Short Wave
1,140 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 13 hours 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
Itchy? Here's why
September 25, 2023 04:30 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBEver had an itch you can't scratch? It can be maddening. And even though itch has a purpose — it's one of our bodies' alert systems — it can also go very wrong. Dermatologist Dr. Shawn Kwatra talks to host Regina G. Barber about the science of why and how we get itchy, the mysteries behind chronic itch and how his own experience with eczema, hives and seasonal allergies helps him connect with his patients. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Po...
Can't Match The Beat? Then You Can't Woo A Cockatoo
September 22, 2023 04:30 - 9 minutes - 8.52 MBToday on the show, All Things Considered co-host Mary Louise Kelly joins Regina G. Barber and Maria Godoy for our bi-weekly science roundup. They talk through some of the latest eye-catching science news, including the percussion-intensive mating life of cockatoos, what pink diamonds today tell us about the breakup of the ancient supercontinent Nuna and the latest on the Nipah outbreak in India. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Why Sustainable Seafood Is A Data Problem
September 20, 2023 04:30 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBThe last several decades have taken a toll on the oceans: Some fish populations are collapsing, plastic is an increasing problem and climate change is leading to coral bleaching — as well as a host of other problems. But marine biologist and World Economic Forum programme lead Alfredo Giron says there's room to hope for the seas. He works to create systems that governments and the fishing industry can use to make sure fishing is legal and sustainable so oceans thrive for years to come. In thi...
The James Webb Space Telescope Is Fueling Galactic Controversy
September 18, 2023 04:10 - 13 minutes - 12 MBWe're entering a new era of astrophysics. The James Webb Space Telescope is helping scientists test existing ideas and models of how the universe was created—on a whole new level. This telescope is sending back images of galaxies forming under a billion years after the Big Bang—way earlier than astronomers had previously expected. Not only that, scientists had anticipated that later—but still very early—galaxies would be small, barely formed blobs; instead, the galaxies in these images have s...
The Latest COVID Booster Is Here. Should You Get It?
September 15, 2023 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBThis week, the Food and Drug Administration approved new COVID vaccines this week. It comes at a time when COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise. It's also the first time that the federal government is not paying for the vaccines. Given this confluence of events, we huddled with our colleagues, intrepid health correspondents Maria Godoy and Rob Stein. They gave us the lowdown on the CDC's recommendations for who should get it, how protective the booster is, how to access it...
Animal Crossing: The Destructive Nature of Roads
September 13, 2023 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MB40 million miles of road unite us. They also cause mass destruction for many species. Today, environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb and host Aaron Scott go on a tour of that destruction — the subject of Ben's new book Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet. But don't worry, it's not all grim! Along the way, we learn why fewer insects are hitting our windshields, talk about the breakthrough that is highway overpasses, and how at least one bird has adapted to avoid 18-wh...
Why A Proposed Marine Sanctuary Could Make History
September 11, 2023 04:30 - 10 minutes - 9.86 MBMore than 5,000 square miles of central California coast could soon become the newest national marine sanctuary in the United States. It could also make history as one of the first federal sanctuaries to be initiated by a Native American tribe—the Chumash—and become part of a growing movement to give tribes a say over the lands and waters that were once theirs. NPR climate reporter Lauren Sommer dives into the details with host Regina G. Barber, touching on ocean science, heritage and what's ...
Air Pollution May Be Increasing Superbugs
September 08, 2023 04:10 - 9 minutes - 8.72 MBToday on the show, All Things Considered co-host Ari Shapiro joins Aaron Scott and Regina G. Barber for our science roundup. They talk about how antibiotic resistance may spread through particulate air pollution, magnetically halted black holes and how diversified farms are boosting biodiversity in Costa Rica. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Recurring UTIs: The Infection We Keep Secretly Getting
September 06, 2023 04:10 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBHave frequent, burning pee? Cramping or the urge to pee even though you just went? If you haven't yet, you probably will eventually—along with an estimated 60% of women and 10% of men. That's the large slice of the population that experiences a urinary tract infections (UTI) at least once. Many people avoid talking about these infections, but about one in four women experience recurring UTIs. No matter what they do, the infections come back, again and again. So today on the show, Regina G. Ba...
