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Science
Science in fifteen minutes
Short science from NPR's Short Wave — one question, explained, in about fifteen minutes.
Episodes
2026 · shortwavePlot Twist: We're Probably Way Undercounting Insects on Earth
In one sentence: Short Wave's biweekly science news roundup, hosted by Regina Barber and Nat…
Inside the Mind of a Horse
In one sentence: How do horses perceive the world, remember what they learn, and feel emotio…
Moon Robots, a Cosmic Slowdown Debate, and NASA's Newest Astronaut
One-liner: Short Wave host Regina Barber's biweekly space-news roundup with All Things Consi…
Is sewage the future of green aviation?
One-liner: Planes could technically run on something other than fossil fuel already — so why…
Could air pollution make your memory worse?
In one sentence: Short Wave's biweekly science news roundup, hosted by regulars Emily Kwong…
Neptune's Mystery Moon, an Exoplanet's Gemstone Clouds, and the Science of Northern Lights
One-liner: Short Wave host Regina Barber's monthly space roundup, "Spacing Out with Gina," w…
NASA is practicing moonwalks. When are we going back?
In one sentence: NPR Short Wave's "Spacing Out with Gina" space-news segment (host Regina Ba…
Space news: Project Hail Mary, Artemis, data centers
One-liner: Short Wave host Regina Barber launches a new segment, "Spacing Out with Gina," wi…
Why You Probably Won't Be Living on Mars Anytime Soon
In one sentence: Kelly and Zach Weinersmith, authors of A City on Mars, walk through what it…
Should Humans Plan to Live on Mars? Probably Not Anytime Soon
In one sentence: Biologist Kelly Weinersmith and her partner Zach Weinersmith spent four yea…
Two Countries, Two Moon Landings — and Two Other Science Stories
One-liner: Short Wave hosts Regina Barber and Aaron Scott, joined by All Things Considered h…
Enceladus, A 'Quasi-Moon', Astronauts' Brains In Space
In one sentence: Short Wave's science news roundup, hosted by Regina Barber and Emily Kwong…
A Magnetosphere You Can Hear, an Icy-Moon Mission, and a Runaway Black Hole
One-liner: Short Wave hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber team up with All Things Considered…
Does Your Dog Really Love You?
In one sentence: Is a dog's attachment to us "love" in any sense a scientist would sign off…
Crows: Scary, or Scary Smart?
In one sentence: Crows hold grudges by face, gather around their dead, and build their own t…