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PODCAST

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. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Short Wave.

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All Episodes

12:07

Want to spend a year living in NASA's Mars simulation?

Short Wave ·

2026/07/31

Have you ever wanted to be an astronaut without risking your life in space? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you. NASA is calling for people with a science background to apply for a simulated mission to the Moon and Mars. Four adults will spend a year isolated in two enclosures meant to simulate both traveling through deep space and living on Mars. Learn whether you fit the profile and what NASA researchers hope to learn from the mission in this episode.Interested in more space news? Email

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13:21

Are extreme wildfires the new normal?

Short Wave ·

2026/07/29

With parts of the U.S, Canada, Spain and France all ablaze with wildfires, you might be wondering: Are wildfires on the rise? If so, know that you mind-melded with the entire Short Wave staff. We had the exact same thought – and then went down some reporting rabbit holes and turned it into a whole episode. And let us just say: The answer is surprisingly complicated! But don’t you worry. We get into all the nuances this episode.Interested in more science behind the headlines? Email us your question

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13:40

A cooler of eggs and a bold plan to save leopard sharks

Short Wave ·

2026/07/28

Leopard sharks have nearly vanished from the waters in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The country is one of the largest shark fishing nations in the world. Now, a first-of-its-kind conservation project is working to bring Indo-Pacific leopard sharks back from the brink of extinction. This international project hatches their eggs and raises shark pups to rewild them into the ocean where they once thrived. Will it be enough?For answers, we talk to freelance journalist Katerina Barton. She takes us

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10:25

Could this nasal spray replace all your vaccines one...

Short Wave ·

2026/07/27

There’s the flu vaccine. The covid shot. The RSV shot… What if all of these—and more—could be combined into one universal vaccine? That’s what immunologist Bali Pulendran is working on in his lab. For this episode in our Tech Camp series, Regina G. Barber talks to him about how far he’s gotten, how far he has to go and why our ancient immune system is the key to it all. Plus they discuss how the vaccine may not be a shot at all—but a needle-free nasal spray. Sources: Mucosal vaccination in mice

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9:33

The problem with modern avocados — and the ancient...

Short Wave ·

2026/07/24

Did you know that when you pick up avocados at the supermarket, make avocado toast at home or order guacamole in your burrito, you’re probably consuming only one genetic type of avocado? Yep, it’s the Hass avocado. Since it originated in California in the 20th century, it’s been grafted onto trees worldwide. And today, it makes up more than 80 percent of commercial avocado production. Its bounty is a double-edged sword: It makes our avocados consistent; it also makes them susceptible to threats like

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12:52

Does the science of peptides live up to the hype?

Short Wave ·

2026/07/22

Synthetic peptides are getting some serious hype, from fitness influencers on your FYP to people seeking new options for chronic conditions. And while the human body already makes peptides, like insulin and the hormone oxytocin, most of the viral synthetic peptides are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Scientists say that raises some big concerns about safety and efficacy. So ahead of this week’s FDA meeting to discuss seven commonly used peptides, we get into the science with health

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10:36

Cyclosporiasis: the science, risks and red flags

Short Wave ·

2026/07/21

What’s small, round and could give you explosive diarrhea? Cyclospora parasites. The diarrheal disease they cause is wreaking havoc on thousands this summer in what is the largest known flare up in the U.S. ever. What’s causing it and what can we do about it? NPR’s Joseph Kim joins host Nate Rott to talk about the outbreak – and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.Read more of Joseph’s reporting on cyclosporiasis here. Interested in more science in the news? Email us your question at

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13:46

Are Trump and AI driving a nuclear power boom?

Short Wave ·

2026/07/20

A race started by President Trump is leading to the rapid construction of new, experimental nuclear reactors. If they work, they could power data centers for artificial intelligence. But critics worry that the breakneck pace is compromising safety and public trust. NPR correspondent Geoff Brumfiel talks about the potential risks and benefits, and whether this may lead to a new nuclear age.Read more of Geoff’s coverage of the U.S.’s new nuclear reactors here.If you like this episode, check out our

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13:21

Why did designing the World Cup pitches take eight...

Short Wave ·

2026/07/17

Yamal and Messi aren’t the only stars of the World Cup finals. If you’ve been watching any of the games, you’ve probably stared directly at a huge, unsung hero: the turf. Turf grass science is a real thing, and it’s John Sorochan’s area of expertise. He’s a scientist at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and he’s spent the last eight years preparing for the grass pitch the players are scoring on. John had the daunting task of figuring out how to create consistency and uniformity across all

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13:52

Our favorite brains, including Einstein's stolen one

Short Wave ·

2026/07/15

At Short Wave, we love a good brain. Which is why we’ve had a lot of conversations over the years with NPR’s neuroscience reporter, Jon Hamilton. Jon’s been writing about brains for over 15 years, from tiny brain organoids that grow in a dish, to fruit fly brains, mouse brains and some really memorable human brains. But Jon is retiring, so today on the show he joins us to share the most memorable brains he’s come across in the past couple of decades. Interested in more brain science? Email us your

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13:18

What's this super-aging butterfly’s longevity secret?

