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

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Episodes (500)

Can planting more trees make allergies worse?

Oct 21, 2026

Short Wave

Never miss an episode of Short Wave

Episodes (500)

Can planting more trees make allergies worse?

What are the odds we're not alone in the universe?

What the world's leading researchers think about saunas

The terrifying physics of prehistoric sea monsters

What's at stake if we can't regrow our forests

What Flock cameras really see – and how

The sound of fear: Why so many animals scream

One of the toughest parts of ADHD is left out of the diagnosis

What's missing from the lethal injection conversation

Science-backed guidance for healthy screen time

The genetic secret helping bats survive a deadly epidemic

Eating alone may be secretly spiking your blood sugar

How much of Earth's life is still undiscovered?

What social media gets wrong about inflammation

A fall mystery: why do only certain leaves turn red?

'Super' El Niño is coming. What should you expect?

Vaccinated or not, we’re on the brink of a measles epidemic

The science of self-worth (and how to boost yours)

Why we should all be 'bookmaxxing'

The latest on AI panic — and whether it's justified

When batteries get a facelift, so does renewable energy

Why you'll probably be misdiagnosed in your lifetime

Should race affect BMI guidelines? Doctors are split

How scientists discovered that animals are doctors, too

Lindsay Clancy and postpartum psychosis

How hurricanes triggered lizard evolution

When is your brain actually 'adult'?

A new investigation shows heat is even deadlier than we thought

The science of emotional regulation — and how to do it better

What can seashells teach us about the health of our oceans?

Football is here – and so is a new study on CTE

NASA's newest telescope has a top secret past

How your metabolism could alter your mental health

AI-made viruses could be the future of medicine

How much has the U.S.’s wildlife changed since Lewis and Clark?

Why scientists are stoked about mysterious black hole stars

More men are taking testosterone. What gives?

A survivor's view from inside a tornado

Could future wars be fought by AI?

Inside Colombia's big quake – and why more could be coming

How to see the year's best meteor shower tonight

Can you spot AI-written stories? Listen and find out

How to see this week's eclipse (and the next big one)

Mirror cells could threaten life on Earth. Why are we building them?

The Midnight Rebellion: Almost Midnight

The red flags that may be hiding in your poop

Shooting stars are just pea-sized rocks... and other space wonders

More food and money, less disease: Senegal's surprising eco-experiment

The new era of AI-powered cybercrime

Want to spend a year living in NASA's Mars simulation?

Are extreme wildfires the new normal?

A cooler of eggs and a bold plan to save leopard sharks

Could this nasal spray replace all your vaccines one day?

The problem with modern avocados — and the ancient solution

Does the science of peptides live up to the hype?

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Are Trump and AI driving a nuclear power boom?

Why did designing the World Cup pitches take eight years?

Our favorite brains, including Einstein's stolen one

What's this super-aging butterfly’s longevity secret?

How should we decide who, or what, is conscious?

Plot twist: We're probably way undercounting insects on Earth

NASA's race against time to rescue a falling satellite

Could this anti-aging dog pill lead to one for you too?

Sky Uber? Air taxis could be here soon.

This July 4th, are you a thrill- or chill-seeker?

Is setting your trash on fire a good idea?

Ticks are a growing problem, no matter where you live

Is working from home actually good for you?

Salty Clouds aren’t the only strange thing about this object in space

Did Trump's foreign aid cuts fuel the Ebola outbreak?

What can a tornado teach us about kindness?

Inside the mysterious minds of horses

Why scientists launched two little robots to the moon

Is sewage the future of green aviation?

Could air pollution make your memory worse?

Inside the lab taste-testing the world's chocolate