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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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterdayconversational9 min4-min read
Eating alone may be secretly spiking your blood sugar
This episode of Shortwave explores three recent scientific findings: communal eating may improve blood sugar regulation, bird vocal loudness varies dramatically across species with some rivaling jackhammers, and asteroid Bennu samples suggest it formed near the solar system’s water ice line—potentially shedding light on how water and organic materials reached early Earth.
- 3 days agonarrative13 min3-min read
How much of Earth's life is still undiscovered?
Scientists are discovering around 16,000 new species annually, revealing Earth as a vastly underexplored planet teeming with life, while ambitious projects like the Earth Biogenome Project aim to sequence the genomes of all known eukaryotic life to preserve biodiversity and unlock solutions to human challenges.
- 4 days agonarrative14 min4-min read
What social media gets wrong about inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a legitimate health concern tied to serious diseases, but social media hype often misrepresents it, leading to unnecessary anxiety. The episode clarifies the science and emphasizes evidence-based lifestyle choices over fad remedies.
- 5 days agonarrative13 min3-min read
A fall mystery: why do only certain leaves turn red?
The episode explores the scientific mystery behind why some autumn leaves turn red, a phenomenon that remains unresolved despite decades of research. While red pigments appear to serve protective functions, experts debate whether their purpose is to shield trees from light damage or to deter insects.
- 1 weeks agonarrative12 min4-min read
'Super' El Niño is coming. What should you expect?
A new scientific study using coral records from the Galapagos reveals that El Niño events have grown 36% more intense in the past 50 years compared to pre-industrial times, strongly correlating with rising global temperatures. This suggests a human fingerprint on El Niño’s increasing strength, marking a significant shift in our understanding of climate change’s role in natural climate variability.
- 1 weeks agonarrative14 min4-min read
Vaccinated or not, we’re on the brink of a measles epidemic
The current resurgence of measles in the U.S. threatens the country's hard-won elimination status, driven by declining vaccination rates and eroded public trust. Michael Mina, a leading immunologist and epidemiologist, explains how measles doesn't just cause fever and rash—it inflicts long-term damage through 'immune amnesia,' wiping out up to 70% of a person’s immune memory and increasing vulnerability to other infections for years.
- 1 weeks agonarrative12 min5-min read
The science of self-worth (and how to boost yours)
This episode of NPR's Shortwave explores the science of self-worth through a conversation between Life Kit host Mariel Sagada and psychologist Marisa Franco, author of the book Worth. It reveals how low self-esteem physically and emotionally distorts our experience of reality, especially in response to positive events, and introduces memory reconsolidation as a powerful tool for healing.
- 2 weeks agoconversational10 min4-min read
Why we should all be 'bookmaxxing'
This episode of NPR's Shortwave explores the cognitive and emotional benefits of recreational reading, the potential threat of solar super flares, and a rare discovery of adult T. rex footprints—revealing new insights into dinosaur behavior and physiology. The conversation underscores how simple acts like reading can protect brain health, while also marveling at scientific discoveries that reshape our understanding of nature and history.
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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?
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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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