Episodes

  • From The Physics Of G-Force To Weightlessness: How It Feels To Launch Into Space

    From The Physics Of G-Force To Weightlessness: How It Feels To Launch Into Space
    Jun 11 2024
    It feels like this is the summer of space launches. So, it's only appropriate that we kick off our new series Space Camp with a look at space launches. Throughout the series, Regina and Emily will plumb our universe to uncover the strange, wonderful things happening all around us. This episode, that entails answering a series of questions about getting to space: What does hurtling into space feel like? What physics are involved? And what's the "junk" in Earth's orbit?

    Space Camp episodes drop every Tuesday in the Short Wave feed in addition to our regular episodes happening every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

    For a full explainer of Newton's third law of motion, g-forces and visuals on his cannonball thought experiment, check out our digital story.

    Have a particular aspect of space you want us to cover in a future episode? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to hear from you!

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    14 mins
  • Illegal Wildlife Trade Is Booming. What Does That Mean For The Confiscated Animals?

    Illegal Wildlife Trade Is Booming. What Does That Mean For The Confiscated Animals?
    Jun 10 2024
    Wildlife trafficking is one of the largest and most profitable crime sectors in the world. The illegal trade estimated to be a multi-billion dollar industry. On a high level, that illegal trade causes problems for everything from global biodiversity to local economies and the balance of entire ecosystems. And on the immediate level, authorities are tasked with caring for confiscated animals and placing them in long-term care facilities.

    One network launched last year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association for Zoos and Aquariums hopes to help. And with wildlife trafficking surging globally, the organizations are now in talks to expand the program to other parts of the country.

    Read more about illegal wildlife trafficking and check out more photos in climate correspondent Nate Rott's full story.

    Have other wildlife stories you want us to cover? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    11 mins
  • 'Math In Drag' Explores The Creativity And Beauty In Numbers

    'Math In Drag' Explores The Creativity And Beauty In Numbers
    Jun 7 2024
    Kyne Santos was a student at the University of Waterloo when she began her math and her drag careers. She compares her double life to Hannah Montana, doing math equations at school by day and drag at night. You may already know Kyne from TikTok, where she makes educational videos about math, science, history and drag. And now, in her new book Math in Drag, Kyne explores the connections between math and drag: How both can be creative, beautiful and most of all, fun.

    Want to hear us cover more math? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    12 mins
  • Why The Science Of Tides Was Crucial For D-Day

    Why The Science Of Tides Was Crucial For D-Day
    Jun 5 2024
    June 6, 1944 the Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy and took the Nazis by surprise in the largest sea-to-land invasion in history. This would be remembered as D-Day and would ultimately lead to the end of World War II in Europe. However, this planned attack wouldn't have been possible without deep knowledge of ocean tides! We get into the whole story, including why tides sit at the intersection of astronomy and marine ecology — and why understanding tides are key to a greener future.

    Want to hear us cover more science history? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    13 mins
  • Psychedelic Treatment For PTSD Faces Misconduct Hurdle

    Psychedelic Treatment For PTSD Faces Misconduct Hurdle
    Jun 3 2024
    People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may soon have a new treatment option: MDMA, the chemical found in ecstasy. In August, the Food and Drug Administration plans to decide whether MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD will be approved for market based on years of research. But serious allegations of research misconduct may derail the approval timeline.

    NPR science reporter Will Stone talks to host Emily Kwong about the clinical trials on MDMA-assisted therapy research and a recent report questioning the validity of the results.

    Read Will's full story here.

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    14 mins
  • A Silky Shark Named Genie Swam 17,000 Miles, a Record-Breaking Migration

    A Silky Shark Named Genie Swam 17,000 Miles, a Record-Breaking Migration
    May 31 2024
    A silky shark named Genie traveled from the Galapagos Islands out to the open ocean and back – over 17,000 miles – over the course of a year and a half. That's an average of 31 miles per day, making Genie's journey the longest recorded migration for a silky shark.

    Marine scientist Pelayo Salinas de León and his team named Genie in honor of the late marine biologist Eugenie Clark – also known as "The Shark Lady." She devoted her life to the study of sharks and to improving their reputation.

    Have another story you want us to cover? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    9 mins
  • A Vaginal Microbiome Transplant Could Help People With BV

    A Vaginal Microbiome Transplant Could Help People With BV
    May 29 2024
    Humans rely on our symbiotic relationship with good microbes—in the gut, the skin and ... the vagina. Fatima Aysha Hussain studies what makes a healthy vaginal microbiome. She talks to host Emily Kwong about her long-term transplant study that asks the question: Can one vagina help another through a microbe donation?

    Have a human body question? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    13 mins
  • With Summer Approaching, Here's A Smarter Way To Use Sunscreen

    With Summer Approaching, Here's A Smarter Way To Use Sunscreen
    May 27 2024
    Each year 84,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with melanoma. About 90% of these skin cancers are linked to the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Sunscreen does protect the skin, but dermatologists have found six very common mistakes people make when it comes to using it. NPR science correspondent Allison Aubrey talks to host Regina G. Barber about the science behind sunscreen and how to avoid making these mistakes this summer. They also get into which sunscreens may be better than others.

    Have other science stories you want us to cover? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    12 mins