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Embracing Death: Why We Age
Episode 1158
Humans have seen a significant increase in life expectancy over the past 200 years — but not in overall lifespan. Nobody on record has lived past 122 years. So, for this early Halloween episode, host…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
Honey, They Cloned The Apples!
Episode 1157
What's your favorite apple? Maybe it's the crowd-pleasing Honeycrisp, the tart Granny Smith or the infamous Red Delicious. Either way, before that apple made it to your local grocery store or orchard…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
Saving The Hawaiian Tree Snails
Episode 1156
More than a million species are at risk of extinction, many within decades, because of human actions. Among them? The kāhuli, Hawaii's native tree snails that are some of the most endangered animals …
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
A Brand New Kind of Schizophrenia Treatment
Episode 1155
For the past 70 years, schizophrenia treatments all targeted the same chemical: dopamine. While that works for some, it causes brutal side effects for others. An antipsychotic drug approved last mont…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
'Ghost Genes' Could Help Save The American Red Wolf
Episode 1154
Every American red wolf alive right now is descended from only 14 canids. In the 1970s, humans drove the red wolf to the brink of extinction. Because of that, red wolves today have low genetic divers…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
Game Night With 'Shrooms
Episode 1153
Calling all foragers! The new board game Undergrove, co-designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and Mark Wooten, is all about the symbiotic relationships between trees and fungi. Players assume the role of ma…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
New Frogs Just Dropped
Episode 1152
In the humid rainforests of northern and eastern Madagascar reside seven newly described frog species. They often hang out near fast, flowing rivers. These treefrogs' high-pitched, "futuristic" sound…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
Europa Clipper And The Search For Life In Space
Episode 1151
NASA's Europa Clipper mission launched Monday, beginning its years-long journey to the distant icy moon it's named after. This mission is designed to tell scientists more about the structure, the int…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
5-Year-Olds Asked Us Science Questions. We Answer
Episode 1150
In honor of our show turning 5 (!!) today...
5 Short Wave staffers
answer 5(x2) questions
from some of our 5-year-old listeners
and explain the science ... like they're 5.
SPOILER ALERT: The questions a…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
Why Traditional Plant Knowledge Is Not A Quick Fix
Episode 1149
Host Regina G. Barber talks with Rosalyn LaPier about ethnobotany--what it is and how traditional plant knowledge is frequently misunderstood in the era of COVID and psychedelics. And, how it's relev…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago