Short Wave

NPR's Short Wave explores the escalating AI safety crisis, triggered by OpenAI agents hacking Hugging Face and a viral resignation by Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon.

Host Cooper explores the rapid rise of grid-scale battery storage, visiting a California solar facility to see how lithium-ion batteries now power thousands of homes.

This episode explores the prevalence of diagnostic errors, noting that nearly everyone experiences one in their lifetime.

Host Regina Barber and guest Katie Wu explore the flawed origins of BMI and its failure to account for diverse body compositions.

This episode explores the growing scientific evidence that animals, from chimpanzees to monarch butterflies, use plants and other substances to treat illness.

This episode of Short Wave explores postpartum psychosis through the lens of the Lindsay Clancy trial, distinguishing the severe condition from common postpartum depression.

Hosts Nate and Gina welcome guest Elsa Chang for a science news roundup covering three key topics.

A new study from Duncan’s lab reveals four distinct turning points in human brain development, suggesting adolescence lasts until age 32.

NPR’s Alejandra Borbon reveals that the US undercounts heat-related deaths by five times, estimating 9,000 annual fatalities instead of the official 1,700.

Mark Brackett, director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, discusses his RULER framework for managing emotions.

Host Emily Kwong interviews author Cynthia Barnett about her book "The Sound of the Sea," exploring seashells as vital scientific records rather than mere beach debris.

This episode examines a new study revealing that at least 25% of deceased former NFL players had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

This episode explores the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, originally designed as a spy satellite before NASA repurposed it for astronomy.

NPR’s Shortwave explores metabolic psychiatry with Dr.

NPR’s Shortwave explores how scientists used AI to design new viruses that infect bacteria, a breakthrough published in Science.

To mark the US bicentennial, the Smithsonian launched a project resurveying the Lewis and Clark Trail to compare historical wildlife data with modern observations.

Hosts Nate and Gina welcome Elsa Chang to discuss a mysterious "black hole star" detected by the James Webb Telescope, which may explain supermassive black hole origins.

NPR’s Shortwave examines the cultural surge in testosterone therapy, featuring health correspondent Will Stone.

Atmospheric scientist Perry Sampson recounts a harrowing experience where he and his students were trapped inside a tornado while studying supercell thunderstorms.

This Short Wave episode examines the integration of AI into military decision-making, featuring insights from experts like retired Lt.

Host Regina Barber interviews seismologist Rodrigo Alejandro Leon Loya about the 7.

In this Short Wave bonus episode, hosts Ari Daniel and Regina Barber, joined by Scott, discuss the Perseid meteor shower, explaining its origins in comet debris and offering viewing tips.

NPR’s Shortwave discusses the upcoming total solar eclipse visible in Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.

NPR’s Shortwave explores the controversial concept of "mirror cells," synthetic organisms with reversed molecular chirality.

Host Emily Kwong introduces The Midnight Rebellion, an interactive fiction podcast where listeners choose the narrative path in a climate-altered future.

NPR’s Shortwave features gastroenterologist Dr.

Hosts Regina Barber and Emily Kwong explore the scientific consensus on how Earth formed from colliding space rocks and the history of lunar crater debates.

NPR’s Shortwave explores an experiment in Senegal where researchers introduce fish into rice paddies to combat schistosomiasis, boost crop yields, and reduce farmer poverty.

This Shortwave episode explores the rising threat of cybercrime, highlighting how AI empowers hackers to launch sophisticated attacks like deepfakes and phishing.

Hosts Regina Barber, Scott Detrow, and Ari Daniel discuss NASA’s recruitment for a year-long simulated Mars mission to study isolation and communication delays.

NPR’s Short Wave explores the complex global trends in wildfires, noting that while total land burned has decreased due to fewer grassland fires,…

NPR’s Shortwave explores a groundbreaking conservation project in Indonesia’s Raja Ampat, where leopard shark eggs from global aquariums are hatched and released to restore endangered populations.

NPR’s Shortwave explores Stanford immunologist Bali Pulendran’s research into a universal vaccine that activates the ancient innate immune system.

NPR’s Shortwave explores three scientific discoveries: ancient avocado genetics that could secure future guacamole supplies, mummified Egyptian…

NPR’s Shortwave examines the surge in synthetic peptide use among fitness influencers and the associated safety concerns.

NPR’s Shortwave investigates a massive cyclosporiasis outbreak across the U.

NPR’s Shortwave explores the rapid rise of small modular nuclear reactors, driven by AI’s surging energy demand and a Trump executive order.

NPR’s Shortwave explores the complex turfgrass science behind the 2026 World Cup pitches with University of Tennessee professor John Sorokin.

In this farewell episode, retiring NPR neuroscience reporter John Hamilton shares his favorite brain stories from 15 years of reporting.

NPR’s Shortwave explores the secret longevity of Heliconius butterflies, which live 25 times longer than other species by consuming pollen.

This Shortwave episode explores the scientific challenge of measuring consciousness, particularly in patients with severe brain injuries.

Hosts Regina Barber and Nate Rott, joined by Scott Detrow, discuss three science stories.

NPR’s Shortwave details NASA’s historic mission to save the Swift telescope, which is falling from orbit due to solar activity.

Ross Anderson discusses Loyal’s new pill designed to extend dogs' lives by restoring insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation.

Hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber explore the resurgence of air taxis, tracing their history from 1950s helicopters to modern electric vertical takeoff aircraft.

Host Emily Kwong interviews psychologist Ken Carter about the science behind sensation-seeking personalities.

This Shortwave episode explores waste-to-energy facilities, which burn trash to generate electricity.

This Shortwave episode explores the biology of Lyme disease, detailing how ticks acquire and transmit the bacteria and why cases are expanding beyond traditional hotspots.

NPR’s Shortwave explores a new study in *Science* linking remote work to increased social isolation and mental distress.