 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBShall we play a game - of Wiffle ball? Invented in 1953, this lightweight alternative to a baseball is perfectly suited for back yard romping. Today we explain why the design of the Wiffle ball guarantees that you don't need a strong arm to throw a variety of pitches. More about Jenn Stroud Rossmann's work on Wiffle Balls here: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/09/wiffle-ball-physics/539982/ Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Priv...
The Community Scientists Who Helped Discover A New Planet
March 30, 2022 04:10 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBWhen a team of exoplanetary treasure hunters joined forces with professional astronomers, they discovered a whole new world. Short Wave host Emily Kwong talks with astronomer Paul Dalba and community scientist Tom Jacobs about how their collaboration led to the recent observation of a new Jupiter-like exoplanet. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
To Be DST, Or Not To Be. That Is The Question.
March 29, 2022 04:10 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBThis month, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill to make daylight saving time permanent. Now sleep scientists are weighing in and are suggesting the opposite — that standard time might be a better choice. Correspondent Allison Aubrey talks to host Emily Kwong about the pros and cons of adopting permanent daylight saving time or year-round standard time. You can follow Emily on Twitter @EmilyKwong1234 and Allison @AubreyNPR. Email Short Wave at [email protected]. Learn more about spon...
Indoor Air Quality is Cool for Schools
March 28, 2022 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBThe benefits of indoor air quality in schools are substantial, but American school buildings are old and many face major challenges when it comes to upgrades. Science and health correspondent Maria Godoy talks to host Aaron Scott about how there are a few hopeful signs that indoor air quality in schools will be improved- including some federal money and a new awareness of air quality because of the pandemic. Read Maria's story on indoor air quality in schools here: n.pr/3uy3A93 Email the...
Hal Walker: The Man Who Shot The Moon
March 25, 2022 04:10 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBIn addition to flying, landing, and returning from the moon in 1969 — NASA's Apollo 11 crew helped with a series of scientific experiments. One of them was to leave a special instrument with lots of little reflectors on the surface of the moon. The goal of that experiment was to beam a laser at the moon. Today on the show, Scientist-In-Residence Regina G. Barber talks to host Aaron Scott about the lunar laser ranging experiment — and how shooting that laser helped us better understand one of ...
Can Nuclear Power Save A Struggling Coal Town?
March 24, 2022 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBA struggling Wyoming coal town may soon go nuclear with help from an unlikely partner, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates. NPR Correspondent Kirk Siegler takes us to Kemmerer, Wyo., where Gates' power company, supported by public funds, plans to open a new type of nuclear energy plant in hopes of replacing a closing coal plant. The model facility would create jobs and provide the flexible baseline energy needed to back up solar, wind and other renewables. But is it a good fit for rural Kem...
Should Bulldogs Exist?
March 23, 2022 04:15 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBCute, wrinkly faces aside, bulldogs have myriad health problems. Science points to purebred breeding practices as the reason. NPR Science correspondent Lauren Sommer talks to host Aaron Scott about how a bulldog breeding ban in Norway has fueled an ongoing debate on the practice of breeding dogs with low genetic diversity and, as a result, high instances of health problems. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
COVID-19 Cases Rise In The U.K., U.S. Watches For New Wave
March 22, 2022 04:15 - 7 minutes - 7.07 MBThe omicron outbreak has slowed dramatically in the U.S. But cases are rising in Britain due to an omicron subvariant. There are signs the U.S. could also see a bump in cases in the coming weeks. Stay safe out there, fabulous listeners! Feel free to drop us a line at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Parents Of Transgender Youth Fear Texas' Anti-Trans Orders
March 21, 2022 04:10 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBTexas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the state's Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate certain gender-affirming care as possible child abuse, leaving parents of transgender youth feeling caught between two choices: support their children or face a possible investigation. Annaliese and Rachel are mothers living in Texas and both have transgender children. They speak to NPR about the emotional and mental toll this order has had on their families. And while the order is ...
