Épisodes

  • The Secrets Everyday Rocks Keep

    The Secrets Everyday Rocks Keep
    Nov 4 2025
    Why does the New York City skyline look the way it does? In part, because of what happened there 500 million years ago, says geologist Anjana Khatwa, author of the new book Whispers of Rocks. In it, she traces how geology has had profound effects on human life, from magnetism of the ocean floor to voter trends in the Southern U.S.


    Interested in more geology episodes? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.


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    13 min
  • Elections: A Big Math Problem

    Elections: A Big Math Problem
    Nov 3 2025
    Ahead of Election Day tomorrow, millions of ballots are being cast in statewide, local and special elections. So, today, we're revisiting an episode asking: What would happen if the rules of our electoral system were changed? Producer Hannah Chinn reported on that very question, and today, with host Emily Kwong, they dive into three voting methods that are representative of alternative voting systems. They look at where these systems have been implemented, how they work and what they may mean for future elections.

    Want to hear more about how math could change our lives? Email us at shortwave@npr.org and we might cover your idea on a future episode!

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    16 min
  • This Week In Science: Spiders, TV Pixels And Storytelling

    This Week In Science: Spiders, TV Pixels And Storytelling
    Oct 31 2025
    Happy Halloween, Short Wavers! In today’s news round-up, we’ve got only treats. Hosts Regina Barber and Emily Kwong fill in NPR’s Ailsa Chang on a debate in spider web architecture, how the details shared in storytelling affect how you form memories and why more pixels may not translate to a better TV viewing experience.


    Have a science question? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.


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    11 min
  • Like Being Scared? Here’s Why

    Like Being Scared? Here’s Why
    Oct 29 2025
    Like haunted houses? Scientists do! That’s because they’re an excellent place to study how humans respond to – and even actively seek out – fear. In an immersive threat setting, as opposed to a carefully controlled lab, researchers can learn a lot about what scares people, why and how additional factors (like the presence of friends) might affect our experiences.

    So what have they learned? What determines a good scare versus a bad one? And what’s the evolutionary reason for all of this, anyway? In today’s episode, producer Hannah Chinn heads to the haunted house in search of answers.


    Have a seasonal science question you want us to investigate on the next Nature Quest? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.


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    14 min
  • Nature Quest: Rebuild Or Relocate Post-Disaster?

    Nature Quest: Rebuild Or Relocate Post-Disaster?
    Oct 28 2025
    In the face of floods, wildfires and other natural disasters, when should a community relocate to avoid potential harm? Listener Molly Magid asks that very question. Molly wanted to know how other communities have chosen the path of “managed retreat.” That’s the purposeful and coordinated movement of people and assets out of harm’s way. In today’s episode, Short Wave's Emily Kwong and Hannah Chinn explore cases from New York to Illinois and Alaska to see how successful relocation happens — and what stops it.

    Have an environment-based question you want us to investigate on the next Nature Quest? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.

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    14 min
  • What Works – And Doesn’t – For Hair Loss?

    What Works – And Doesn’t – For Hair Loss?
    Oct 27 2025
    People may think of hair loss as a guy thing. But by some estimates, half of all women experience hair loss in their lifetime. And when your social media algorithm gets a whiff? Good. Luck. There are some solutions out there based in science, but not every remedy works for every person — or every type of hair loss. (Yes, there are different types. And the type you have matters!) So today, pharmaceuticals correspondent Sydney Lupkin guest hosts the show to talk about causes of hair loss and how to figure out which treatments may be best for you.


    Interested in more science behind your health? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.


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    12 min
  • Parasites Have Haunted Us For Millions Of Years

    Parasites Have Haunted Us For Millions Of Years
    Oct 24 2025
    Parasites have roamed the Earth for a long time. They were here before the dinosaurs: The oldest fossils are more than 500 million years old. Today on the show, Regina G. Barber speaks with paleontologists Karma Nanglu and Danielle de Carle about a mysterious fossil called the “Riddler,” and the oldest-ever leech fossil. They share stories of the enduring power of parasitism through the ages and why the clues to prehistoric mysteries may be tucked in a basement.


    Interested in more science behind rare fossils? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.


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    15 min
  • Migrating Birds Have a Big, Clear Problem

    Migrating Birds Have a Big, Clear Problem
    Oct 22 2025
    Around this time of year, every night, a quiet exodus is occurring. Hundreds of millions of birds are migrating thousands of miles south for the winter. One of the biggest dangers for these tiny travelers? Glass.

    Researchers estimate that every year in the U. S., collisions with glass windows take out at least a billion birds. Even if the birds initially fly away, these collisions can cause concussions, broken bones, and other injuries; most victims don’t survive.

    After much reporting, NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce has found … it doesn’t have to be this way. Scientists and researchers have studied how to stop collisions from happening, and examples around the country indicate that even little solutions can make a big difference.

    Interested in more seasonal animal science? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.

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    15 min