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Why Music Sticks in Our Brains
Episode 501
Why do some songs can stick with us for a long time, even when other memories start to fade? Science reporter (and former Short Wave intern) Rasha Aridi explains the neuroscience behind that surprisi…
Published on 4 years, 2 months ago
Here's a better way to talk about hair
Episode 500
Humans have scalp hair. But why is human scalp hair so varied? Biological anthropologist Tina Lasisi wanted to find out. And while completing her PhD at Penn State University, she developed a better …
Published on 4 years, 2 months ago
How foraging reconnected Alexis Nikole Nelson with food and her culture
Episode 499
Our colleagues at the TED Radio Hour introduce us to forager and TikTok influencer Alexis Nikole Nelson. She shares how the great outdoors has offered her both an endless array of food options and an…
Published on 4 years, 2 months ago
The Toll Of Burnout On Medical Workers — And Their Patients
Episode 498
Burnout has long been a problem among health care workers. The pandemic has only made it worse. Some were hopeful COVID vaccines would provide some relief, but that hasn't been the case. Now, health …
Published on 4 years, 2 months ago
SURPRISE! It's A...Babbling Baby Bat?
Episode 497
A paper published recently in the journal Science finds similarities between the babbling of human infants and the babbling of the greater sac-winged bat (Saccopteryx bilineata) — a small species of …
Published on 4 years, 2 months ago
Goodbye, Climate Jargon. Hello, Simplicity!
Episode 496
People are likely to be confused by common climate change terms like "mitigation" and "carbon neutral," according to a recent study. So how can everyone do a better job talking about climate change s…
Published on 4 years, 3 months ago
How To Help Someone At Risk Of Suicide
Episode 495
Suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020, according to the most current data. But research shows that suicide is preventable. Host Emily Kwong talks with NPR health corresponde…
Published on 4 years, 3 months ago
Scientists Are Racing To Save Sequoias
Episode 494
Based on early estimates, as many as 10,600 large sequoias were killed in last year's Castle Fire — up to 14% of the entire population. The world's largest trees are one of the most fire-adapted to w…
Published on 4 years, 3 months ago
A Science Reporter And A 'Mild' Case Of Breakthrough COVID
Episode 493
Will Stone is a science reporter for NPR. He's been reporting about the pandemic for a while now, so he knows the risks of a breakthrough infection, is vaccinated, and follows COVID guidelines as the…
Published on 4 years, 3 months ago
After Years Of Delays, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope To Launch In December
Episode 492
In December, NASA is scheduled to launch the huge $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope, which is sometimes billed as the successor to the aging Hubble Space Telescope. NPR correspondents Rhitu Chat…
Published on 4 years, 3 months ago