The Deadly Toll Heat Can Take On Humans
September 04, 2023 04:10 - 10 minutes - 9.91 MBThis year, the hottest July ever was recorded — and parts of the country were hit with heat waves that lasted for weeks. Heat is becoming increasingly lethal as climate change causes more extreme heat. So in today's encore episode, we're exploring heat. NPR climate correspondent Lauren Sommer talks with Short Wave host Regina G. Barber about how the human body copes with extended extreme heat and how today's heat warning systems could better protect the public. If you can, stay cool out there...
Food Allergies Are On The Rise. Are You Affected?
September 01, 2023 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBFood allergies have risen in the United States over the last few decades. Research suggests that 40 years ago the actual prevalence of food allergies was less than 1%. But this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data showing that almost 6% of U.S. adults and children have a food allergy. But this trend is not present in all countries — and what people are allergic to varies globally. Today, we dive into the complex world of food allergies with Dr. Waheeda Sama...
'Speedboat Epidemiology': Eradicating Disease One Person At A Time
August 30, 2023 04:15 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBSmallpox is a deadly virus. At one point, it killed almost 1 in 3 people who had it. Almost 300 million of those deaths were in the 20th century alone. It was extremely painful, highly contagious and many people thought it would be impossible to wipe out—until it was. On May 8, 1980. the 33rd World Health Assembly declared the world free of smallpox. This marked the first—and only—time a human disease was eradicated globally. Epidemiologist and host of the podcast Epidemic: Eradicating Sm...
What Do We Do With Radioactive Wastewater?
August 28, 2023 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBWorkers in Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. Reactors at the plant began melting down after a 2011 earthquake and tsunami that hit the area. To stop the meltdown, plant workers flooded the reactors with water. But even now, when the plant is offline, the reactors need to be cooled. All that water—about 350 million gallons—is being stored on-site in over 1,000 tanks. And now, these tanks are almo...
A Tale Of Two Lunar Landing Attempts
August 25, 2023 04:30 - 9 minutes - 8.9 MBA journey through some of the latest science stories catching our eyes. This time, we consider the Russian and Indian lunar landing attempts, how scientists are reconstructing music from people's brains and lessons from wildfires that contributed to a mass extinction of North American land mammals 13,000 years ago. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
What Made Hilary Such A Weird Storm
August 23, 2023 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBOne name has been on millions of minds — and all over the news — in the past week: Hilary. It's been decades since a storm like this has hit Southern California, so even some scientists were shocked when they heard it was coming. In today's episode, Regina Barber talks to Jill Trepanier, who studies extreme climatic events — like hurricanes and climate change — at Louisiana State University. She tells us how we use science to predict events like this, and what Hilary and future storms may or...
Fixing Our Failing Electric Grid... On A Budget
August 21, 2023 04:10 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBIt's no secret that our electric grid is a flaming hot mess — and in order to reduce emissions, the U.S. needs to get a lot more renewables onto the grid. But there's a problem: Our electric grid is too old and outdated to handle this new technology. In fact, many of the copper wires on transmission lines are using technology from as far back as the early 1900s! Because of this, thousands of wind and solar projects are waiting for years to get online. The Inflation Reduction Act is incentiv...
The Key To Uncovering An Ancient Maya City? Lasers
August 18, 2023 04:10 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBToday we enter into the plot of a summer blockbuster adventure movie. Regina talks to NPR reporter Emily Olson about the recently uncovered ancient Maya city, Ocomtun. The large site, which researchers found using LiDAR technology, even seems to have "suburbs," flipping their expectations about how robust the Maya civilization was — and where it was. Read Emily's full story here. Have a science mystery to share? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podc...
