Short Wave

New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — all in about 10 minutes, every weekday. It's science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join host Maddie Sofia for science on a different wavelength.

The Trait That Makes Robots More 'Human'

Neurotic, anxious robots like C-3P0 from Star Wars' C-3P0 and Marvin from The Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Why Gene-Edited Babies May Be Closer Than Ever

A Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, made a shocking announcement to the world in 2018: He had secretly...

Sea Camp: Did Life Start In Hydrothermal Vents?

How did life start on Earth? The answer is a big scientific mystery scientists are actively investigating....

Why Do Some 80 Year-Olds Have Extraordinary Memories?

The human brain tends to slow down as we age — even healthy brains shrink. That can make learning...

Climate Change Could Alter Spidey Love

Every September, the small town of La Junta, Colorado puts on a whole festival to celebrate a beloved...

'Zombie' cells could explain aging — and help scientists slow it

It’s no secret that stress isn’t good for you. But just how bad is it? Well, in the last few decades,...

The Giants Lurking In The Deep Sea

The bathypelagic zone of the ocean is 1,000 to 4,000 meters below the surface. Sometimes it's called...

Climate Change Is Here For Your Chocolate

Last year, we reported how extreme weather events may be dwindling the future of chocolate. Just last...

Why Illusions Are A Brain Feature, Not A Bug

A grayscale ballerina who appears to be moving. A human who can fit in a doll box. A black-and-white...

Nature Quest: Are Summers Getting Hotter?

Much of the country is deep in the middle of a heat wave right now. And every summer, Duane Stilwell's...

Sea Camp: The Largest Daily Migration On Earth

The twilight zone of the ocean is a mysterious place. At 200-1000 meters below the surface, it's a tough...

Did Spiders' Ancestors Come From The Ocean?

Whether you love spiders or can't be within 10 feet of them, you probably think of them crawling around...

Eating Disorder Recovery In A Diet Culture World

Eating disorders are complicated illnesses that skyrocketed among teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic....

Will Federal Budget Cuts Affect Space Science?

Earlier this year, the White House proposed a nearly 24% cut to NASA's 2026 fiscal year budget — the...

Sea Camp: Is Better Human Health Hidden In The Sea?

For this week's Sea Camp, we're diving below the ocean's surface to explore the sunlight zone, the portion...

Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media

Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential...

These Scientists Are Using AI To Listen To Frogs

If you were a miner in California during the Gold Rush, you might have dined on a California red-legged...

Who Is Using The 988 Crisis Line?

The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — 988 — launched on this day exactly three years ago. People...

How Realistic Are Movie Dinosaurs?

Jurassic Park: Rebirth is the latest installment in the Jurassic World series. And while dinosaur paleontologist...

These Critters Call The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Home

For this second installment of the Sea Camp series, we explore the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It's...

Meet the Third Ever (!!) Interstellar Comet

A rare visitor from another star system has been spotted: the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS! It was detected...

Evolution Went On Trial 100 Years Ago. Where Are We Now?

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Scopes "Monkey Trial" — where a teacher was charged with...

Itchy? Air Pollution May Be Making It Worse

Short Wave producer Hannah Chinn has adult-onset eczema. They're not the only one. Up to ten percent...

Sea Camp: Why Are Ocean Currents Shifting?

A warming climate doesn't just affect dry land — it affects the ocean, too. For years, Earth's ocean...

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