How Art Can Heal The Brain
March 18, 2022 04:10 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBArts therapies appear to ease a host of brain disorders from Parkinson's to PTSD. But these treatments that rely on music, poetry or visual arts haven't been backed by rigorous scientific testing. Now, artists and brain scientists have launched a program to change that. NPR's brain correspondent Jon Hamilton tells us about an initiative called the NeuroArts Blueprint. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Fighting Misinformation With Science Journalism
March 17, 2022 04:10 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBOn December 31, 2021, The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Spotify posted an episode with an interview with physician Dr. Robert Malone full of misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine. This sparked outrage, a letter from a group of medical professionals, scientists and educators to Spotify and a series of creators pulling their content from the platform. Science Vs., a podcast produced by Gimlet Media which is owned by Spotify, decided to take a stand too. Listen to the episodes of Science ...
What Mount Kilimanjaro Has To Do With The Search For Alien Life
March 16, 2022 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBUnderstanding how life survives in extreme Earth environments could point to ways life can survive on other worlds. Astrobiologist Morgan Cable talks to host Emily Kwong about how her missions here on Earth have guided two upcoming NASA missions in search for alien life, not in a far off galaxy, but here in our solar system. The Titan Dragonfly and the Europa Clipper missions will each explore an ocean world in our solar system, where scientists believe we could find life--life that may be un...
Humble Pi: Enjoying When Math Goes Awry
March 15, 2022 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBOver the last 24 hours, some of us Short Wavers celebrated Pi Day the only way we know how: eating some yummy pie and thinking math thoughts. Here on the show, many of us are math enthusiasts. But none of us claims to be a math perfectionist. We think there's at least as much joy and insight in the mistakes as there is in what we get right. It's a lesson we discussed in today's episode about Matt Parker's book, Humble Pi. It's an oldie but a goodie from our archives.We hope it inspires you to...
Genetic Fact Vs. Fiction And Everything In Between With Janina Jeff
March 14, 2022 04:15 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBGeneticist Janina Jeff is back on the show to talk with host Emily Kwong about season 2 of her podcast In Those Genes. They talk about rhythm, aging and navigating what can be ascribed to our genes and what is determined by society. Check out more of Janina's work on In Those Genes: inthosegenes.com Episodes referenced in today's Short Wave include: - R&B: Rhythm & Blackness - Black Don't Crack And listen to our last episode with Janina: n.pr/35TPyWJ Email the show at [email protected]. Le...
A Physics Legend Part Two: Chien-Shiung Wu's Granddaughter Reflects
March 11, 2022 05:10 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBGrowing up, Jada Yuan didn't realize how famous her grandmother was in the world of physics. In this episode, we delve into the life of physicist Chien-Shiung Wu from her granddaughter's perspective. Jada talks to host Emily Kwong about writing the article Discovering Dr. Wu for the Washington Post, where she is a reporter covering culture and politics. Check out part one in which Emily talks to Short Wave's scientist-in-residence about how Chien-Shiung Wu altered physics. She made a landma...
A Physics Legend Part One: How Chien-Shiung Wu Changed Physics Forever
March 10, 2022 05:10 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBIn the 1950's, a particle physicist made a landmark discovery that changed what we thought we knew about how our universe operates. And Chien-Shiung Wu did it while raising a family and an ocean away from her relatives in China. Short Wave's Scientist-In-Residence Regina Barber joins host Emily Kwong to talk about that landmark discovery--what it meant for the physics world, and what it means to Regina personally as a woman and a Chinese and Mexican American in physics. Learn more about spon...
TASTE BUDDIES: Science of Sour
March 09, 2022 05:10 - 15 minutes - 14 MBPucker up, duderinos! Short Wave's kicking off a series on taste we're calling, "Taste Buddies." In today's episode, we meet Atlantic science writer Katherine Wu and together, we take a tour through the mysteries of sourness — complete with a fun taste test. Along the way, Katie serves up some hypotheses for the evolution of sour taste because, as Katie explains in her article, "The Paradox of Sour," researchers still have a lot to learn about this weird taste. Baffled by another mundane asp...
Checking In On Our Pandemic Habits: What To Lose And What To Keep?
