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Short Wave

Podcasts · Science

Short Wave

1,144 episodes · 20 with AI analysis

New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — in just under 15 minutes. It's science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber for science on a different wavelength. If you're hooked, try Short Wave Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/ shortwave

AI Intelligence · across all analyzed episodes

Topics · top 10

Dietary fiber intake and recommended daily amountsSoluble vs. insoluble fiber types and their effectsPrebiotic fiber and gut microbiome healthFiber supplementation vs. whole food sourcesRapid fiber intake increase and adverse health effectsMicronutrient deficiencies from excessive fiber consumptionConstipation and digestive healthPolyphenols and anti-inflammatory compounds in fruits and vegetablesWhole grains and fiber-rich foodsFiber-fortified processed foods and marketing

Analyzed Episodes

May 13, 2026

Should you be fibermaxxing? Here's what the science says

Dietary fiber intake and recommended daily amountsSoluble vs. insoluble fiber types and their effectsPrebiotic fiber and gut microbiome health
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May 8, 2026

Hantavirus: the risks, the science and what you need to know

Hantavirus transmission mechanisms and epidemiologyHantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) pathophysiologyAndes strain human-to-human transmission
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Dec 18, 2025

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

US Mint penny production economicsCurrency production costs vs. face valueSeigniorage and government revenue from coin production
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Dec 19, 2025

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

GLP-1 receptor agonist medications and mechanism of actionSemaglutide pill formulation and SNAC absorption technologyOrforglipron (Eli Lilly) non-peptide GLP-1 pill development
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Dec 22, 2025

No, Raccoons Aren’t Pet-Ready (Yet)

Domestication SyndromeUrban Wildlife AdaptationRaccoon Behavior and Evolution
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Dec 23, 2025

Why Suicide Prevention is 'Everyone's Business'

Suicide Prevention TrainingCaregiver Support and Emotional LaborSuicidal Crisis De-escalation Techniques
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Dec 24, 2025

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

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) Gene MutationAsian Flush/Asian Glow Genetic ConditionAlcohol Metabolism and Toxin Buildup
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Dec 26, 2025

Why Drones Are Catching Whale Breaths

Drone-based whale breath sampling for disease detectionCetacean morbillivirus surveillance in Arctic watersNon-invasive wildlife health monitoring technology
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Dec 29, 2025

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

Kratom and 7-hydroxymitragyinine (7-OH) regulation and schedulingOpioid crisis alternatives and harm reduction strategiesFDA and DEA drug scheduling processes and public advocacy
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Dec 30, 2025

Climate Anxiety Is Altering Family Planning

Climate Anxiety and Mental HealthReproductive Decision-Making Under Climate UncertaintyPopulation Growth vs. Fossil Fuel Consumption
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Dec 31, 2025

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

Federal science funding cuts and budget disruptionsNIH grant cancellations and research terminationDEI-related research funding elimination
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Jan 2, 2026

The trouble of zero

Neuroscience of numerical cognitionNumber neurons and brain specializationAbstract mathematical thinking in the brain
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Jan 5, 2026

Did Earth’s Water Come From Space?

Water origin on EarthProtoplanetary disc formationSnow line in solar system
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Jan 6, 2026

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

Paleontology research methods and specimen classificationMuseum collection management and curationFossil preservation and conservation techniques
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Jan 7, 2026

Micro forests: an emerging climate hero?

Micro forest design and implementationUrban biodiversity restorationCarbon sequestration in cities
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Jan 9, 2026

Hot galaxies alert!

Galaxy cluster formation and early universe evolutionSupermassive black holes in young galaxy clustersElephant olfactory capabilities and food detection
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Jan 12, 2026

These little microbes may help solve our big problems

Microbial carbon capture technologyExtremophile microorganismsBioremediation and hazardous waste cleanup
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Jan 13, 2026

The ozone layer is still healing…thanks to science

Ozone Layer RecoveryMontreal Protocol ImplementationChlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Phase-Out
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Jan 14, 2026

When is your brain actually an "adult"?

Brain development stages and turning pointsFrontal lobe maturation and executive functionMyelination and neural connectivity optimization
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Jan 16, 2026

10 breakthrough technologies to expect in 2026

Sodium-ion battery technology and EV supply chainPrivate space stations and commercial space infrastructurePersonalized gene editing and CRISPR base editing
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