Category: Science

Encased in the skull, perched atop the spine, the brain has a carefully managed existence. It receives only certain nutrients, filtered through the blood-brain barrier; an elaborate system of protective membranes surrounds it. That privileged space contains a mystery. For more than a century, scientists have wondered: If it’s so hard for anything to get into the brain, how does waste get out? Source

The number of insect species is mind-boggling — and they are a critical part of the environment.

The latest time crystal innovation may expand the known boundaries of quantum mechanics.

A study of thousands of people finds that neural connections in the brain start to break down quickly around age 44, but the research hints that ketone supplements could potentially help slow that brain aging.

On March 29, 2025, a deep partial solar eclipse will be seen at sunrise in North America and midmorning in Europe. Here’s what time to watch the celestial spectacle unfold.

A man went to the hospital several times with gut pain and a fever — and it turned out that his relatively common symptoms had an unusual cause.

A new species of dinosaur named Duonychus tsogtbaatari has been discovered by scientists, and unlike other therizinosaurs, this species has only two clawed fingers instead of three.

Microalgae are tiny organisms that convert energy from sunlight into fuel. The arctic ecosystem depends on them. In springtime, the algae bloom brilliant shades of green and draw tiny crustaceans, fish, birds and more to arctic waters. But what happens in wintertime, when the sun goes down and darkness reins for months? In the depths of the polar night, biogeochemist Clara Hoppe has found evidence that some microalgae are still ready to photosynthesize. Today on the show: how tiny microalgae limbo for their lives and come out more powerful than scientists ever imagined. Want to hear more stories of nature pushing the boundaries of what scientists previously thought possible? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org ! Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave . (Image credit: Saga Svarsdottir)

A tour of a grow facility in Maryland reveals the wide variety of scents from different cannabis strains. (Image credit: Pien Huang)

In deference to Tweety McTreason’s anti-DEI order, the space agency has removed a promise to send the “the first woman, first person of color” to walk on the moon aboard the Artemis III mission. (Image credit: Gregg Newton)

Scientists noticed the clicking sound after handling the rig sharks during routine behavioral experiments.

The spectacular image shows a “cosmic tornado” being burped out from a baby star.

Skygazers have been waiting for over a year to see a recurrent nova that creates a temporary, super-bright star every 80 years or so. A new study suggests that it could finally happen this week — but nothing is certain.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson points to the Expedition 71 patch on her flight suit as she answers a question from students, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Dyson and fellow crewmates Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station.