Episodes

  • The genetic secret helping bats survive a deadly epidemic

    The genetic secret helping bats survive a deadly epidemic
    Oct 5 2026
    We’re easing you into Halloween season with an episode about bats. There’s a silent serial killer decimating little brown bats as they hibernate. White nose syndrome has driven populations across the U.S. to almost the brink of extinction over the last decade. But recently, conservation biologist Giorgia Auteri and her team noticed several genetic mutations in the survivors. These mutations could explain how natural selection has shifted the existing population – and inform conservation efforts in the future.

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

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    14 mins
  • Eating alone may be secretly spiking your blood sugar

    Eating alone may be secretly spiking your blood sugar
    Oct 2 2026
    Being more social has a ton of benefits: lower stress, decreased inflammation – even living a longer life! Recently, some scientists have added lowering your blood sugar to the list. To figure it out, researchers had people break bread both in duos and alone. And they think the results could tell us something about the roots of our social nature. Consider it another reason to prioritize our social lives.

    Interested in more science in the news? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.

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    10 mins
  • How much of Earth's life is still undiscovered?

    How much of Earth's life is still undiscovered?
    Sep 30 2026
    If you, like us, clicked on the cute cat photos posted everywhere recently, announcing the discovery of the first new cat species in more than a century, you might have wondered how rare it is to find a new species. Turns out, it’s not! We live in an era of “unprecedented” discovery, says John Wiens, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona. And scientists say we’re still just scratching at the surface of how much life exists on Earth.

    Interested in more science in the news? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.

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    14 mins
  • What social media gets wrong about inflammation

    What social media gets wrong about inflammation
    Sep 29 2026
    Inflammation is all over our feeds. Influencers claim it’s the reason you're bloated or fatigued, the source of digestive problems and the cause of more serious illnesses like Alzheimer's or cardiovascular disease. But how much of that is scientifically backed, and how viable are the solutions you see on social media? Short Wave talks to immunologist Shruti Naik to separate the health from the hype.

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

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    15 mins
  • A fall mystery: why do only certain leaves turn red?

    A fall mystery: why do only certain leaves turn red?
    Sep 28 2026
    Leaves turn yellow in the fall because Chlorophyll breaks down, revealing the yellow pigment that was there all along. But why red? Red is a different story altogether. Leaves have to make a new pigment to turn red. Why would a dying leaf go an extra mile to do that? Scientists don’t really know. NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce reports on the leading hypotheses out there.

    Read more of Nell's reporting on this topic.

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

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    14 mins
  • 'Super' El Niño is coming. What should you expect?

    'Super' El Niño is coming. What should you expect?
    Sep 25 2026
    The world is bracing for the worst effects of a Super El Niño. Or a Godzilla El Niño. But what does that really even mean?

    For millennia El Niño has shaped weather across the globe, fueling flooding in parts of the U.S., droughts and wildfires in Australia and Indonesia, and disrupting fisheries across the Pacific.

    Scientists have long wondered if human activities — chiefly the burning of fossil fuels — are making El Niños stronger. Now, on the eve of the strongest El Niño on record, a team of researchers think they have an answer.

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

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    13 mins
  • Vaccinated or not, we’re on the brink of a measles epidemic

    Vaccinated or not, we’re on the brink of a measles epidemic
    Sep 23 2026
    Measles is making a comeback. Ongoing outbreaks in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah have documented hundreds of cases, mostly among unvaccinated people. And while local and federal politicians debate the definitions and impact of those measles-associated deaths, health experts worry that we’re overlooking the real problem: the threat of a full-scale epidemic. Today, we talk to one of those experts – epidemiologist Michael Mina – to figure out who’s most at risk and whether there’s any way for us to turn this epidemic around.

    Interested in more health and medical news? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.

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    14 mins
  • The science of self-worth (and how to boost yours)

    The science of self-worth (and how to boost yours)
    Sep 22 2026
    Your self-worth today can be affected by your memories. But you have power over those memories – when you re-experience them. By doing that, you can reshape your self-esteem for the better and change your perspective. That idea and the broader science of self-worth are at the heart of Marisa Franco’s new book Worth. It’s so intriguing to us, we couldn’t pass up the chance to share it with you. That’s why today’s episode is a peek at a conversation Marisa had about self-worth on NPR’s self-help podcast Life Kit.

    Interested in more psychology episodes? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org – it may become a future episode!

    Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.


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    13 mins