Is Math Real?
August 16, 2023 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBKids ask, "Why?" all the time. Why does 1+1=2? Why do we memorize multiplication tables? Many of us eventually stop asking these questions. But mathematician Dr. Eugenia Cheng says they're key to uncovering the beauty behind math. So today, we celebrate endless curiosity and creativity — the driving forces of mathematicians. Regina G. Barber and Eugenia talk imaginary numbers, how to go beyond simply right and wrong and yes, Eugenia answers the question, "Is math real?" Eugenia's new book Is...
Sperm Can't Really Swim And Other Surprising Pregnancy Facts
August 14, 2023 04:10 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBThere's the birds and the bees. And then there's what happens after. The process that leads to the beginning of pregnancy has a lot more twists and turns than a happenstance meeting. Today on Short Wave, NPR health reporter Selena Simmons-Duffin talks about the science of the very first week of pregnancy. Read Selena's full explainer by clicking this link. Or download and print it here. Have an incredible science story to share? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor mess...
The Fish That Conceal Themselves To Hunt
August 11, 2023 04:10 - 8 minutes - 8.01 MBAll Things Considered host Juana Summers joins Regina G. Barber and Berly McCoy to nerd-out on some of the latest science news buzzing around in our brains. They talk NASA shouting across billions of miles of space to reconnect with Voyager 2, the sneaky tactics trumpetfish use to catch their prey and how climate change is fueling big waves along California's coast. What science story do you want to hear next on Short Wave? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor message ch...
The Science Of Happiness Sounds Great. But Is The Research Solid?
August 09, 2023 04:30 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBHow do we really get happier? In a new review in the journal Nature Human Behavior, researchers Elizabeth Dunn and Dunigan Folk found that many common strategies for increasing our happiness may not be supported by strong evidence. In today's Short Wave episode, Dunn tells co-host Aaron Scott about changes in the way scientists are conducting research, and how these changes led her team to re-examine previous work in the field of psychology. Want to hear Dunn read the paper? Check it out he...
Black Metallurgists, Iron And The Industrial Revolution
August 07, 2023 04:10 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBThe ability to create wrought iron cheaply has been called one of the most significant innovations in the British Industrial Revolution. It's known today as the Cort process, named after British banker Henry Cort, who patented the technique. But Dr. Jenny Bulstrode, a historian at University College London (UCL), found that Cort stole the innovation from 76 Black enslaved ironworkers in Jamaica. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
This Sausage-Shaped Part Of Your Brain Causes Out-Of-Body Experiences
August 04, 2023 04:15 - 10 minutes - 9.56 MBEver felt like you were watching yourself and the rest of the world from outside of your body? Or floating above yourself? Well, scientists finally know what part of your brain is causing that sensation. NPR science correspondent Jon Hamilton shares the tale of the discovery with host Aaron Scott. Plus, they talk about why it may be helpful to occasionally venture outside of your bodily self. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
The Secrecy Of The Horseshoe Crab Blood Harvest
August 02, 2023 04:15 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBFor decades, humans have harvested the blood of horseshoe crabs, which is used to test whether many of our vaccines and medicines are contaminated with harmful bacterial toxins. But the horseshoe crab harvesting industry has few regulations and a lot of secrecy. NPR investigative reporter Chiara Eisner talks to us about expansion of this industry and why synthetic alternatives to the blood aren't being widely used in the United States. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices...
Christmas in July! Celebrate With Hilarious Research
July 31, 2023 13:16 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBWould you survive as a doctor in The Sims 4? What's the appropriate amount of free food to take from a public sample station before it's considered greedy? And how much of an impact do clock towers have on sleep? These are the hard-hitting questions that researchers ask and answer in the Christmas issue of The BMJ, formerly known as the British Medical Journal. What started in 1982 as an experimental roundup of fun research for the holidays has since grown into one of The BMJ's most highly ...