March 08, 2022 05:15 - 10 minutes - 9.74 MBOver the last few years, we've all found different ways to cope with the pandemic. Some people started drinking more, moving less, maybe eating more. Now that the pandemic is at a lull, health experts say it's time to take stock of these habits. Short Wave host Aaron Scott chats with health correspondent Allison Aubrey about how our daily habits have been affected and changed — for better or worse — and how one might start to change ones they want to change. You can follow Aaron on Twitter @...
Dr. Thomas Insel On Why The U.S Mental Health System Has Failed And What Can Be Done
March 07, 2022 05:30 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBFor over a decade, Dr. Thomas Insel headed the National Institute of Mental Health and directed billions of dollars into research on neuroscience and the genetic underpinnings of mental illnesses. Health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee talks with Dr. Thomas Insel about his new book, Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health and how he came to realize where the U.S's mental health care system had failed, despite scientific advances in the field.
Dr. Thomas Insel On Why The U.S Mental Health System Has Failed And What Can Be Done
March 07, 2022 05:30 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBFor over a decade, Dr. Thomas Insel headed the National Institute of Mental Health and directed billions of dollars into research on neuroscience and the genetic underpinnings of mental illnesses. Health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee talks with Dr. Thomas Insel about his new book, Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health and how he came to realize where the U.S's mental health care system had failed, despite scientific advances in the field. Learn more about sponsor message ch...
Emily Runs A Marathon
March 04, 2022 05:10 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBIn 2021, Short Wave host Emily Kwong ran her first marathon. In collaboration with our colleagues at Life Kit, Emily talks about her experience and discusses keys to training with running coach Laura Norris. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Silver Linings From The UN's Dire Climate Change Report
March 03, 2022 05:10 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MBThe United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) just released the second of three reports on climate change. Nearly 300 scientists from all over the world worked together to create this account of how global warming is affecting our society. NPR climate reporter Rebecca Hersher fills us in on this major climate science report and actually brings three empowering takeaways hidden within it. Read the report here: https://bit.ly/3hzWNFv And listen to Rebecca Hersher's ho...
How A Collection Of Threatened Bird Calls Swept The Australian Album Charts
March 02, 2022 05:10 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBWhat bird has a ten-foot wingspan and breeds almost exclusively on a single island in the Pacific Ocean? Find out in this special quiz episode of Short Wave. Host Emily Kwong tests the bird knowledge of musician and nature enthusiast Anthony Albrecht. He recently produced an album of 53 calls from threatened Australian birds to bring awareness to their vulnerable status. Listen to the album, titled Songs of Disappearance, released by the Bowerbird Collective and BirdLife Australia, here. Le...
Orcas: Apex Predators Or Marine Park Stars?
March 01, 2022 12:46 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBNPR science correspondent Lauren Sommer joins Short Wave host Emily Kwong to talk about a team of researchers who were the first to document a pack of orcas attacking a blue whale. Their work shows that killer whales, while stars in marine parks and movies, are also the ocean's top-- and often vicious-- predators. Humans' complex relationship with them may say more about humans than about the orcas. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Orcas: Apex Predators Or Marine Park Stars?
March 01, 2022 12:46 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBNPR science correspondent Lauren Sommer joins Short Wave host Emily Kwong to talk about a team of researchers who were the first to document a pack of orcas attacking a blue whale. Their work shows that killer whales, while stars in marine parks and movies, are also the ocean's top-- and often vicious-- predators. Humans' complex relationship with them may say more about humans than about the orcas.
What Led To The Massive Volcanic Eruption In Tonga
February 28, 2022 05:10 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBScientists are piecing together what led up to a massive volcanic eruption in Tonga last month. NPR science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel joins the show to talk about the likely sequence of events— and what it can teach us about future eruptions like this one. Email the show at [email protected] Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Twinkle, Twinkle, Shooting Star . . .
February 25, 2022 05:15 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBOne of the video games that Short Wave's Scientist in Residence has been playing a lot in the pandemic is Animal Crossing, in which bits of stars fall along the beach. It got Regina thinking — what ARE shooting stars? For answers on all things asteroid, meteoroid and comet, she turns to planetary scientist Melissa Rice. Haven't had any luck Googling to learning more about a cool phenomenon? Shoot us an email [email protected], and we'll dig up some answers. Learn more about sponsor messa...
