Science

Joro spiders are back in the news. Here's what the experts really think about them

9:00am June 08, 2024

Joro spiders — invasive, brightly colored, orb-weaving arachnids that have been spreading in the U.S. for the past several years — have captured the public's interest and horror once again. But spider experts say the jury's still out on the impact the spider will have.

Kyne wearing her hyperbolic plane dress. Author photo by Fabian Di Corcia.

Drag queen Kyne Santos explores how math is 'beautiful' in new book 'Math in Drag'

3:01am June 07, 2024

Kyne Santos was a student at the University of Waterloo when she began her math and her drag careers. She compares her double life to Hannah Montana, doing math equations at school by day and drag at night. You may already know Kyne from TikTok, where she makes educational videos about math, science, history and drag. And now, in her new book Math in Drag, Kyne explores the connections between math and drag: How both can be creative, beautiful and most of all, fun.

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

Queue Listen Now

Science

Crows can count vocally like toddlers, research shows

10:20pm June 06, 2024

by Ari Daniel

Crows can count... out loud! They do so similarly to human toddlers who are learning to tally things up. A neuroscientist trained birds to produce a number of calls in response to random visual cues.

Queue Listen Now

Screenshot 2024-06-06 at 10.52.27 AM.png

A heat dome can bring dangerously high temperatures. What is it?

5:48pm June 06, 2024

by Bill Chappell

Much of the Southwest U.S. is experiencing extreme heat this week — with temperatures blazing past 100 degrees. And a phenomenon known as a heat dome is to blame.

Queue Listen Now

A fungus is turning cicadas into horny zombies — but don’t panic

2:18pm June 06, 2024

by Rachel Treisman

The fungus takes over cicadas’ lower halves and sex drives, fueling them to keep mating and spreading the disease in the process. That's why some scientists call them “flying salt shakers of death.”

Joro spiders are big and colorful, but they shouldn't be nightmare fodder

1:33am June 06, 2024

by The Associated Press

Researchers say the creatures pose little threat to humans but they are concerned about the growing prevalence of invasive species — a problem made worse by global trade and climate change.

The arguments for swapping lawns for more natural landscaping

10:11pm June 05, 2024

by Teresa Homsi

It’s lawnmower season but some homeowners and others say it’s time to shift from well-trimmed lawns to more environmentally friendly landscaping.

Queue Listen Now

Why the science of tides was crucial for D-Day

3:01am June 05, 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.

Queue Listen Now

Science

Hubble will change how it points, but NASA says 'great science' will continue

10:10pm June 04, 2024

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

NASA is shifting the way the Hubble Space Telescope points. The change is a work-around for a piece of hardware that's become intolerably glitchy. Officials say Hubble will continue to do 'ground breaking science,' for about another decade.

Queue Listen Now

After saying Charlotte, a lone stingray, was pregnant, aquarium now says she's sick

2:47pm June 04, 2024

by Bill Chappell

Charlotte the ray was touted as a case of asexual reproduction. Her aquarium now says she's actually sick with a rare disease — not pregnant. "This is a very weird story," an expert tells NPR.