The Jackson Water Crisis Through A Student Journalist's Eyes
July 29, 2023 04:15 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBIn this special episode, we hear from the high school grand prize winner of NPR's Student Podcast Challenge: Georgianna McKenny. A rising senior at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, the 17-year-old rings an alarm on the water crisis in Jackson, through the lens of young people. Emily, who was one of the judges of this year's contest, talks to Georgianna about her winning podcast and their shared love for storytelling. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices...
Peanuts, Pets And Poopy Shores
July 28, 2023 04:15 - 9 minutes - 8.52 MBFor most infants, introducing peanuts early can help prevent allergies later on — but a new study reveals most caregivers don't know that. Why? Plus — some summertime advice for keeping pets cool in the heat, and avoiding beaches contaminated with poop. (A lot of them are.) All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly joins Regina G. Barber and Aaron Scott to discuss those stories in our science news roundup. Have questions about science in the news? Email us at [email protected]. Learn mor...
Why Babies Babble And What It Can Teach Adults About Language
July 26, 2023 04:10 - 10 minutes - 10 MBIn which we metaphorically enter the UCLA Language Acquisistion Lab's recording castle, guided by linguistics researcher Dr. Megha Sundara. NPR science correspondent Sydney Lupkin temporarily takes over the host chair to talk to Sundara about all things baby babble. Along the way, we learn why babies babble, how that babbling can change with exposure to new languages — and if there are any lessons for adults. Questions about other ways we develop? Email us at [email protected] and we might...
The Scorpion Renaissance Has Arrived
July 24, 2023 04:15 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBScorpions: They're found pretty much everywhere, and new species are being identified all the time. Arachnologist Lauren Esposito says there's a lot to love about this oft-misunderstood creature. Most are harmless — they can't even jump — and they play a critical role in their diverse ecosystems as a top invertebrate predator. (encore) Want to hear us talk about other newly identified animal species? We'd love to know! We're at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor message choices: po...
'Oppenheimer' And The Science Of Atomic Bombs
July 21, 2023 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBChristopher Nolan's new film 'Oppenheimer' chronicles the life and legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the first director of Los Alamos National Laboratory and so-called "Father of the Atomic Bomb." The movie does not shy away from science — and neither do we. We talked to current scientists at Los Alamos about the past and present science of nuclear weapons like the atomic bomb. Read more about the Manhattan Project. Want us to cover other historical science or science in pop culture? Email u...
This Cellular Atlas Could Lead To Breakthroughs For Endometriosis Patients
July 19, 2023 04:15 - 11 minutes - 10.1 MBFor people with endometriosis—a mysterious disease where endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus—medical visits can be especially frustrating. It takes some patients years (on average, ten years) to get a diagnosis and treatment options are limited. There are currently no cures. One researcher, Dr. Kate Lawrenson, is trying to change that. She and her team of researchers have created a cellular atlas of the disease and hope this cell-by-cell approach will open up doors for faster diagn...
Meet The Residents Of The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
July 17, 2023 04:10 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBTrash from humans is constantly spilling into the ocean — so much so that there are five gigantic garbage patches in the seas. They hang out at the nexus of the world's ocean currents, changing shape with the waves. The largest is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. These areas were long thought to have been uninhabited, the plastics and fishing gear too harmful to marine life. But researchers have recently uncovered a whole ecosystem of life in this largest collection of trash. Today, with the ...
Sea squirts and 'skeeters in our science news roundup
July 14, 2023 04:10 - 8 minutes - 8.23 MBScience in the headlines: An amazingly preserved sea squirt fossil that could tell us something about human evolution, a new effort to fight malaria by genetically modifying mosquitos and why archeologists are rethinking a discovery about a Copper-age leader. All Things Considered host Adrian Florido nerds-out on those stories with Short Wave host Regina G. Barber and science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel. Have questions about science in the news? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more ab...
