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.
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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
Short Wave
From 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
Most Recent Episodes
Aboard the International Space Station, astronauts cut their hair using a pair of electrical sheers connected to a vacuum. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio says, "It's not a pretty haircut, for sure." Getty Images hide caption
Matter and its weird, opposite antimatter annihilate each other "in a blaze of glory," says Jessica Esquivel, an experimental particle physicist at Fermilab. PeteDraper/Getty Images hide caption
Ghost particles are blasting through you. Can they solve an antimatter mystery?
Ghost particles are blasting through you. Can they solve an antimatter mystery?
It's Short Wave's 5th birthday! To celebrate, we answer our 5-year-old listeners' science questions. NickS/Getty Images hide caption
It's Short Wave's 5th birthday! Here are science questions 5-year-olds asked us
It's Short Wave's 5th birthday! Here are science questions 5-year-olds asked us
Tuesday, SpaceX's rocket Starship lifted off from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas for its sixth test flight. Eric Gay/AP hide caption
Coho salmon spawn in freshwater, strike off for the open seas, trek back to the place of their birth – but researchers noticed that over the years, some would die before they could spawn. Arctic-Images/Getty Images hide caption
Why are so many Coho salmon dying? The answer might be in your tires
Why are so many Coho salmon dying? The answer might be in your tires
Traveling across multiple time zones can cause jet lag, a temporary sleep problem that happens when the body's circadian rhythm hasn't caught up to the destination time zone. Simon Marcus Taplin hide caption
Here's the science of jet lag — and how to avoid it during the holidays
Here's the science of jet lag — and how to avoid it during the holidays
A 2022 study from the Pew Research Center found that a growing number of Republicans and Democrats view the other party as dishonest, immoral and close-minded. Jackie Lay/NPR hide caption
Here are science-backed tips on how to navigate holiday arguments
Here are science-backed tips on how to navigate holiday arguments
The mysterious Bathydevius caudactylus was observed by MBARI's remotely operated vehicle Tiburon in the outer Monterey Canyon off the coast of California, at a depth of approximately 1,900 meters. 2002 MBARI hide caption
Scientists unveil decades-long research about the deep-diving 'mystery mollusc'
Scientists unveil decades-long research about the deep-diving 'mystery mollusc'
Artistic renditions of a future Mars settlement often feature structures above ground, as seen above. But after extensive research, authors Kelly and Zach Weinersmith found that any potential settlement would have to be below ground. janiecbros/Getty Images hide caption