Short Wave

By: NPR
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  • Summary

  • 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
    Copyright 2019-2021 NPR - For Personal Use Only
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Episodes
  • The Best (And Oldest) Tadpole Ever Discovered

    The Best (And Oldest) Tadpole Ever Discovered
    Nov 1 2024
    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!

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    10 mins
  • The Sound Of Fear: Why Do Animals Scream?

    The Sound Of Fear: Why Do Animals Scream?
    Oct 30 2024
    NOTE: This episode contains multiple high-pitched noises (human and other animals) that some listeners might find startling or distressing.

    In this episode, host Regina G. Barber and NPR correspondent Nate Rott dive into the science behind the sound of fear. Along the way, they find out what marmot shrieks, baby cries and horror movie soundtracks have in common — and what all of this tells us about ourselves.

    If you like this episode, check out our episode on fear and horror movies.

    Curious about other science powering the human experience? Email us at shortwave@npr.org and we might cover your topic on a future episode!

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    14 mins
  • Embracing Death: Why We Age

    Embracing Death: Why We Age
    Oct 29 2024
    Humans have seen a significant increase in life expectancy over the past 200 years — but not in overall lifespan. Nobody on record has lived past 122 years. So, for this early Halloween episode, host Regina G. Barber asks: Why do we age and why do we die? Microbiologist Venki Ramakrishnan explains some of the mechanisms inside of our bodies that contribute to our decay — and tells us if it's possible to intervene in the process.

    Curious about other biology news? Email us at shortwave@npr.org and we might cover your topic on a future episode!

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    16 mins

Featured Article: Go Beyond the Lab with the Best Science Podcasts for Curious Listeners


Our picks for the best science podcasts run the gamut from general scientific trivia to earth science, outer space, food, plants, the human body, and much more. They're all accessible—any listener can learn about scientific history, breaking science news, and visions for the future from these shows, which often feature interviews with a variety of interesting experts who provide valuable insight, perspective, context, and clarity.

Featured Article Go Beyond the Lab with the Best Science Podcasts for Curious Listeners

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So Special

First time I am listening and definitely won’t be the last. This podcast is a gem not to be missed. Thanks for the creativity!

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