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NPR · Science

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

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A solution for California's water woes

19 May 2026
14m
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What's up with your nightmares?

18 May 2026
14m
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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...

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A chemical found in fish could help reinvent your sunscreen

15 May 2026
10m
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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...

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

13 May 2026
12m
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Why Swedish scientists gave salmon cocaine

12 May 2026
10m
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Without this pill, lots of people would be dead

11 May 2026
14m
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Hantavirus: the risks, the science and what you need to know

08 May 2026
12m
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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...

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How science is taking tripping mainstream

06 May 2026
12m
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This medical condition stumped doctors for years

05 May 2026
14m
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The secret behind clownfish stripes and more fishy fascinations

04 May 2026
12m
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Coffee is complex. Can science standardize it for the better?

01 May 2026
10m
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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 ...

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NASA is practicing moonwalks. When are we going back?

29 Apr 2026
9m
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Set up solar, or save a tree? It’s complicated

28 Apr 2026
12m
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The mystery that led this family to get their stomachs removed

27 Apr 2026
13m
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Why a chimp 'civil war' shows how societies collapse

24 Apr 2026
13m
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Where did our moon come from?

22 Apr 2026
13m
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Eating disorder recovery in a diet culture world

21 Apr 2026
13m
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These voicemails save lives

20 Apr 2026
13m
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The psychology behind why you dread small talk

17 Apr 2026
9m
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A new approach to brain health, one neuron at a time

15 Apr 2026
13m
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