Episodes

  • Why The Science Of Tides Was Crucial For D-Day

    Why The Science Of Tides Was Crucial For D-Day
    Jun 5 2024
    June 6, 1944 the Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy and took the Nazis by surprise in the largest sea-to-land invasion in history. This would be remembered as D-Day and would ultimately lead to the end of World War II in Europe. However, this planned attack wouldn't have been possible without deep knowledge of ocean tides! We get into the whole story, including why tides sit at the intersection of astronomy and marine ecology — and why understanding tides are key to a greener future.

    Want to hear us cover more science history? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    13 mins
  • Psychedelic treatment for PTSD faces misconduct hurdle

    Psychedelic treatment for PTSD faces misconduct hurdle
    Jun 3 2024
    People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may soon have a new treatment option: MDMA, the chemical found in ecstasy. In August, the Food and Drug Administration plans to decide whether MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD will be approved for market based on years of research. But serious allegations of research misconduct may derail the approval timeline.

    NPR science reporter Will Stone talks to host Emily Kwong about the clinical trials on MDMA-assisted therapy research and a recent report questioning the validity of the results.

    Read Will's full story here.

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    14 mins
  • A Silky Shark Named Genie Swam 17,000 Miles, a Record-Breaking Migration

    A Silky Shark Named Genie Swam 17,000 Miles, a Record-Breaking Migration
    May 31 2024
    A silky shark named Genie traveled from the Galapagos Islands out to the open ocean and back – over 17,000 miles – over the course of a year and a half. That's an average of 31 miles per day, making Genie's journey the longest recorded migration for a silky shark.

    Marine scientist Pelayo Salinas de León and his team named Genie in honor of the late marine biologist Eugenie Clark – also known as "The Shark Lady." She devoted her life to the study of sharks and to improving their reputation.

    Have another story you want us to cover? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    9 mins
  • A Vaginal Microbiome Transplant Could Help People With BV

    A Vaginal Microbiome Transplant Could Help People With BV
    May 29 2024
    Humans rely on our symbiotic relationship with good microbes—in the gut, the skin and ... the vagina. Fatima Aysha Hussain studies what makes a healthy vaginal microbiome. She talks to host Emily Kwong about her long-term transplant study that asks the question: Can one vagina help another through a microbe donation?

    Have a human body question? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    13 mins
  • With summer is approaching, here's a smarter way to use sunscreen

    With summer is approaching, here's a smarter way to use sunscreen
    May 27 2024
    Each year 84,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with melanoma. About 90% of these skin cancers are linked to the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Sunscreen does protect the skin, but dermatologists have found six very common mistakes people make when it comes to using it. NPR science correspondent Allison Aubrey talks to host Regina G. Barber about the science behind sunscreen and how to avoid making these mistakes this summer. They also get into which sunscreens may be better than others.

    Have other science stories you want us to cover? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    12 mins
  • How Israel Is Using Facial Recognition In Gaza

    How Israel Is Using Facial Recognition In Gaza
    May 24 2024
    After the Hamas attack of Oct. 7 triggered Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians began fleeing from the North of Gaza to the South. As they fled, many Palestinians reported passing through checkpoints with cameras. Israel had previously used facial recognition software in the West Bank, and some Palestinians reached out to The New York Times reporter Sheera Frenkel to investigate whether the same was happening in Gaza.

    Science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel talks to Frenkel about how Israel launched this facial recognition system in Gaza late last year with the help of private companies and Google photos.

    Read Frenkel's full article.

    Want to hear us cover more stories about AI? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    15 mins
  • Who's At Risk For Uterine Fibroids? Most Women

    Who's At Risk For Uterine Fibroids? Most Women
    May 22 2024
    Fibroids are benign uterine tumors. So why does it matter that the majority of people with a uterus will have one before they are 50 years old? Physician Rachell Bervell, founder of the Black OBGYN Project, explains that when symptoms arise, they can be quite serious — from extreme menstrual bleeding to fertility problems. Plus, why they're very likely to affect you or a loved one.

    Curious about other health issues? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    13 mins
  • What are sperm whales saying? Researchers find a complex 'alphabet'

    What are sperm whales saying? Researchers find a complex 'alphabet'
    May 20 2024
    Scientists are testing the limits of artificial intelligence when it comes to language learning. One recent challenge? Learning ... whale! Researchers are using machine learning to analyze and decode whale sounds — and it's just as complicated as it seems.

    Curious about other mysteries of nature? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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    14 mins