Short Wave ·

2026/07/14

What if there were a great ape species that could live over 1,000 years? That’s basically Heliconius in the butterfly world. The insects live around 25 times longer than their butterfly cousins, and scientists think they have one clue as to why: pollen. But as Katie Wu, a science writer at The Atlantic, explains, that’s not the whole story. She and host Nate Rott also talk about how bats sip from the fountain of youth – and what it all may mean for humans.Read Katie's full story here.If you liked

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13:06

How should we decide who, or what, is conscious?

Short Wave ·

2026/07/13

In the age of AI, what differentiates humans from robots? What makes humans … human? To find answers, many people are studying consciousness: our capacity for experience. But doctors and researchers still have a long way to go when it comes to finding new ways to detect consciousness in humans — much less computer software. That gets especially tricky when people are unable to use their words or bodies to tell others whether or not they’re conscious, like in vegetative states. Today on Short Wave,

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9:28

Plot twist: We're probably way undercounting insects...

Short Wave ·

2026/07/10

Maybe you’ve wondered about it late at night as a mosquito buzzes in your ear. Or when you kick over a rock and watch dozens of little critters crawl away: How many types of insects are there in the world? Scientists have been interested in answering this question for years. A new study — based on a census of tiny and, frankly terrifying, parasitoid wasps — suggests there’s way more than previously thought. Like, millions more that are just waiting to be discovered. Interested in more bug science

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11:27

NASA's race against time to rescue a falling satellite

Short Wave ·

2026/07/08

A valuable NASA satellite observatory is falling to Earth faster than scientists expected. It’s called the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, or “Swift” for short, and it can respond to celestial events much faster than its sky-gazing counterparts. To save Swift and test out a first-of-its-kind technology, NASA partnered with an Arizona-based startup to launch a refrigerator-sized robot, aptly named Link, into lower Earth orbit. That’s on its way right now to meet up with Swift to give it a

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11:23

Could this anti-aging dog pill lead to one for you too?

Short Wave ·

2026/07/07

Every dog lover’s greatest fear is inevitably losing their pet to time. We want our furry pals to stick around as long as they can. That wish may soon become reality with a new pill from a company called Loyal. It aims to extend the lives–and health–of dogs. This new drug also serves as a pitstop on a much bigger quest: to eventually lengthen human lives.Interested in more science about your pets? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25

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14:05

Sky Uber? Air taxis could be here soon

Short Wave ·

2026/07/06

Taking an air taxi to the airport may become as simple as ordering a ride share today. In our first episode in our summer series Tech Camp, we explore how a futuristic vehicle that transforms from helicopter to propeller plane is already taking flight in New York and San Francisco. This new kind of commuting might be here sooner than you think: A law just went into effect to build infrastructure for them in places like airports. Short Wave host Regina Barber speaks with the startup Joby and Georgia

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13:19

This July 4th, are you a thrill- or chill-seeker?

Short Wave ·

2026/07/03

Independence Day is approaching!Imagine if someone has procured illegal fireworks from a couple of states over. Are you:1. first in line to light them?2. content to watch while others set them off?3. going to find a fire extinguisher — just in case — while loudly condemning the activity?Ken Carter, a psychologist at Oxford College of Emory University, says everyone has a different level of sensation-seeking. This episode, we get into the factors at play, like people's brain chemistry, when deciding

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14:01

Is setting your trash on fire a good idea?

Short Wave ·

2026/07/01

The U.S. generates 292 million tons of trash each year – and that trash has to go somewhere. Sometimes, that’s to an incinerator, where it’s burned and turned into electricity. Proponents of incineration applaud the ability to generate energy from waste and divert garbage from landfills. Opponents worry about the potential health risks, especially to minoritized communities. Today on the show, we explore the good and the bad of waste-to-energy facilities – and even get to see one up

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13:14

Ticks are a growing problem, no matter where you live

Short Wave ·

2026/06/30

In the grand scheme of things, Lyme disease is a fairly new scientific discovery. It was first traced back to ticks in the late 70s and early 80s. The tick-borne illness can cause a rash, fever, pain, neurological complications, and even facial paralysis. It’s spread by only two of the nearly 50 species of ticks in the United States. Historically, most Lyme cases were limited to a small region, including the Great Lakes area and northeastern US. But thanks to changing temperatures, animal migration

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13:46

Is working from home actually good for you?

Short Wave ·

2026/06/29

For many, being able to work from home is a boon: saving time on your commute, working in your sweatpants, throwing in a load of laundry before a meeting. People say it makes them happier. But a new study suggests that, despite all the advantages, working from home isn’t creating a happier workforce. It’s making people more socially isolated. We get into all the details with NPR mental health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee.Interested in more everyday science? Email us your question at

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1,572 results

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