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The Peculiar Physics Of The Wiffle Ball
Episode 622
Shall we play a game - of Wiffle ball? Invented in 1953, this lightweight alternative to a baseball is perfectly suited for back yard romping. Today we explain why the design of the Wiffle ball guar…
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago
The Community Scientists Who Helped Discover A New Planet
Episode 621
When a team of exoplanetary treasure hunters joined forces with professional astronomers, they discovered a whole new world. Short Wave host Emily Kwong talks with astronomer Paul Dalba and community…
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago
To Be DST, Or Not To Be. That Is The Question.
Episode 620
This month, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill to make daylight saving time permanent. Now sleep scientists are weighing in and are suggesting the opposite — that standard time might be a be…
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago
Indoor Air Quality is Cool for Schools
Episode 619
The benefits of indoor air quality in schools are substantial, but American school buildings are old and many face major challenges when it comes to upgrades.
Science and health correspondent Maria G…
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago
Hal Walker: The Man Who Shot The Moon
Episode 618
In addition to flying, landing, and returning from the moon in 1969 — NASA's Apollo 11 crew helped with a series of scientific experiments. One of them was to leave a special instrument with lots of …
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago
Can Nuclear Power Save A Struggling Coal Town?
Episode 317
A struggling Wyoming coal town may soon go nuclear with help from an unlikely partner, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates. NPR Correspondent Kirk Siegler takes us to Kemmerer, Wyo., where Gates' p…
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago
Should Bulldogs Exist?
Episode 616
Cute, wrinkly faces aside, bulldogs have myriad health problems. Science points to purebred breeding practices as the reason. NPR Science correspondent Lauren Sommer talks to host Aaron Scott about h…
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago
COVID-19 Cases Rise In The U.K., U.S. Watches For New Wave
Episode 615
The omicron outbreak has slowed dramatically in the U.S. But cases are rising in Britain due to an omicron subvariant. There are signs the U.S. could also see a bump in cases in the coming weeks.
Sta…
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago
Parents Of Transgender Youth Fear Texas' Anti-Trans Orders
Episode 614
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the state's Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate certain gender-affirming care as possible child abuse, leaving parents of transgender y…
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago
How Art Can Heal The Brain
Episode 613
Arts therapies appear to ease a host of brain disorders from Parkinson's to PTSD. But these treatments that rely on music, poetry or visual arts haven't been backed by rigorous scientific testing. No…
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago