

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.
Episodes


What's up with your nightmares?
Dreams and nightmares serve as critical mechanisms for emotional regulation, helping the brain process daily stressors and trauma. Sleep unfolds in four distinct stages, with REM sleep facilitating the most vivid emotional experiences. While nightmares often manifest as recurring scripts reflecting past adversity, they...

A chemical found in fish could help reinvent your sunscreen
Biological innovation and artistic engagement offer promising pathways for health and sustainability. Researchers are engineering E. coli to produce gadusol, a UV-absorbing molecule found in fish and coral, potentially revolutionizing sunscreen by providing effective protection without the pasty residue of current opti...

Should you be fibermaxxing? Here's what the science says

Why Swedish scientists gave salmon cocaine

Without this pill, lots of people would be dead

Hantavirus: the risks, the science and what you need to know
A recent hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic has prompted urgent public health intervention, as the virus has caused multiple deaths and severe respiratory illness. Unlike typical cases linked to rural rodent exposure, this incident involves the Andes strain, which is uniquely capable of human-to...

How science is taking tripping mainstream

This medical condition stumped doctors for years

The secret behind clownfish stripes and more fishy fascinations

Coffee is complex. Can science standardize it for the better?
Coffee flavor profiles, the psychology of dreaming, and the metallic composition of scorpion weaponry represent the latest scientific advancements. Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed an electrochemical method to quantify coffee roast levels and acidity, potentially standardizing flavor descriptions ...

NASA is practicing moonwalks. When are we going back?

Set up solar, or save a tree? It’s complicated

The mystery that led this family to get their stomachs removed

Why a chimp 'civil war' shows how societies collapse

Where did our moon come from?

Eating disorder recovery in a diet culture world

These voicemails save lives

The psychology behind why you dread small talk

A new approach to brain health, one neuron at a time
Follow this podcast in Podwise
Sign in to get AI summaries, transcripts and mind maps for any episode, including new ones.
