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.

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...

Why Dew Point Is This Summer's 'It Girl'

Happy Independence Day, Short Wavers! Do you have plans outdoors this weekend and want to figure out...

Is The Milky Way On A Collision Course?

The Andromeda galaxy lies just beyond (...OK, about 2.5 million light-years beyond) our galaxy, the...

On July 4th, Are You A Thrill- Or Chill-Seeker?

Independence Day is approaching! Imagine in a few days, someone has procured illegal fireworks from...

RFK Jr.'s New Vaccine Advisors Signal Big Changes

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Policy, an influential CDC committee that shapes U.S. vaccine...

Aha! The Power Of A Short Rest

Since 2004, scientific research has shown that a full night of sleep may lend itself to a burst of insight...

When Eavesdropping Pays Off

Why did the ornithologist strap a taxidermy badger to a remote controlled car and drive it around the...

Does It Feel Like Mosquitoes Are Getting Worse?

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on the planet, and some of them may be on the rise. At least in...

Listen americans radio station online