Twinkle, Twinkle, Shooting Star . . .
February 25, 2022 05:15 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBOne of the video games that Short Wave's Scientist in Residence has been playing a lot in the pandemic is Animal Crossing, in which bits of stars fall along the beach. It got Regina thinking — what ARE shooting stars? For answers on all things asteroid, meteoroid and comet, she turns to planetary scientist Melissa Rice. Haven't had any luck Googling to learning more about a cool phenomenon? Shoot us an email [email protected], and we'll dig up some answers.
Schedule Those Doctor's Appointments!
February 24, 2022 05:15 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBThe pandemic is at a turning point. Hospitalizations in this country are down. Deaths are starting to decline. Some of the states that have had the strictest COVID restrictions are starting to dial back. With fewer cases, and more tools to manage COVID, we can start putting more focus on other diseases again. Doctors are encouraging patients to get the checkups they've been holding off on. NPR science correspondent Allison Aubrey talks about the future of masking, virus detection and routin...
Do You See What I See?
February 23, 2022 05:44 - 13 minutes - 12 MBEveryone sees the world differently. Exactly which colors you see and which of your eyes is doing more work than the other as you read this text is different for everyone. Also different? Our blind spots – both physical and social. As we continue celebrating Black History Month, today we're featuring Exploratorium Staff Physicist Educator Desiré Whitmore. She shines a light on human eyesight – how it affects perception and how understanding another person's view of the world can offer us a fu...
Vacuuming DNA Out Of The Air
February 22, 2022 05:10 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBA few years ago, ecologist Elizabeth Clare had an idea--what if she could study rare or endangered animals in the wild without ever having to see or capture them? What if she could learn about them by only pulling data out of thin air? It turns out, the air's not so thin. There are bits of DNA floating around us, and Elizabeth figured out how to collect it. She talks to guest host Lauren Sommer about testing her collection method in a zoo, how another science team simultaneous came up with an...
The Good and the Bad of TV Forensics
February 18, 2022 05:52 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBRaychelle Burks is a forensic chemist and an associate professor at American University. She's also a big fan of murder mysteries. Today, we talk pop culture forensics with Raychelle and what signs to look for to know whether or not a tv crime show is getting the science right. (ENCORE) What else bothers you about TV accuracy? E-mail the show at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
How Women Of Color Created Community In The Shark Sciences
February 17, 2022 09:51 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBAs a kid, Jasmin Graham was endlessly curious about the ocean. That eventually led her to a career in marine science studying sharks and rays. But until relatively recently, she had never met another Black woman in her field. That all changed in 2020 when she connected with a group of Black women studying sharks through the Twitter hashtag #BlackInNature. Finding a community was so powerful that the women decided to start a group. On today's show, Jasmin talks with host Maddie Sofia about...
How Many Senses Do We Really Have?
February 16, 2022 05:43 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBYou're likely familiar with touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing - but there are actually more than five senses. Emily Kwong speaks to neurobiologist André White, assistant professor at Mount Holyoke College, about the beautiful, intricate system that carries information from the outside world in. (ENCORE) Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Tracing A Fraught And Amazing History Of American Horticulture
February 15, 2022 05:15 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBWhen Abra Lee became the landscape manager at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, she sought some advice about how to best do the job. The answer: study the history of gardening. That led to her uncovering how Black involvement in horticulture in the U.S. bursts with incredible stories and profound expertise, intertwined with a tragic past. She's now teaching these stories and working on a book, Conquer the Soil: Black America and the Untold Stories of Our Country's Gardeners, F...
How to Talk About Hair Like a Scientist
February 14, 2022 12:19 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBHumans have scalp hair. But why is human scalp hair so varied? Biological anthropologist Tina Lasisi wanted to find out. And while completing her PhD at Penn State University, she developed a better system for describing hair — rooted in actual science. (Encore) To hear more from Tina, check out these webinars: Why Care About Hair (https://bit.ly/3liJZ96) and How Hair Reveals the Futility of Race Categories (https://s.si.edu/3Dik6g8). And to dive deep into Tina's research, we recommend her p...