This Is Canada's Worst Fire Season In Modern History. It's Not New
July 12, 2023 04:10 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBCanada is having its worst fire season in modern history. The fires have burnt more than 20 million acres, casting hazardous smoke over parts of the U.S. and stretching Canadian firefighting resources thin. Public officials and many news headlines have declared the fires as "unprecedented," and in the modern-sense they are. But NPR climate correspondent Nate Rott has been talking to researchers who focus on the history of wildfire in Canada's boreal forests and they say the situation is not w...
The Only Nuclear-Powered Passenger Ship EVER
July 10, 2023 04:30 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBIn the Port of Baltimore, a ship is docked that hasn't transported passengers for more than 50 years. It's the NS Savannah and it's designated a National Historic Landmark. That's because it was the first—and only—nuclear-powered passenger ship to have ever been built. Science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel tells us about his recent tour of the ship and why it was a symbol of peace in it's time. To see more pictures of Geoff's visit to the NS Savannah, including one from 1962 when the ship wa...
What Geologists Love — And Lament — About Cult Classic 'The Core'
July 07, 2023 04:15 - 13 minutes - 12 MB20 years ago, the cult classic movie 'The Core' was released in theaters. From the start, it's clear that science is more a plot device than anything — but some scientists love it anyway. Today, Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber has a friendly laugh with geologist Jackie Caplan-Auerbach about the creative liberties writers took to make the movie's plot work. P.S. We're biased here, but we don't think you need to have seen the movie to enjoy this episode. This edition of our periodic ...
Tick Check! Meet Your Backyard Bloodsuckers
July 05, 2023 04:15 - 9 minutes - 8.7 MBWe hope you had a restful holiday! Maybe even got outside for some relaxing fresh air. If so, you might've come across cute and not-so-cute critters like ticks. With ticks in mind, we're heading to Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas. Among the trees and trails, researchers like Adela Oliva Chavez search for blacklegged ticks that could carry Lyme disease. She's looking for answers as to why tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease are spreading in some parts of the country and not others. T...
The Chemistry Behind A Perfect Barbeque
July 03, 2023 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBChefs will tell you, cooking is not just an art — it's a science. And the spirit of summer barbecues, NPR science correspondent Sydney Lupkin brings us this piece about how understanding the chemistry of cooking meat can help you perfect your barbeque. It's all about low and slow cooking. This story was originally reported for NPR by Gisele Grayson. Read her reporting. Curious about other science powering the things you love? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor messag...
Why This Gravitational Waves News Is A Big Deal
June 30, 2023 04:10 - 8 minutes - 7.89 MBNew gravitational waves, why orcas might be attacking boats and a new robot prototype inspired by animals: it's all in our latest roundup of science news, with All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro, Regina G. Barber and Geoff Brumfiel. Have questions about science in the news? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
An unexpected forest in the ocean
June 28, 2023 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBSalomé Buglass discovered an unexpected kelp forest while studying underwater mountains in the Galapagos. Kelp—a type of seaweed—usually grows in shallower, cooler areas. So why was an entire kelp forest growing in these deeper, tropical waters? Today on the show, Salomé talks to host Regina G. Barber about what it means, and how it could help in the fight against climate change. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
A Smarter Way To Use Sunscreen
June 26, 2023 15:59 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBSunscreen: we should all be using it, but we might not all be using it the right way. In fact, the type of sunscreen you use may not be nearly as important as using it effectively. With the help of a few expert dermatologists, NPR science correspondent Allison Aubrey cues Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber into six common mistakes to avoid when using sunscreen and how to stay safe in the sun this summer. Have a science fact you can't stop thinking about? Email us at [email protected]! ...
