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Short Wave: Daily Summaries Delivered
by 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.
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- Todaynarrative10 min4-min read
Could air pollution make your memory worse?
This episode of NPR's Shortwave explores three distinct scientific stories: how air pollution may accelerate memory decline, the discovery of the world’s deepest whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean, and how ancient squirrel droppings are revealing lost ecosystems from the Pleistocene. Each story highlights how small, overlooked details can unlock major insights into human health, deep-sea ecology, and Earth’s history.
- Yesterdaynarrative10 min3-min read
Inside the lab taste-testing the world's chocolate
A new standardized method for evaluating cacao quality is helping small farmers gain recognition and fairer compensation, while deepening global appreciation for chocolate’s diverse flavors. This scientific and cultural shift offers hope amid climate and economic challenges facing cacao production.
- 4 days ago9 min
Why your sunscreen is finally getting a major upgrade
Until this week, the United States hadn’t approved a new sunscreen ingredient in over 20 years. That changed Tuesday, when the FDA approved a new chemical for U.S. sunscreens. It’s called bemotrizinol, and NPR science correspondent Maria Godoy joins us to tell us all about it — including the soonest it’s expected to hit shelves.Interested in more science news? Email us your question 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.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
- 6 days ago11 min
How a single flu shot could protect you for decades
Every year, tens of millions of people in the U.S. get the flu vaccine. That’s because the virus changes year-to-year and protection only lasts around six months. Adolfo Garcia-Sastre wants to change that. He’s one scientist working on a universal flu vaccine that could provide decades of protection against all flu illnesses – but only if his team can find the resources that disappeared when U.S. funding dipped.If you liked this episode, listen to our episode on a vaccine trial that could end HIV.Interested in more medical innovations? Email us your question 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.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
- 1 weeks agonarrative14 min4-min read
Your DNA is changing all the time. Here’s why
The episode explores the surprising reality that genetic mutations are not rare or solely harmful, but constant, ordinary, and sometimes beneficial occurrences within the human body. Science journalist Roxanne Khamsi joins host Emily Kwong to reframe mutations as a dynamic, ongoing process shaping health, identity, and even natural self-repair.
- 1 weeks agonarrative14 min4-min read
Inner monologues are still a mystery
Not everyone experiences an inner monologue, and scientists are using innovative methods like beeping devices and brain scans to study the hidden diversity of inner experience. This episode explores how our minds work internally, revealing that inner speech isn’t universal and may stem from childhood conversations.
- 1 weeks agonarrative13 min4-min read
Prepare to be baffled by what we don't know about eels
The European eel remains one of nature’s most enduring mysteries: despite centuries of study, scientists have yet to observe them spawning in the wild. The episode explores how modern research is closing in on their elusive reproductive behavior in the Sargasso Sea, a quest that could unlock conservation strategies and sustainable aquaculture.
- 1 weeks agoroundtable9 min3-min read
This common garden plant summons wasps as bodyguards
Plants like beans have evolved sophisticated chemical defenses, such as releasing signals to attract wasp bodyguards when attacked by caterpillars. In neuroscience, mice learn faster with larger, less frequent rewards—likely due to sustained dopamine bursts—offering clues about brain engagement. Meanwhile, mosquitoes may be capable of learning to associate the smell of DEET with food, raising concerns about the long-term effectiveness of this widely used repellent, though real-world risk remains low for now.
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About 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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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Short Wave as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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How often does Short Wave release new episodes?
Short Wave publishes every few days. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
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Short Wave covers topics including Science, News, Daily News. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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