Why scientists are stoked about mysterious black hole stars
You've heard of black holes. You've heard of stars. But have you heard of the newly discovered black hole stars that may explain multiple my...
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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. J...
Short Wave Podcast Guide
Listen to Short Wave, a Science & Medicine podcast by NPR. Stream 1,544 episodes in English, follow new audio stories, and play episodes online on Radio and Podcast.
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More men are taking testosterone. What gives?
If you’re a guy – or even just friends with a guy – and on the Internet, you may have noticed that testosterone discourse is everywhere . Th...
A survivor's view from inside a tornado
What’s the dumbest thing Perry Samson says he’s ever done? Getting caught inside a tornado. But when you’re an atmospheric scientist who stu...
Could future wars be fought by AI?
This year, the Department of Defense announced that they’d entered agreements with eight artificial intelligence companies. It follows decad...
Inside Colombia's big quake – and why more could be coming
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Columbia was devastating. Host Regina Barber talks to earthquake geologist Rodrigo Alejandro Leon L...
How to see the year's best meteor shower tonight
Right now the best shooting star show of the year is happening: the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. People have been viewing this annual...
Can you spot AI-written stories? Listen and find out
Can you tell the difference between a human-written short story and an AI-generated one? Most people can’t. In a series of experiments led b...
How to see this week's eclipse (and the next big one)
During a total solar eclipse the world around you is very different. The sun gets totally blotted out and suddenly, it feels like night time...
Mirror cells could threaten life on Earth. Why are we building them?
For people with two hands, one is usually dominant. On a molecular level, earthly life takes this to the extreme. All of the DNA in living t...
The Midnight Rebellion: Almost Midnight
WBUR’s The Midnight Rebellion is a one-of-a-kind podcast: a “choose your own”-style show set 100 years in the future when the climate has go...
The red flags that may be hiding in your poop
When’s the last time you looked at your poop? Dr. Trisha Pasricha says you should look every time because it could save your life. A change...
Shooting stars are just pea-sized rocks... and other space wonders
Ahead of the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, we're re-airing our first episode with host Regina G. Barber . In it, Regina and planetary s...
More food and money, less disease: Senegal's surprising eco-experiment
In Senegal, rice farmers are trying to kill three birds with one stone – er, fish. Rice and fish are already a natural combination; they’re...
The new era of AI-powered cybercrime
Hacking has been on the rise around the world. In 2025, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 1 million complaints of cybe...
Want to spend a year living in NASA's Mars simulation?
Have you ever wanted to be an astronaut without risking your life in space? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you. NASA is calling...
Are extreme wildfires the new normal?
With parts of the U.S, Canada, Spain and France all ablaze with wildfires, you might be wondering: Are wildfires on the rise? If so, know th...
A cooler of eggs and a bold plan to save leopard sharks
Leopard sharks have nearly vanished from the waters in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The country is one of the largest shark fishing nations in the...
Could this nasal spray replace all your vaccines one day?
There’s the flu vaccine. The covid shot. The RSV shot… What if all of these—and more—could be combined into one universal vaccine? That’s wh...
The problem with modern avocados — and the ancient solution
Did you know that when you pick up avocados at the supermarket, make avocado toast at home or order guacamole in your burrito, you’re probab...
Does the science of peptides live up to the hype?
Synthetic peptides are getting some serious hype, from fitness influencers on your FYP to people seeking new options for chronic conditions....