Rethinking The Lab Rat
June 23, 2023 04:10 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBFor generations, scientists have leaned on seven key species, including rats and mice, for research. They're called model organisms and they've been standardized over the year — removing as much individuality as possible. But as research questions become more complicated, some researchers are turning to more niche critters to study. Host Regina Barber talks to reporter Anil Oza about the shift. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
This Satellite Could Help Clean Up The Air
June 21, 2023 04:15 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBIn pockets across the U.S., communities are struggling with polluted air — often in neighborhoods where working class people and people of color live. A new NASA satellite called Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution (TEMPO) could detail just how polluted those pockets are. Today, NPR climate reporters Rebecca Hersher and Seyma Bayram talk to host Emily Kwong about how this new satellite could help communities like Curtis Bay, a Maryland neighborhood where residents have been fighting ...
New Star Trek Season, Same Ol' Sci-Fi
June 19, 2023 04:10 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBSeason 2 of the critically acclaimed Star Trek: Strange New Worlds premiered June 15 (streaming on Paramount+). So today, Short Wave Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber chats with two Trekkie physicists about the science powering the show and why they love the franchise. Astrophysicist Erin Macdonald is the science consultant for Star Trek, and Chanda Prescod-Weinstein is a theoretical physicist and author of the book The Disordered Cosmos. This episode, the trio discusses not only the fe...
A Newly-Discovered Asteroid And What's Beneath The Ice On Enceladus
June 16, 2023 04:10 - 9 minutes - 8.32 MBAll Things Considered host Ari Shapiro returns to nerd-our with Short Wave hosts Emily Kwong and Regina G. Barber on three science headlines from space: a newly-discovered asteroid, a new moon-related discovery and a new study about what spaceflight does to the human body. Have questions about science in the news? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Give Rivers Space: The Simple Flood Risk Fix
June 14, 2023 04:15 - 10 minutes - 9.6 MBWith much of California's massive snowpack yet to melt, downstream communities remain on high alert for flooding. Hundreds of homes were destroyed or damaged during the record-breaking winter, which tested the state's aging flood infrastructure. To prevent flooding, communities often raise levees next to rivers higher and higher. Today, NPR climate correspondent Lauren Sommer talks about a new approach: just giving rivers some space to flow. Got questions about science? Email us at shortwav...
Life Lessons From Supernovae
June 12, 2023 04:10 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBFor many scientists, science isn't something they check in and out of — it permeates their whole lives. That's true for Sarafina El-Badry Nance, an astrophysicist and science communicator. In her new memoir, Starstruck: A Memoir of Astrophysics and Finding Light in the Dark, Sarafina brings the stars down to Earth, rooting her personal journey in the lessons of the stars. This episode, Regina and Sarafina chat supernovae, cancer and what supernovae reveal to us about life. Learn more about s...
How To Stay Safe Amid Wildfire Smoke
June 09, 2023 04:15 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBSmoke from Canadian wildfires is causing poor air quality in parts of the U.S. This smoke can have dangerous health effects because it carries fine particulates known as PM 2.5. With millions of people affected, we thought it would be a good time to turn it over to our friends at NPR's Life Kit podcast. Ever ready with helpful tips, they just released an episode with tips for protecting yourself from wildfire smoke. Stay safe, Short Wavers. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastc...
Behold! The Dulcet Tones Of Cosmic Rays
June 07, 2023 04:15 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBTeppei Katori loves two things: particle physics and music. Naturally, he combined the two. Today on Short Wave, Teppei talks to host Regina G. Barber about how he and his collaborators convert data from cosmic rays—high energy particles from space that are constantly colliding with Earth—into beautiful sights and sounds. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
The Rise Of The Dinosaurs
June 05, 2023 04:15 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBDinosaurs ruled the earth for many millions of years, but only after a mass extinction took out most of their rivals. Just how that happened remains a mystery — sounds like a case for paleoclimatologist Celina Suarez! This encore episode, Suarez walks us through her scientific detective work, with a little help from her trusty sidekick, Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber. Have a science fact you can't stop thinking about? Email us at [email protected]! We'd love to hear from you. Lear...