Short Wave

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Micro forests: an emerging climate hero?

Micro-forests, small, human-designed forests in urban environments, are explored as a tool for cooling cities and increasing climate resilience. Rachel Carlson visits a micro-forest in Los Angeles and speaks with Damien Ouellette, a biologist, and Catherine Pokraduni, a horticulturist, who have been studying the forest...

Behold a T-Rex holotype, paleontology's "gold standard"

Did Earth’s Water Come From Space?

The origin of Earth's water is explored, presenting competing hypotheses about its source. It was initially believed that Earth was dry and water was delivered later by comets, but the deuterium to hydrogen ratio in comets didn't match Earth's water. Asteroids, specifically carbonaceous chondrites, became a more compel...

The trouble of zero

Science In 2025 Took A Hit. What Does It Mean?

Climate Anxiety Is Altering Family Planning

Why Kratom Is At The Heart Of A Big Public Health Debate

Why Drones Are Catching Whale Breaths

Drinking Turns Some Red With Asian Glow—And May Fight Tuberculosis

Why Suicide Prevention is 'Everyone's Business'

No, Raccoons Aren’t Pet-Ready (Yet)

GLP-1 Pills Are On The Way. Here's What To Know

The podcast explores the science and potential of new weight loss medications, specifically focusing on GLP-1 drugs and the development of oral alternatives to injections like Ozempic and Wigovi. Sydney Lupkin interviews Andrea Trena from Novo Nordisk, who explains how GLP-1 hormones work and how semaglutide was engine...

The Indicator: Take A Penny, Leave A Penny, Get Rid Of The Penny

"A Very, Very Big Deal." Countries Take On Fossil Fuels

Could Architecture In Space Make A Greener Earth?

Is The Quantum Future Here?

In this episode of NPR's Short Wave, hosts Emily Kwong and Katia Riddle discuss quantum science and computing, focusing on its progress and potential real-world applications. They explain quantum physics, quantum computing, and the concept of quantum supremacy, using metaphors to simplify complex ideas. The discussion ...

Could This Exoplanet Harbor Life?

How Replaceable Are You?

The Closest Thing To A Cure For Allergies