Short Wave

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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.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

  1. Should Humans Live On Mars?

    1 DAY AGO

    Should Humans Live On Mars?

    As global warming continues and space technology improves, there is more and more talk about the growing possibility of a sci-fi future in which humans become a multiplanetary species. Specifically, that we could live on Mars. Biologist Kelly Weinersmith and cartoonist Zach Weinersmith have spent the last four years researching what this would look like if we did this anytime soon. In their new book A City On Mars, they get into all sorts of questions: How would we have babies in space? How would we have enough food? They join host Regina G. Barber and explain why it might be best to stay on Earth. Kelly and Zach Weinersmith's book A City On Mars is out now. Have another space story you want us to cover on a future episode? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to hear from you! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    14 min
  2. These Drones Could Help Keep Your Lights On

    2 DAYS AGO

    These Drones Could Help Keep Your Lights On

    One in four U.S. households experiences a power outage each year. Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working on technology they hope will help fix electric grids: drones. They're betting that 2-ft. large drones connected to "smart" electric grids are a cost-effective step to a more electrified future. Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave. Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to know — email us at shortwave@npr.org! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    13 min
  3. Eating Breakfast? You Can Thank Fermentation

    3 DAYS AGO

    Eating Breakfast? You Can Thank Fermentation

    In this episode, you're invited to the fermentation party! Join us as we learn about the funk-filled process behind making sauerkraut, sourdough and sour beer. Plus, no fermentation episode is complete without a lil history of our boy, yeast. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    13 min
  4. Picking Up Cosmic Vibrations

    6 DAYS AGO

    Picking Up Cosmic Vibrations

    A pivotal week in Corey Gray's life began with a powwow in Alberta and culminated with a piece of history: The first-ever detection of gravitational waves from the collision of two neutron stars. Corey was on the graveyard shift at LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory in Hanford, Washington, when the historic signal came. This episode, Corey talks about the discovery, the "Gravitational Wave Grass Dance Special" that preceded it and how he got his Blackfoot name. (encore) Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    14 min
  5. A Better Life For Trafficked Turtles

    6 NOV

    A Better Life For Trafficked Turtles

    In North-Central New Jersey, there is a backyard teeming with around 200 turtles. Many of these shelled creatures have been rescued from the smuggling trade and are now being nursed back to health in order to hopefully be returned to the wild. Science reporter Ari Daniel joins host Regina G. Barber to tell the story behind one man's efforts to care for these turtles and to ensure they have a chance at another (better) life. Read more of Ari's reporting. Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to know — email us at shortwave@npr.org! Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    12 min
  6. Elections Are One Big Math Problem

    5 NOV

    Elections Are One Big Math Problem

    It's Election Day in the United States. Across the nation, millions of ballots are being cast. But what would happen if the rules of our electoral system were changed? Certain states are about to find out. This year, several places have alternative voting systems up for consideration on their ballots, and those systems could set an example for voting reform throughout the rest of the country. Short Wave producer Hannah Chinn and host Emily Kwong dive into three voting methods that are representative of those systems: Where they've been implemented, how they work, and what they might mean for elections in the future. What to hear more about the math powering our lives? Email us at shortwave@npr.org and we might cover your idea on a future episode! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    16 min
  7. Did Life Start In Hydrothermal Vents?

    4 NOV

    Did Life Start In Hydrothermal Vents?

    How did life start on Earth? The answer is a big scientific mystery scientists are actively investigating. After talking with many scientists, host Regina G. Barber found that an abundance of water on Earth is most likely key, in some way, to the origin of life — specifically, in either deep sea hydrothermal vents or in tide pools. It's for this reason some scientists are also exploring the potential for life in so-called "water worlds" elsewhere in the solar system, like some of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. This episode, Regina digs into two water-related hypotheses for the origin on life on Earth — and what that might mean for possible alien life. Have another scientific mystery you want us to cover on a future episode? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we might feature your idea on a future episode! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    14 min
  8. The Best (And Oldest) Tadpole Ever Discovered

    1 NOV

    The Best (And Oldest) Tadpole Ever Discovered

    For years, we've been asking, "Which came first: the chicken or the egg?" Maybe what we should have been asking is, "Which came first: the frog or the tadpole?" A new paper in the journal Nature details the oldest known tadpole fossil. Ringing in 20 million years earlier than scientists previously had evidence of, this fossil might get us closer to an answer. Have another scientific discovery you want us to cover on a future episode? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we might feature your idea on a future episode! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    10 min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    NPR
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    1.2K
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019-2021 NPR - For Personal Use Only
  • Show Website
    Short Wave

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